
Photo: Mark Yamamoto
Once you try this homemade salad dressing recipe, you’ll question why you ever bought store-bought salad dressings. This recipe is so simple and only takes five minutes to make. The ingredients are fresh and without any preservatives or other added ingredients which is a big bonus in my book.
In fact, I’m pretty sure you have all the that you need in your pantry to make this recipe!

Photo: Mark Yamamoto
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Easy Homemade Salad Dressing
My husband will not eat a salad without this homemade salad dressing. If we run out of it my husband has a panic attack! So, you can imagine that I always have to have it on hand.

Photo: Mark Yamamoto
I found the recipe from an old church cookbook and it compliments a Chinese chicken salad that is yummy too. One of these days, I’ll try and get the salad up on the blog as well. But, I do have a yummy salad topper, they are the best-sugared walnuts and like this recipe. Similar to this recipe this one it only takes about six minutes to make in the microwave! Sometimes I’m all about quick and easy recipes.
So, as you can see, there are only four ingredients in this Asian Salad Dressing Recipe. And the cool thing is that you probably have these ingredients in your kitchen pantry right now.
I must say that I did update this recipe recently. The sugar has a difficult time dissolving so I dissolve it first with a little bit of water. Now, it is a perfect salad dressing every time. See the recipe below on how to deal with the sugar issue.
What are you waiting for, let’s make this yummy Asian salad dressing?
Asian Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup cooking oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook and stir at low heat until sugar dissolves.
- In a big bowl or pyrex container whisk all the ingredients together thoroughly.
- Pour into a mason jar or into a container that has a wide mouth opening. The sugar needs to be stirred before using, so you want a container that allows stirring or shaking.
Nutrition
A little side note
There is one little thing about this recipe, the sugar tends to not dissolve that great. I have tried cooking the sugar with the oil and I think it still has issues. Well, I now store it in a wide-mouth glass container like the jar you see in this photo. I like the big opening so that we can stir it before using it. I have tried a pretty bottle but the sugar is difficult to shake loose from the bottom.
Here are a few links to a few containers for your convenience. I see that a few have some cool mixing attachments. I should try one of them and follow up on this blog post.

Photo: Mark Yamamoto
Here are a few of my other recipes:

- DIY Heart Wreath Tutorial - January 19, 2021
- 7 Winter Decorating Ideas - January 14, 2021
- Rifle Paper Co Beautiful Pillows - January 13, 2021
Marlene says
What kind of oil do you use in your Asian salad dressing?? Can’t wait to try it!
happyhappynester says
Hi Marlene,
I hope you like this dressing. You can use any vegetable oil that you like. I use Canola, but seriously any type will work. I have tried Olive Oil and it did a funky thing in the fridge. Let me know if you make it! Have a great weekend. 🙂
Beckie says
Janine your dressing is absolutely delicious! I could eat this on every salad ! Have you ever figured out the calories ? Oh who cares ! It’s so good ! 😊😋 Thank you for sharing ❤️
happyhappynester says
Hi Beckie,
I’m so glad you like my salad dressing. I do need to place my recipes in a framework that would give the calories and nutritional info. But, I think the calories might be shocking. Yes, look the other way and enjoy it!
Theresa says
I make one similar to this, but I add grated ginger and garlic. Sometimes a tiny splash of sesame oil. I ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Asian salad dressings! I’m gonna try it your way next. Thanks!
ANDREA says
COULD YOU COOK THIS ON THE STOVE AND USE AS A SAUCE FOR CHICKEN? OVER RICE?
happyhappynester says
Hi Andrea,
I would use my Teriyaki recipe for a sauce rather than this salad dressing recipe. This recipe has vinegar, and I’m not sure how it will taste cooked.
Thanks!
Janine