Spicy, just a little bit sweet, and really delicious, this Thai-inspired salad dressing is easy to make and BIG on flavor.
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This Thai-inspired salad dressing is so delicious. It’s slightly sweet, nice and spicy (though the spice level can be easily adjusted), and just has a really yummy, unique depth of flavor. I love this dressing on salads, of course, but it also makes for a fun chicken or shrimp marinade. Get creative with this one!
Made with lime juice, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, honey, and fish sauce, this dressing is bursting with flavor. It’s spicy with a touch of sweetness, and the fresh lime juice really adds a punch of fresh acidity to brighten everything up.
Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients list is fairly short here and every single thing on it contributes to the really delicious end product. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lime Juice – to start, you’ll need a ¼ cup of fresh lime juice — the juice from 2 really juicy limes.
- Chili Garlic Sauce – in addition to the lime juice, you’ll also need 1-2 tablespoons of chili garlic sauce. The exact amount you use here (anywhere between 1 and 2 tablespoons) will depend on your spice preference.
- Sesame Oil – 1 tablespoon of sesame oil adds a really rich flavor to the dressing.
- Honey – to give it a touch of sweetness and really counter the spice, you’ll need 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Fish Sauce – if you’ve never used fish sauce before, don’t be intimidated! A little goes a long way, but the depth of flavor that it adds is really incredible. You’ll need a ¼ teaspoon here.
- Sea Salt – a ¼ teaspoon of sea salt will finish everything off beautifully!
How to Make Thai-Inspired Salad Dressing
The process is incredibly simple (as dressing recipes tend to be) — you’ll simply add all of the ingredients to a bowl or jar and whisk until totally combined. That’s it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Considering the fact that all you’ll need to do is measure out a few ingredients and whisk, the process shouldn’t take you any longer than about 10 minutes. That’s one of the beautiful things about homemade dressings, y’all — they’re incredibly easy and always, ALWAYS taste better than their store-bought counterparts.
While this dressing is, of course, really delicious on salads (this Thai-inspired pork salad, specifically), it can also be used as a marinade (chicken thighs marinated in this stuff would be magical!) or as a spicy dipping sauce for already cooked proteins.
As with most homemade dressings, this Thai-inspired salad dressing is best stored in an airtight container (a mason jar is ideal) in the refrigerator.
Stored correctly (in an airtight jar or container in the fridge), this homemade dressing will last for up to 2 weeks.
It doesn’t! While I do love a Thai-style peanut dressing, this recipe is more of a tangy, spicy dressing option.
I’d actually say that “Spicy Thai Salad Dressing” describes this recipe perfectly. The chili garlic paste really brings the heat (though you can play with how much or how little you use, depending on your spice preferences), so if you want an ultra-spicy option, amp up the chili garlic paste until your desired spice level is reached!
More Favorite Dressing Recipes
Thai-Inspired Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1-2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce depending on spice preference
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until fully combined. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Very deceiving. Picture does not represent how much the recipe makes.
This recipe as written is meant to make 2 servings, about 1/4 cup. We are sorry that wasn’t clear on the recipe card. -Team FF
This is a great dressing! I used it on a green salad that included cilantro and mint and leftover seared ahi tuna. For our taste it needed a bit more oil so I added neutral flavored avocado oil. Yum…
Yum! We are so glad that you enjoy it, Cheryl. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback with us. -Team F&F