Sesame Ginger Dressing

• ¼ cup rice vinegar
  Swaps for rice vinegar

  Instead of vinegar

  • Apple cider or white wine vinegar: About ¾ the amount, plus a pinch of sugar. Rice vinegar is milder and slightly sweet; seasoned rice vinegar also has sugar and salt.
  • Lemon or lime juice: The same amount. Fresh citrus flavor instead of vinegar's bite.

  More for vinegar

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
  Swaps for soy sauce

  Instead of soy sauce

  • Tamari: The same amount. Richer and a little less salty.
  • Coconut aminos: The same amount, plus a pinch of salt. Sweeter and much less salty.

  More for soy sauce

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey
  Swaps for honey

  Instead of honey

  • Maple syrup: The same amount. Thinner, with a maple flavor; a little less sweet.
  • Agave syrup: A little less (about ¾ the amount). Sweeter and very neutral; thinner.
  • Light corn syrup or golden syrup: The same amount. Less sweet and neutral (golden syrup tastes buttery).

  More for honey

  Don't give honey, even baked into food, to babies under 1 year old.

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
  Swaps for fresh ginger

  Instead of ginger

  • Ground ginger: ¼ tsp ground for each 1 tbsp grated fresh. Warmer and less bright, with no zing.
  • Ginger paste (jar or tube): The same amount. Close; slightly salty or sour from preservatives.

  More for ginger

• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
  Swaps for garlic

  Instead of garlic

  • Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
  • Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.

  More for garlic

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  Swaps for vegetable oil

  Instead of vegetable oil

  • Another neutral oil: The same amount. No difference.
  • Melted butter: The same amount. Richer, buttery flavor; cakes are a little less moist and firmer once cool.
  • Light olive oil: The same amount. "Light" olive oil tastes mild.

  All 4 swaps for vegetable oil

• 1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  Swaps for red pepper flakes

  Instead of red pepper flakes

  • Cayenne: About half as much. Even heat throughout, no flakes.
  • Hot sauce or chili crisp: To taste. Hot sauce adds vinegar; chili crisp adds crunch and oil.
  • A fresh hot chile: Half a jalapeño or serrano for each ½ tsp. Fresh, green heat.

  More for red pepper flakes

Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.