Ginger Lime Dressing
Ginger lovers unite! Bright, zesty, and full of flavor, this ginger lime dressing is the perfect way to elevate your salads, grain bowls, or grilled vegetables. Made with simple ingredients like fresh lime juice, ginger, and a touch of honey, it strikes the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory.
Erica’s Notes
This dressing is a lifesaver for busy weeknights when I need to jazz up a simple salad or add a finishing touch to roasted veggies. I love that it’s made with wholesome ingredients and takes just minutes to whip up. The avocado oil adds a creamy, mild base, while the fresh ginger and lime provide a vibrant kick. For best results, use freshly squeezed lime juice and freshly grated ginger—they make all the difference!
Also- if you want a creamier dressing, I highly recommend blitzing these ingredients in a food processor or small blender. It helps the ginger and honey emulsify with the avocado oil and create a cohesive dressing. It is shocking how creamy it gets without any traditional ‘creamy’ elements.
If you’re like me and love to make your own salad dressings, this is one to add to your rotation. This delicious dressing is versatile, flavorful and comes together in a snap.
What You’ll Need to Make Lime Ginger Dressing
Avocado oil: the mild flavor of avocado oil makes it a great base for this dressing. It’s also rich in heart-healthy fats. You could also use extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil.
Lime juice: freshly squeezed lime juice gives the dressing its signature tangy flavor.
Lime zest: zest of a lime reinforces the lime flavor. Use a microplane to grate the zest.
Ginger: this recipe is very ginger-forward which adds a warm, slightly spicy kick. Peel and finely grate it for easy mixing.
Coconut Aminos: coconut aminos are a slightly sweeter, soy-free alternative to soy sauce, and I use them purely because I enjoy the flavor. You can use soy sauce or tamari. Coconut aminos are in the health foods aisle and the international foods aisle at the grocery store.
Honey: honey balances the tanginess of the lime and the spice of the ginger with its natural sweetness.
Salt and Pepper: kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper enhance all the flavors and tie the dressing together.
How to Make Ginger Lime Dressing
Prepare the Ingredients: Peel the ginger and finely grate it using a microplane or box grater. Use the microplane to remove the zest from one whole lime and then juice 1-2 limes to yield about 3 tablespoons of juice. Avoid the white pith of the lime as that will make your dressing bitter.
Combine Ingredients: In a small blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and blend until creamy and cohesive. Alternatively, you can whisk or vigorously shake the ingredients together in a salad shaker or jar.
Taste and Adjust: Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more lime juice for extra tang, honey for sweetness, or ginger for spice.
Store or Serve: Use immediately or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 10 days. Shake well before using.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh limes and fresh ginger for the best flavor.
- Use an immersion blender or food processor for a super smooth dressing.
- This dressing stores well in the fridge, so feel free to make a double batch to use throughout the week.
- Use a microplane to finely grate the ginger and zest the lime.
Variation Ideas
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for a little kick.
- Replace half of the lime juice with apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar to make a ginger lime vinaigrette.
- You can easily make this an orange ginger dressing or lemon ginger dressing by switching the citrus zest and juice.
- Chopped fresh herbs would be delicious in this dressing so feel free to add finely chopped fresh cilantro, parsley or basil.
- Add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil to make a rad sesame ginger dressing.
FAQs
Yes, but keep in mind that olive oil has a stronger flavor that may slightly alter the taste of the dressing.
You can use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari.
Store it in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Yes, start with ½ teaspoon of ground ginger and adjust based on how ginger-y you like the dressing!
Maple syrup and cane sugar are great alternatives for honey.
Use on a green salad, pasta salads, drizzled over brown rice, as a marinade for salmon (pictured) or chicken, in butter lettuce wraps, tofu noodle bowls or as a dipping sauce for raw veggies!
More homemade dressing recipes:
If you try and like this recipe please don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating down below! If you love more lifestyle, behind the scenes and ‘eating in real life’ type of content come find me over on Instagram, @itsaflavorfullife, I love connecting with you all there!
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Ginger Lime Dressing
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: scant 1 cup 1x
- Category: Dressings
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A zesty ginger lime dressing with fresh ginger, tangy lime, and a hint of sweetness—perfect for salads, veggies, or marinades.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup avocado oil
- zest of 1 lime
- 3 tablespoons lime juice (juice of 1–2 limes, depending on how juicy they are)
- 2-inch knob ginger, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a small blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and blend until creamy and cohesive. Taste and season with a little more lime or salt, per your taste. Alternatively, you can whisk or vigorously shake the ingredients together in a salad shaker or jar.
- Store in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 10 days. Separation is normal, shake vigorously to re-emulsify. Serve on leafy green salads, as a marinade for protein, drizzled on roasted vegetables or in grain bowls.
Notes
Refer to above blog post for ingredient information, variation ideas and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Such a bright, citrusy, delicious dressing! I made this with her Salmon Buddha Bowl, and it was amazing!
This was AMAZING!!! Wasn’t sure about ginger, but I tried it and WOW! Definitely making again! I literally make your recipes 3-5 times a week!
Michelle, thank you!! I appreciate this so much!
Yummy and so simple! I have to say, I was looking for a simple lime ginger dressing recipe for my bean salad to switch things up a little and this is divine! I used my dried ginger pieces too!
Michele! How lovely! Happy to hear and thank you so much for trying and for your review!