Looking for a tangy and flavorful way to jazz up your salads while staying true to your low-carb lifestyle? Look no further than this keto ginger dressing! This vibrant dressing is quick and easy to make, combining fresh ingredients to create a taste sensation that's perfect for salads, roasted vegetables, or even as a dipping sauce.
Why Choose Keto Ginger Dressing?
Many store-bought Asian salad dressings are loaded with sugar and carbs, making them unsuitable for a ketogenic diet. This recipe allows you to enjoy the delicious flavors of sesame ginger dressing without compromising your health goals. This dressing incorporates real ginger and garlic and blends them with the goodness of gluten-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos).
Health Benefits
One thing that makes this dressing healthier than some of the store-bought alternatives is that it has real, raw garlic and ginger. Ginger may give this dressing a zip of flavor, but it also adds some anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other medicinal qualities. Garlic adds a plethora of benefits as well. It may have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, may have anti-tumor activity, and may help those with type 2 diabetes as well as other health problems. Avocado oil is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to create this flavorful dressing:
- 2 tablespoons raw ginger, peeled and minced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium, gluten-free soy sauce (may substitute tamari or coconut aminos)
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar (plain, not seasoned)
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon almond butter (may substitute miso)
- 2 teaspoons allulose (or other keto-friendly sweetener, adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Soy Sauce: For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos.
- Almond Butter: Miso can be used as a substitute for almond butter.
- Allulose: Other sweeteners such as erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit can be used. Remember that allulose is a little less sweet than sugar. If your sweetener is equally as sweet as sugar or sweeter than sugar (such as Pyure stevia/erythritol blend) you will want to decrease the amount you use. I would err on the low side. You can always taste and add more later.
Instructions
Method 1: Using a Food Processor
- Put the ginger and garlic in a food processor. Cover and pulse a few times to mince.
- Add the soy sauce, vinegar, avocado oil, toasted sesame oil, almond butter, and allulose to the food processor.
- Cover and process until smooth.
- Add the sesame seeds to to food processor. Cover and pulse once to stir in the seeds.
- This dressing may be served immediately. If not serving the dressing right away, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate. Shake before using.
Method 2: Without Using a Food Processor
- If you don't have a food processor, whisk the ginger, garlic and almond butter together, then slowly add the soy sauce, whisking to keep the mixture from separating.
- Gradually whisk in the avocado oil.
- Once the mixture is smooth, stream in the vinegar while whisking.
Tips for the Perfect Dressing
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ginger and garlic will provide the most vibrant flavor.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the dressing and adjust the amount of sweetener to your liking.
- Consistency: If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a little water or more vinegar.
- Storage: Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Shake well before using.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile dressing is not just for salads! Here are some other ways to enjoy it:
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Salads: Toss with your favorite green salads, such as lettuce or spinach-based salads. Add vegetables like radishes, cucumbers, and peppers.
- Marinade: Use as a marinade for meats like chicken, pork, or seafood. Marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the protein.
- Sauce: Drizzle over cooked meats, roasted vegetables, or even shirataki noodles.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or grilled skewers.
- Condiment: Top keto burgers, sandwiches, or wraps with a drizzle of this flavorful dressing.
- Side Dish: Transform cucumbers or tomatoes into a delicious side dish with a little drizzle of this dressing.
Complements to Your Keto Meal
This salad dressing will work well with any dish with an asian flair. Put salad with this dressing along side of Low-Carb Teriyaki Salmon , Low-Carb Orange Beef, or Easy Low-Carb Sesame Chicken Recipe to make a whole meal. Easy Low-Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe would work well with the flavor profile in this dressing as well.
Variations
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for a kick of heat.
- Creamy: For a creamier dressing, add a tablespoon of mayonnaise or sour cream.
- Sesame: Increase the amount of toasted sesame oil for a more pronounced sesame flavor.
Keto Tuna Steak Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
This easy keto sesame ginger dressing is the perfect addition to a fresh tuna steak salad or really any salad at all!
Ingredients for Keto Tuna Steak Salad
- Romaine lettuce
- Radishes
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Carrots (in moderation)
- Almond slices
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Tuna steaks (or canned tuna packed in oil, cooked chicken, or shrimp)
Instructions for Keto Tuna Steak Salad
- Make the salad and toss with the dressing.
- Note you can use canned tuna if you wish but I would recommend using tuna packed in oil. You could also use cooked chicken, shrimp or this salad is good without any protein on top.
- Check out this post to learn how to sear a tuna steak if you want to add that to your salad.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
- Calories: 55 kcal (per 2 tablespoons)
The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. Values differ according to types and brands of foods used. When used in a recipe, erythritol has been removed from the carb count as it is a sugar alcohol.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto