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    Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing

    Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing (Oil-Free!)

    May 14, 2023 by Kaitlin

    A fresh and easy Carrot Ginger Miso Salad Dressing inspired by the ones found in a Japanese-style steakhouse restaurant! This version is oil-free, vegan, and gluten-free but full of refreshing flavor and depth.

    Spoon lifting up carrot ginger miso dressing out of a small glass jar

    Have you ever had that bright, flavorful carrot-ginger dressing from a Japanese-style steakhouse restaurant? I haven't had it in years, but the flavor is still strong in my memory.

    So I used that inspiration to create this tasty oil-free version! It's tangy, sweet, and has such delicious texture.

    It's so refreshing and a great way to perk up a simple salad. Or you could even enjoy it as a vegetable dip!

    Tamari, onion, ginger, tahini, and fresh ingredients laid out on a metal tray

    Ingredients for Carrot Ginger Dressing

    For this recipe you'll blend in a high-speed blender or food processor:

    • Carrot: You'll need about two medium carrots for this recipe. Be sure yours are fresh, flavorful, and slightly sweet. (Oftentimes improperly stored carrots can take on a bitter flavor.)
    • Fresh ginger: You'll use about a 1-inch piece.
    • Onion: I blend in white onion or yellow onion. But you could also substitute shallot if desired.
    • Tamari: This adds delicious depth and umami flavor. If you don't have tamari, you can substitute with soy sauce, but I use tamari for gluten free. Be sure to use low-sodium if desired.
    • Rice vinegar: I use organic unseasoned rice vinegar. (Seasoned rice vinegar includes added sugar and salt.)
    • White miso paste: This adds a really nice salty, savory taste.
    • Tahini: This is a thick and creamy condiment made from toasted ground sesame seeds. Be sure to find a good quality tahini that's smooth and not too bitter. (It should have a strong, earthy, nutty flavor.)
    • Pure maple syrup: This is a fantastic natural sweetener. But feel free to use your own favorite sweetener instead.
    • Water: Add more or less to achieve your desired consistency.
    Overhead view of dressing ingredients in a blender cup before blending

    Customizing

    Flavors: Adjust the flavor as you see fit! Add more vinegar for tang, more maple syrup for sweetness, or salt and black pepper to taste.

    Sesame oil: This dressing typically includes sesame oil, but I opted for creamy tahini instead. But you can include a teaspoon or two of toasted sesame oil to the mixture while you puree it in the blender.

    Serving

    This dressing is great on a simple green salad. Drizzle it over iceberg lettuce, kale, romaine lettuce, mixed greens, etc. You can also toss in your favorite veggies or a protein like chickpeas, quinoa, broccoli, edamame, pumpkin seeds, almonds, or baked tofu.

    Spoon drizzling a Japanese-style carrot ginger miso dressing over a fresh greens salad

    Storing

    Store dressing in an airtight container or sealed mason glass jar in the refrigerator. I find it keeps for about 4-5 days. Stir again before serving.

    I recommend making this dressing ahead of time and letting it chill in the refrigerator for several hours. This gives the flavors a chance to blend and the onion taste mellows a bit.

    More Oil-Free Dressing

    • Vegan Italian Dressing
    • Roasted Red Pepper Dressing
    • Vegan French Dressing
    • Vegan Ranch Dressing
    • Maple Dijon Dressing (vegan honey mustard)
    Carrot ginger miso dressing in a small glass jar with serving spoon

    For more inspiration, browse all oil-free salad dressings or carrot recipes.

    Carrot ginger miso dressing in a small glass jar with serving spoon

    Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing (Oil-Free!)

    A Japanese-style steakhouse copycat recipe that is full of refreshing flavor and depth. Fresh, easy, and oil-free!
    4.91 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
    Course: Dressing
    Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Japanese-Inspired, Oil-Free, Vegan
    Servings: 6 (1/4-cup servings)

    Ingredients

    • 2 medium carrots (about 1 1/3 cups chopped)
    • 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger, grated
    • 1/4 cup onion (white or yellow)
    • 1 1/2 Tbsp. tamari
    • 1 1/2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp. white miso
    • 1 Tbsp. tahini
    • 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
    • 1/3 cup water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Peel and roughly chop carrots. Peel and grate ginger.
    • Place all ingredients in a small high-speed blender. Blend for 20-30 seconds until combined. (I use a small NutriBullet.) Add a splash more water if needed.
    • Can enjoy immediately, but tastes best after it chills for a few hours to let the flavors blend and onion mellow.

    Notes

    Yield: Recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups dressing.
    Storing: Store in a sealed container or glass jar in the fridge for 4-5 days.
    Recipe originally published June 2018. Updated May 2023.

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing (Oil-Free!)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    2
    g
    3
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    1
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Potassium
     
    114
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    7
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    3401
    IU
    68
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2
    mg
    2
    %
    Calcium
     
    19
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    0.4
    mg
    2
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Sodium: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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    If you are enjoying this vegan Japanese steakhouse-inspired Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing recipe, also check out:

    • Asian Kale Salad with Peanut Dressing

    Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

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      Creamy Balsamic Dressing (Oil-Free!)
    • Maple Dijon Dressing (Vegan Honey Mustard)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating:




    1. Sara

      August 05, 2021 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      I have tried so many versions of this dressing and none of them have ever been quite right. This one was PERFECT! I actually caught my 5 year old daughter eating it with a spoon straight from the bowl. So delicious and will be a staple in our house.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin

        August 05, 2021 at 12:43 pm

        So happy to hear this, Sara! Thank you for giving it a try and sharing your very kind feedback. Thrilled you're enjoying it!

        Reply
      • Barb

        March 19, 2022 at 12:39 pm

        5 stars
        OMG! You are so right, this dressing is perfect! I love hearing that your daughter was eating it right out of the jar.

        Reply
        • Kaitlin

          March 22, 2022 at 4:46 pm

          So glad you're enjoying it too, Barb! Thanks for the kind words.

          Reply
    2. Dana

      October 26, 2019 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      This is a delicious dressing! I added just a few sprinkles of toasted sesame oil but in hindsight think it wasn’t necessary. Will make this again!

      Reply
      • Kaitlin McGinn

        October 27, 2019 at 10:36 am

        Wonderful to hear that, Dana! Thrilled you enjoyed. Thanks so much for the kind feedback & leaving a recipe rating! -Kaitlin

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kaitlin!
    I share vegan recipes that are easy & healthy. (Mostly whole food plant-based, oil-free, & gluten-free.) About Me →

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