Japanese Vegan Miso Salad Dressing

By Jolinda Hackett

Updated 01/16/19

Vegan miso salad dressing

The Spruce

  • Total: 5 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
50 Calories
4g Fat
2g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 50
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 556mg 24%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 2g
Calcium 6mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This Japanese-inspired miso and ginger salad dressing recipe has a perky gingery Asian flavor with a hint of saltiness and sweetness from the combination of the lightly sweet rice vinegar, salty soy sauce and miso, savory sesame oil and the fresh ginger. 

If you're not used to miso or to Japanese flavors, it's possible that you may find the miso flavor a bit too strong or salty. You can dilute this dressing with a bit more water and sesame oil, or try it with a little bit of soy milk. The soy milk will thin it out and add to the creaminess while cutting the strong miso flavor, but you won't actually taste the soy milk as long as you just add just a little bit (no more than a few tablespoons). 

This vegan miso salad dressing would also make a great spring roll dipping sauce if you just a little less water to keep it a bit thick. Another fun variation? Instead of water, try thinning this miso dressing out with a bit of orange juice for a Japanese-inspired miso-orange dressing. 

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup miso
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger (fresh, minced; or 1 teaspoon ginger powder)
  • Optional: water (as needed)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for dressing
    The Spruce

  2. Combine all ingredients using a blender or food processor. If mixing by hand, use a fork or whisk and beat until smooth.

    Combine all ingredients
    The Spruce

  3. Add a bit of water, a teaspoon at a time, if desired, for a thinner consistency.

    Blended
    The Spruce

  4. Serve as the dressing to a salad or use as a dipping sauce and enjoy!

Tip

  • Instead of using a small bowl and a whisk, you can also place everything together in a mason jar, cover, and then shake it all up until fully emulsified.