Eating raw carrots shouldn’t be boring! This is my take on an Asian raw carrot salad recipe with carrot ribbons and refreshing, tangy salad dressings. Crunchy, refreshing, gut-friendly, and packed with flavour!
I’ve tried so many carrot salad recipes, and honestly, this is one of the best and my favourite.
Viral Carrot Salad
If you’ve been scrolling on socials lately, you’ve probably seen the raw carrot salad trend blowing up, and for good reason. Raw carrots are rich in fibre and antioxidants that support digestion and help your body naturally detox, plus they boost collagen for a glowy skin.
Even before carrot ribbon salad went viral on TikTok and Instagram, my mom had been making a carrot salad similar to this one with shredded carrots, shallots, and cucumber.
Mom would twist the sauce with sesame dressing, vinegar dressing, or just simple lemon-soy dressing. So we never get bored with eating carrot salad. Toppings and fresh herbs are also added depending on mom’s mood and what’s left in the fridge. I hope you enjoy my version too!
What Type of Carrot to Use and How to Prepare
Honestly, any fresh carrots work well for making carrot salad. But if you wish to make beautiful carrot ribbons, you’ll need a long carrot, so you can easily make ribbons. Small carrots can be a bit tricky to make ribbons.
If you don’t mind the texture, you can simply shred the carrots by using a shredder. Or just use a sharp knife and julienne them.
Wash the carrots and peel the skin. A little trick to hold the carrot is to use a fork to hold the carrot by the head, so you don’t have to worry about hurting your hand.
What You'll Need
- 2-3 fresh carrots (peeled into ribbons or shredded)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tsp Honey
- 2 tsp Toasted crushed peanuts or pumpkin seeds
- 1-2 Spring onions
- ½ tsp Crispy chilli oil ( optional )
You can scroll down and save the free printable recipe card.
How to Make This Salad With Raw Carrots
- Wash and peel your carrots. Use a peeler and fork to create ribbons.
- Combine soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, chilli oil and honey in a small bowl.
- Place the carrot ribbons in a large bowl, then add minced garlic, spring onions, and the prepared dressing.
- Toss everything together. Sprinkle sesame seeds and crushed peanuts. Enjoy!
Khin's Salad Note
If you love a bit of spice, add a drizzle of crispy chilli oil, your favourite hot sauce, or a few slices of fresh chilli in the dressing.
This salad also tastes lovely with extra veggies. I often add cucumber, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, salad onions, or a handful of fresh coriander.
For some extra crunch, try topping it with fried shallots, crispy garlic, or some roasted nuts.
And if you like a creamier dressing, just stir in a spoonful of peanut butter or sesame paste. It makes the sauce rich, nutty, and so delicious.
Make This Salad More Filling
This salad is perfect for sharing and will comfortably serve 3 to 4 people as a side dish alongside rice, noodles, grilled meats, or your favourite mains. For a light lunch or dinner, it serves 1 to 2 people on its own.
To make it more filling, try adding grilled chicken, tofu, shredded rotisserie chicken, prawns, salmon, tuna, or even some quinoa or noodles. Rice vermicelli noodles and glass noodles are my favourites!
Adding extra protein and noodles turns the salad into a satisfying meal while keeping all that fresh, crunchy texture.
Quick FAQs
Can I make carrot salad ahead of time?
Yes, the flavours often taste even better after sitting in the fridge for a little while. Just keep it chilled and give it a quick toss before serving.
How long does raw carrot salad last?
It is best eaten within 1 to 2 days for the freshest texture and flavour.
Do I need to peel the carrots?
Not necessarily. If the carrots are fresh and washed well, you can leave the skin on. I personally prefer peeled carrots for a softer texture.
What is the best way to cut carrots for salad?
Julienned, grated, ribboned, or thinly sliced carrots all work well. It mostly depends on the texture you prefer.
Why is my carrot salad watery?
This can happen if the dressing sits too long before serving or if extra watery vegetables are added. A quick toss with dressing just before eating helps.
More Tasty Asian Salad Recipes
- Japanese Cucumber Salad ( Cooling, refreshing Japanese-style salad. )
- Smashed Cucumber Salad ( A must-try Chinese spicy cucumber salad. )
- Prawn Salad with Asian Dressing (You'll love this dressing!)
- Chinese Chicken Salad (Grilled chicken and salad make a perfect combo!)
Our Favourite Pairings
I often serve it alongside a bowl of noodles, such as Shrimp Mei Fun or Vegetable Mei Fun, or with comforting soups like Hot and Sour Soup or light ABC Soup.
It also works really well alongside mains such as Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings, Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry, or Steamed Cod Fish.
Tried this Recipe?
If you’ve tried out and enjoyed this carrot raw salad recipe, drop a comment below, leave a ⭐ rating, and let me know your own twist.
For more delicious recipes and kitchen inspiration, follow me on Facebook,Instagram,YouTube,TikTok, andPinterest.
📖 Recipe
Raw Carrot Salad
Equipment
- 1 Salad bowl
- 1 Peeler Or grater
Ingredients
- 2-3 Carrots peeled into ribbons or shredded
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1-2 Spring onions Green onions, cut thin slices
- 2 tsp Peanuts Toasted crushed, or pumpkin seeds
- 1 tbsp Sesame seeds Toasted
Salad Dressing Sauce
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sesame oil toasted
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Honey or brown sugar
- ½ tsp Crispy chilli oil optional
Instructions
- Wash and peel the carrots. Use a peeler and fork to create carrot ribbons.
- Combine soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, chilli oil and honey in a small bowl.
- Place the carrot ribbons in a large bowl, add minced garlic, spring onions, and prepared dressing sauce.
- Toss everything together. Sprinkle sesame seeds and crushed peanuts. Enjoy!
Comments
No Comments