This recipe for Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing makes a tangy salad dressing loaded with ginger and garlic goodness. This dressing can be a part of a low-carb, keto, Atkins, gluten-free, or sugar-free diet.

 

Photo of Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing on a poon

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The Recipe for Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing

Looking for that tangy sesame ginger salad dressing, but don’t want the sugar? We’ve got you covered!

 

This recipe incorporates real ginger and garlic and blends them with the goodness of gluten-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos). Rice vinegar gives this dressing its zing and a bit of nutty flavor comes from the toasted sesame oil.

 

I used avocado oil in this recipe both for its neutral flavor and its healthy fat profile. I also added a bit of almond butter to add creaminess. 

 

To make it fast and easy, I whip this dressing up in the food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender.

 

You could also finely mince the ginger and garlic, then whisk the ingredients together. The consistency will be a bit less creamy if you do this, but it will still taste wonderful.

 

Photo of Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing on a bowl

 

The inspiration for this recipe

This recipe was inspired by the salad dressing often served at Asian restaurants. I find the ginger zing almost addictive and wanted to create my own at home.

 

In creating this recipe, I used a similar flavor profile to that in my recipe for my Easy Low-Carb Sesame Chicken Recipe. Of course, I needed to adjust the seasonings and add more vinegar and oil to make it a salad dressing.

 

Photo of Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing on a jar

 

Is Asian salad dressing keto-friendly?

Asian salad dressing may seem keto-friendly, but many of them actually contain a lot of sugar and carbs. 

 

The orange one that we often see at Japanese steak houses is made with carrots and often has honey or sugar added. While a small amount might not kick you out of ketosis, a salad drenched with this dressing might impact the level of ketones your body makes.

 

Even the sesame ginger dressing typically has some type of sugary substance added. Whether it’s honey, brown sugar, white sugar, or maple syrup, the sweetener will increase the number of carbohydrates in the dressing.

 

Personally, I would rather get my carbs from the vegetables in the salad and not the sugar in the dressing on top. At least the veggies have some nutrients in them to make it worthwhile.

 

While the Asian salad dressings in a restaurant aren’t particularly keto-friendly, this recipe is easy to make and creates a very low-carb dressing you can feel good about using on your salad.

 

Ginger dressing shown on a salad.

 

Is sesame ginger dressing healthy?

One thing that makes this dressing healthier than some of the store-bought alternatives is that it has real, raw garlic and ginger.

 

Ginger may give this dressing a zip of flavor, but it also adds some anti-oxidant,  anti-inflammatory, and other medicinal qualities

 

Garlic adds a plethora of benefits as well. It may have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, may have anti-tumor activity, and may help those with type 2 diabetes as well as other health problems.

 

Another feature that makes this dressing special is the use of avocado oil. Avocado oil is high in heart healthy monounsaturated fat. Some salad dressing include oils are highly processed or contain a large percentage of pr0-inflammatory fatty acids.

 

How to use this Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing.

Of course, this dressing can be served over salad, but it can be even more versatile. It can double as a marinade and would be delicious served as a sauce over meat. 

 

Seafood such as shrimp, salmon and cod, would be delicious marinated in this dressing for 30 minutes to an hour, then grilled or broiled until done.

 

Pork would also be delightful marinated in this dressing.  You can marinate pork longer–from 30 minutes to 3-4 hours. 

 

What to serve with this keto-friendly salad dressing.

This salad dressing will work well with any dish with an asian flair.

 

Put salad with this dressing along side of  this Low-Carb Teriyaki Salmon , our Low-Carb Orange Beef, or our Easy Low-Carb Sesame Chicken Recipe to make a whole meal.

 

Our Easy Low-Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe would work well with the flavor profile in this dressing as well. 

 

Sesame ginger salad dressing ready for serving.

 

Can I substitute the sweetener in this recipe?

I use allulose to balance the acidity of the vinegar in this recipe. I love allulose because it dissolves well and has no weird aftertaste like some other sweeteners. 

 

Allulose typically doesn’t affect the blood sugar of most people. It’s generally well-tolerated, but I do recommend that you try it in a small quantity at first, just in case.

 

This recipe could work with other sweeteners. Just remember that allulose is a little less sweet than sugar. If your sweetener is equally as sweet as sugar or sweeter than sugar (such as Pyure stevia/erythritol blend) you will want to decrease the amount you use. I would err on the low side. You can always taste and add more later.

 

Final words

I hope this salad dressing fills any craving you might have for ginger dressing. Enjoy!

-Annissa

Sesame Ginger Dressing recipe

Looking for a salad dressing, but don’t want the sugar? Try this Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing recipe – a tangy salad dressing loaded with ginger and garlic goodness! 😋❤️

Low-carb sesame ginger salad dressing on a glass gravy boat.
4.84 from 6 votes
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Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing

This recipe for Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing makes a tangy salad dressing loaded with ginger and garlic goodness. This dressing can be a part of a low-carb, keto, Atkins, gluten-free, or sugar-free diet.

Course Condiment
Cuisine Asian, Japanese
Keyword almond flour, keto salad dressing, low carb salad dressing, sesame ginger marinade, sesame ginger salad dressing
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 55 kcal
Author Annissa Slusher

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons raw ginger peeled and minced*
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed*
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium, gluten-free soy sauces (may substitute tamari or coconut aminos)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter (may substitute miso)
  • 2 teaspoons allulose (see write-up above for substitution information)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

Using a Food Processor

  1. Put the ginger and garlic in a food processor. Cover and pulse a few times to mince.

    Overhead shot of blended ingredients in food processor.
  2. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, avocado oil, toasted sesame oil. almond butter, and allulose to the food processor. Cover and process until smooth.

    Overhead shot of blended ingredients in food processor.
  3. Add the sesame seeds to to food processor. Cover and pulse once to stir in the seeds.

    Overhead shot of sesame seeds mixed with other ingredients in food processor.
  4. This dressing may be served immiediately. If not serving the dressing right away, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate. Shake before using.

    Top view of low-carb sesame ginger salad dressing on a glass gravy boat.

Without using a Food Processor

  1. If you don't have a food processesor, whisk the ginger, garlic and almond butter together, then slowly add the soy sauce, whisking to keep the mixture from separating.

  2. Gradually whisk in the avocado oil. Once the mixture is smooth, stream in the vinegar while whisking. Whisk in all remaining ingredients.

Recipe Notes

*If using a food processor, you can chop the garlic and ginger together in the first step. 

Nutrition Facts
Low-Carb Sesame Ginger Dressing
Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
Calories 55 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 114mg5%
Potassium 7mg0%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 0g0%
Sugar 0g0%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 0%0%
Vitamin C 0%0%
Calcium 1%0%
Iron 0%0%
Net Carbs 1g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.