Ingredients You’ll Need
- Honey: Add a touch of honey to balance the sharpness of the dressing.
- Rice Vinegar: A splash of rice vinegar adds the right amount of acidity.
- Ginger: Peel and grate a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root to give the dressing its signature flavor. You can use prepared ginger paste or ginger powder, but it won’t have the same freshness.
- Garlic: Include two fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
- Spices: Season the dressing with kosher salt and black pepper as needed.
- Olive Oil: Good quality extra virgin olive oil is an ideal foundation for the dressing.
Additions and Substitutions
- Adjust the sweetness. The dressing leans on the sweeter side, so feel free to cut back on the honey if you enjoy a sharper flavor. You can replace it with maple syrup, agave nectar, or a sugar-free option like monk fruit.
- Replace the acid. Use white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, or fresh lemon juice from one lemon instead of rice wine vinegar.
- Add a savory touch. Include a bit of soy sauce, coconut aminos, or tamari for a hint of umami.
- No blender, no problem. If you don’t want to blend the dressing or don’t have an immersion blender, whisk the ingredients directly in the jar. Start with everything but the olive oil, then slowly whisk in the oil to incorporate. The fresh garlic and ginger will settle at the bottom, so shake or stir the jar before serving.
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
Use an immersion blender, food processor, or high-speed blender to make the simple dressing. I recommend an immersion blender when making salad dressing or sauces that require emulsification.
Use the tall cup provided with the immersion blender, a wide-mouth jar, or one of these meal prep containers to ensure the blender works properly and to avoid a mess.
How to Make Honey Ginger Dressing
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine the honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, and black pepper with an immersion blender, food processor, or blender.
Step 2: Pour the olive oil into a tall cup or blender in a slow, steady stream while blending or whisking the ingredients.
Expert Tips
- Adjust the consistency. Add water a tablespoon at a time, thinning the dressing gradually until it reaches your desired consistency.
Tips for Emulsification
What is Emulsification?
Emulsification means combining ingredients that do not naturally mix, such as oil and balsamic vinegar, and making them stay together using an emulsifier.
What is an Emulsifier?
An emulsifier acts like a bridge between two opposing ingredients, holding them together in a smooth, stable mixture. The best emulsifiers contain water and oil-friendly properties to help the ingredients combine. The most common emulsifiers include egg yolks, mustard, mayonnaise, soybeans, honey, and xanthan gum.
How to Create a Stable Emulsification
If you want to learn how to make homemade vinaigrette, dressing, hollandaise sauce, aioli, or mayonnaise learning how to create a stable emulsification is key.
- Choose an Emulsifier: Select an emulsifying ingredient based on what you are making.
- Combine the Ingredients: Mix the water-based ingredients, such as vinegar or lemon juice with an emulsifier.
- Slowly Add Oil: Add a few drops, then pour the oil gradually in a slow, steady stream while whisking or blending the ingredients. The gradual addition helps to achieve a stable emulsion (so the two liquids combine instead of separate).
If you enjoy the honey ginger dressing, pair it with one of these fresh salad recipes!
How to Serve this Honey Ginger Salad Dressing
The sweet honey and ginger dressing is a perfect way to finish greens like spring mix, arugula, baby spinach, or shredded romaine. Pair it with your favorite salad recipes like quinoa arugula salad, fall kale salad, or this Savannah chopped salad copycat.
Use the versatile dressing to marinate chicken, fish, and veggies during the grilling season or drizzle the honey ginger dressing over vegetables to add a sweet and tangy flavor—air fryer Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes, and air fryer broccoli and cauliflower.
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the leftover honey ginger dressing in an airtight container or glass jar for one week. It may thicken once refrigerated because of the olive oil. Remove the dressing from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.
More Homemade Dressings:
Honey Ginger Dressing
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2-inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated (about 2 tablspoons)
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Combine the honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, and black pepper with an immersion blender, food processor, or blender.
- Pour the olive oil into a tall cup or blender in a slow, steady stream while blending or whisking the ingredients.
- Adjust the consistency. Add water a tablespoon at a time, thinning the dressing gradually until it reaches your desired consistency.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.