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    Home » Recipes » Dressing

    Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing (Oil-Free!)

    Jun 13, 2018 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.

    Green tossed salad in a bowl with carrot ginger dressing drizzled over top

    Have you ever tasted that bright, flavorful carrot ginger dressing over a fresh, crisp salad from a Japanese-style steakhouse restaurant?

    I haven't had it in years, but the flavor still rings strong in my memory.

    So I used that inspiration to create this tasty oil-free version.

    It's so refreshing and a great way to perk up a simple salad.

    Vegan carrot ginger miso dressing in a glass jar with spoon

    Ingredients for Carrot Ginger Dressing

    You will need a blender or food processor for this recipe. The main base ingredients are:

    • Carrot: You will need about two medium carrots for this recipe.
    • Fresh ginger
    • Tamari: This adds 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 unseasoned rice vinegar. (Seasoned rice vinegar includes added sugar and salt.)
    • Water: To thin to desired consistency.

    Start with those, then add these other flavors as desired:

    • 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.)
    • Onion: I blend in white onion or yellow onion. But you could also substitute shallot if desired.
    • Pure maple syrup: This is a fantastic natural sweetener. But feel free to use your own favorite sweetener instead.
    Close up of dressing being drizzled over lettuce with spoon

    Customizing

    This is a forgiving and versatile recipe. (So don't worry if you don't have one of the ingredients on hand.) For my personal preference, I really enjoy the all the additional flavors of miso, tahini, onion, and maple syrup.

    Sesame oil: This dressing typically includes sesame oil, but I opted for creamy tahini instead. However feel to include 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 add your favorite veggies or a protein like chickpeas, quinoa, edamame, pumpkin seeds, or baked tofu.

    Storing

    We find this homemade dressing keeps for about 4-5 days. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Carrot ginger dressing on a green salad in bowl

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

    Close up of carrot ginger dressing being drizzled over lettuce with spoon

    Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing

    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
    Total Time: 10 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. grated ginger (about a 1-inch piece)
    • 1 1/2 Tbsp. tamari (or soy sauce)
    • 1 1/2 Tbsp. rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
    • 1/3 cup water
    • 1/4 cup onion (white or yellow)
    • 1 Tbsp. tahini
    • 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
    • 1 Tbsp. white miso

    Instructions

    • Peel and roughly chop carrots. Peel ginger.
    • Add all ingredients to a food processor (or high-powered blender) and blend/pulse until smooth.
    • Adjust flavors as necessary and salt to taste if desired.

    Notes

    Yield: Recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups. Store covered in the fridge for 4-5 days.
    Customize: Feel free to start with the base ingredients (carrot, ginger, tamari, rice vinegar, and water) then continue with the other additions from there. I enjoy all the extra flavors but you can cut back as desired. It's a versatile recipe.
    Serving: Enjoy it on salads or as a fresh veggie dip.
    For gluten-free: Use tamari.

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    41
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    2
    g
    3
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    94
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    6
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    3397
    IU
    68
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2
    mg
    2
    %
    Calcium
     
    13
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a star rating or comment below!

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

    • Roasted Red Pepper Dressing
    • Asian Kale Salad with Peanut Dressing
    • Creamy Garden Herb Dressing
    • Garlic Basil Balsamic Dressing

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

    More Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes

    • Roasted Red Pepper Dressing (Oil-Free)
    • Asian-Style Kale & Tofu Salad with Peanut Dressing
    • Vegan Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Dressing
    • Berry Crunch Salad with Strawberry-Balsamic Dressing

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating:




    1. H

      April 06, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      It looks great! I notice sodium is not mentioned in the nutrition information. Any idea of the sodium content? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin

        April 07, 2022 at 8:21 am

        Hello and thank you! Please see my FAQ page for an explanation on sodium. I hope you enjoy if decide to give it a try!

        Reply
    2. 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, Barb! Thanks for the kind words.

          Reply
    3. 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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