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Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing

Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing (Oil-Free!)

May 14, 2023 by Kaitlin · 21 Comments

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A fresh and easy Carrot Ginger Miso Salad Dressing inspired by the ones found in a Japanese-style steakhouse restaurant. This version is refined oil-free, vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened... 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 refined 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. I purchase Whole Foods 365 brand organic tahini which is made from organic ground sesame seeds and salt. (No refined oil added.)
  • 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!
4.95 from 17 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*
  • 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

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

*Carrots: 2 medium carrots equals about 1 1/3 cups chopped.
Yield: Recipe makes about 1.5 cups dressing.
Storing: Store in a sealed container or glass jar in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Refined oil-free: Ensure your tahini doesn't include added oil. I purchase the 365 brand organic tahini which is made from ground sesame seeds and salt.
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 content: 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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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Shannon says

    June 16, 2025 at 10:53 am

    5 stars
    This is still my favorite recipe for carrot ginger dressing! It's very balanced and really good for you!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      June 16, 2025 at 12:08 pm

      Amazing to hear how much you enjoy the dressing, Shannon! That's awesome. Thanks a lot for coming back to share your kind feedback - it's very appreciated!

      Reply
  2. Christine West says

    May 16, 2025 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe, and I love that it is oil free. I am always looking for "creamy" vegan sauces that are lower in calories and this will go into my regular rotation. I make it with or without the maple syrup depending on the dishes I'll be using it with (more savory vs. sweeter). It's the first recipe I've tried from Kaitlin and I'm excited to explore more!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      May 17, 2025 at 7:55 am

      Hello, Christine! Aww, this is fantastic. What a great idea adjusting the syrup depending on how you're using it. So glad you've been enjoying this recipe, and thanks for coming back to share your kind and thoughtful feedback. I hope you enjoy any other recipes you try!

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    April 29, 2025 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    Yum! This is a delicious recipe!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      April 29, 2025 at 12:15 pm

      So wonderful to hear you enjoyed it, Amy! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  4. Melinda says

    March 13, 2025 at 12:12 pm

    5 stars
    This dressing is delicious and simple to make! Also love that its oil free.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      March 14, 2025 at 10:54 am

      Fantastic to hear you gave it a try and enjoyed, Melinda! Thanks for coming back to share your kind review - it’s very appreciated!

      Reply
  5. Stae says

    July 24, 2024 at 3:18 pm

    Don’t say oil free! And then put tahini in the recipe……tahini is basically all oil 😑

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      July 24, 2024 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Stae. The oil-free recipes on my website are free of added refined oils, as that's how I define oil-free as do many others like Forks Over Knives, etc. (So they're not necessarily fat-free or free of natural oils found in whole foods like avocado, seeds, and nuts.) The tahini I use is organic ground sesame seeds and salt. No refined oil is added, and it's minimally processed.

      Reply
      • Leslie says

        September 05, 2024 at 6:53 am

        Just because others do it, doesn't make it right. This is just as bad as people saying sugar free and putting maple syrup or honey in it. Say refined oils or cane sugar or whatever. Being imprecise in cooking is a major deal.

        Reply
  6. stella says

    March 13, 2024 at 5:41 pm

    5 stars
    Ooh thank you! Just made it and it’s quite tasty. Always looking for nice oil free salad dressings 🙂

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      March 13, 2024 at 7:15 pm

      So wonderful to hear you enjoyed it, Stella! Thanks a lot for coming back to share your kind & thoughtful feedback - it’s very appreciated!

      Reply
      • Roni says

        March 24, 2025 at 9:36 pm

        5 stars
        Love that it's oil free! So yummy!

        Reply
        • Kaitlin says

          March 25, 2025 at 7:45 am

          Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it, Roni!

  7. Sara says

    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 says

      August 05, 2021 at 12:43 pm

      Happy to hear this, Sara! (And so cute about your daughter.) Thanks for giving it a try and sharing your very kind feedback!

      Reply
    • Barb says

      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 says

        March 22, 2022 at 4:46 pm

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

        Reply
  8. Dana says

    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 says

      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

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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