This Asian salad dressing recipe is absolutely amazing! It has a beautiful flavor profile that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and savory. This authentic Chinese chicken salad dressing is also a deeply-satisfying Asian marinade for beef, chicken, fish and tofu!
ABOUT ASIAN SALAD DRESSING
Here in California there’s a restaurant that produces the most memorable Chinese chicken salads you’ve ever tasted. It’s actually the Asian sesame dressing that makes diners’ taste buds tingle! Today I’m sharing this authentic recipe for Asian dressing! It’s one you’ll make again and again, and treasure for years to come.
INGREDIENTS FOR ASIAN SESAME DRESSING
These are the ingredients for this delicious Asian salad dressing recipe:
- Fresh ginger
- Garlic cloves
- Black pepper
- Rice vinegar
- Dark sesame oil
- Molasses
- Organic honey
- Water
- Soy sauce
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Sesame seeds
- Smooth peanut butter (optional)
ASIAN DRESSING RECIPE
Here’s how to make this flavorful recipe, step by step:
- STEP 1: Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
- STEP 2: Whisk until the mixture is completely combined.
- STEP 3: Transfer Asian sesame dressing to a carafe.
- STEP 4: Allow mixture to sit for about 10 minutes so the flavors have a chance to dance and mingle. Don’t skip this step!
- STEP 5: Your Chinese salad dressing is ready to enjoy!
ASIAN CHICKEN MARINADE
For marinating chicken, add poultry and Asian dressing to a zip-top bag. Gently massage the bag to evenly distribute the mixture. Marinate chicken for 20 minutes before grilling. For additional Asian-infused flavor, after marinating the chicken and before placing it on the grill, add a little sprig of rosemary to the top of each piece. Make this Asian chicken marinade your go-to recipe for delicious mid-week meals!
KITCHEN TOOLS FOR ASIAN DRESSING
These are excellent kitchen tools to have on hand to make Asian dressing. I love the clean fresh style of each of these products. But what I love most is the ease of online shopping. I’m always looking for great ways to save time and money while staying on top of current trends.
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did you enjoy this flavorful Asian dressing? Rate this recipe in the comments below.
Asian Salad Dressing and Chicken Marinade
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 Salad Dressing Carafe 1x
Description
This Asian salad dressing recipe has a beautiful flavor profile that is so darn scrumptious! Perfect for drizzling over healthy Chinese chicken salads, it also doubles as a fabulous chicken marinade. Get ready to enjoy this authentic recipe for Asian dressing!
Ingredients
- 1 + 1/4 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and finely minced
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup dark sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 + 1/2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 2 tablespoons + 1/2 teaspoon organic honey
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon creamy peanut butter* (PB ALLERGY ALERT)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk everything together until all of the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Transfer the Asian dressing to a carafe and allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes to give the flavors an ample opportunity to combine.
- Serve with Chinese chicken salad or use as a flavorful chicken marinade.
Notes
*EXPERT TIP: Whenever you’re making this Asian salad dressing recipe for a potluck, gathering or other social event where you’re not certain if there may be someone present who has a peanut allergy, absolutely omit the peanut butter. Otherwise, if you’re making this recipe for your family and/or friends who are not allergic to nuts, the peanut butter raises the flavor profile and takes things to the next level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Potluck, Party
- Method: By hand
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keywords: Asian dressing, salad dressing, chicken marinade
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NOTE: This popular Asian Dressing recipe was originally published on July 31, 2018. Format changes were made so the blog post is more user-friendly and easier to read. The recipe itself remains the same!
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD WITH ASIAN DRESSING
Generously drizzle Asian salad dressing over this beautiful, healthy Chinese chicken salad. Say goodbye to expensive take-out salads from your local Chinese restaurant. You now have all the secrets you need to make this easy delicious meal at home!
ASIAN DRESSING – JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Do you love the flavor of Asian salad dressing? Will you use it over Chinese chicken salad or as a marinade? Join the conversation in the comments below.
I loved this dressing. Personally would have liked it a little thicker as it was the consistency of the vinegar. The ginger was also an interesting touch that I didn’t hate or love as a big ginger fan. Sesame seeds was a great touch. I used toasted white, my aunt recommended black next time
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I loved this dressing. Personally would have liked it a little thicker as it was the consistency of the vinegar. The ginger was also an interesting touch that I didn’t hate or love as a big ginger fan. Sesame seeds was a great touch. I used toasted white, my aunt recommended black next time
★★★★★
I do not have fresh ginger. Will ground ginger work?
Hello Deb. Ground ginger is intended for baking. It has a very different taste than fresh ginger. Most especially for Asian recipes, these two ingredients are best not interchanged. I recommend waiting to make this recipe until you have a chance to pick up some fresh ginger root at the market.
How long will this dressing keep for?
This flavorful Asian dressing will last for 4 days in the refrigerator.
A little sesame oil goes a long way. 1/2 c. Sesame oil is the correct amount?
Hello Celeste! Yes, 1/2 cup sesame oil is needed for this restaurant-style Asian dressing.
I made this today exactly as written and thought it was heavenly. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Good morning Sandi! I’m so glad to hear you loved this Asian Salad Dressing recipe. Paired with Chinese chicken salad it’s so scrumptious. It’s one of my go-to recipes for picnics, potlucks and family gatherings. Thank you for coming back and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it! Many wishes for a wonderful week!
Can you leave out the molasses or substitute it with more honey?
Hello Penny. This Asian dressing will not taste the same without the molasses! If at all possible, head to the market to pick up a small bottle of it. Your taste buds will thank you later!
I’m eager to try this recipe but I’m unfamiliar with molasses. When I went to add molasses to my online cart there were oodles to choose from. Which would work best for this recipe: full flavor molasses, mild flavored, unsulphured, or blackstrap? I never knew there were so many choices. Help!
Hi does the dressing need to be refrigerated?
Hello Nikki. Public health standards require the refrigeration of salad dressing. When sugar is added to a liquid it can cause a bacteria feeding frenzy. In this case, the sugar is in the form of molasses. I hope you’re loving this Asian salad dressing recipe! Have a wonderful week. :-)
Will this dressing be ok without the molasses? I don’t use this ingredient and would hate to buy a bottle and then it just be wasted
Hello Bee. I haven’t tried leaving the molasses out of this Asian dressing recipe. However, if I didn’t have molasses on hand I would try substituting with one of these three ingredients: honey, corn syrup, or brown sugar.
I know the flavor profile is different, but maybe substitute hoisin sauce with brown sugar added might work in place of molasses. Any thoughts?
Hello Bee. I was just out at Target today here in California, and a bottle of molasses is just $3.39. I highly recommend picking up a bottle of molasses as this really makes all the difference! And then you’ll have it on hand when making additional batches of this dressing during the upcoming spring and summer seasons. :-)
Wow, this dressing is delicious!!! So glad I bought the molasses and made recipe exactly as written. Question, how long does this last in refrigerator? I made a batch 2 weeks ago& tried to use it last night & the oil would not blend well together when shaken. Could it have been that it was cold?
Hello Bee! I’m so glad you bought the molasses and enjoyed this flavorful Asian dressing! Any dressing containing garlic has a shorter lifespan, even in the refrigerator. Personally, I wouldn’t save it past 7 days. I usually make my dressing just before serving, and then we use it all up at that time. But after refrigeration, bringing the dressing back to room temp will help it blend together beautifully.
Looks good! Do you use a natural peanut butter or one with added sugar? I’d prefer natural but have both if one works better.
Hello Tracy! I actually use Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter when making this Asian salad dressing recipe, because that’s the product I usually have on hand. Since you have both types of PB on hand, you may want to pull out two little dessert spoons or tasting spoons. Put a little PB on each spoon, then add a few drops of the Asian dressing to each. After a taste test you’ll be able to select the one that you prefer!
Thanks for the update! we’re trying it soon! Looking forward to it.
Just saw this recipe and am really interested in trying it. In the list of the ingredients molasses is included but when you read farther down to the actual recipe, molasses is not listed. I guess I’m just looking for the amount of molasses that needs to be included. Thanks,
Good morning Sue! Thank you so much for spotting that missing measurement. It’s 1 tablespoon molasses. This Asian dressing is really good. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does. :-)
This asian dressing is soooooo delicious! Thank you for the fabulous recipe!
★★★★★
Marybeth, you just made my day! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know how this yummy Asian Salad Dressing worked out for you. Have a great week!
This dressing sounds amazing! Pinning now so I dont forget to try it!
★★★★★
This dressing sounds so delicious, I like the idea it can double as a chicken marinade as well. I will definitely be trying, thanks for sharing!
~xo Sheree
★★★★★
What a yummy idea! I’ve never made my own dressing. Definitely have to try it out!
All my favorite ingredients in one marinade! I totally need to try this on salad too.
I could eat Asian dressing on just about anything. I love the flavor profile it adds to simple chicken dishes and it always tastes amazing in salads.
★★★★★
Gah, it looks SO delicious!!! And I’ve never been able to perfect an Asian dressing, will have to try this one!!
★★★★★
OOOH! Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I’d been looking for a great asian dressing recipe!
★★★★★
I am a huge fan of asian salad, but never thought to use the dressing as a chicken marinade! Double duty for the win! I’m definitely adding this to my list to try!
As the mom of a child with peanut allergies, I appreciate the warning about using peanut butter in recipes when attending a gathering. I’m looking forward to making it with soy butter as an alternative to peanut butter.
Looks yummy! Can’t wait to try. :)
Kasey
★★★★★
I loved this salad dressing recipe! It’s so good! Thanks so much for sharing it.
★★★★★
Love everything about this dressing — so versatile!
★★★★★
i LOVEEE asian salad dressing. This looks so delicious! And I love the little gold teaspoons!
★★★★★
This dressing has become my “new” favorite salad dressing. I absolutely love the flavors! Your recipe makes the perfect amount – thank you for a wonderful recipe.
★★★★★
Thank you so much. I hope this recipe is just as good as the rest.
The ginger is what really makes this dressing for me. Delicious and very versatile. I’ve used a similar recipe as both chicken marinade, which you mentioned, as well as for fish dishes. Can’t wait to try this one out!
★★★★★
The ginger is a nice touch to the fun recipe.
I am crazy for Asian dressings…I can’t wait to try this one!
★★★★★
Asian dressing are the absolute best. I hope you really like it.
I love anything with Asian influence, so this dressing sounds so delicious! It probably has a little bit of spice because of the pepper flakes! I’ve definitely have tried similar dressings before with the honey and soy sauce, but the addition of the spice element sounds so yummy. I’m going to have to try it out myself! Great post xx
Melina
★★★★★
The spicy element brings the recipe over the edge. Its really yummy.
This recipe sounds delicious and super easy to do! Might just try it over the weekend:) Thanks for sharing Denay!
★★★★★
I really hope you enjoy it. You are so welcome.
This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
You are so welcome. I hope you really enjoy.
I love salad dressings. They give a twist of flavor to the veggies. Thanks for this wonderful recipe. Now, we can try a new dressing additional to the classic hundred island and honey-mustard dressings we get used to.
★★★★★
This salad dressing is so good. I hope you really enjoy it.