Asian carrot salad
Got a bag of carrots in the fridge and no real plan for them? This Asian carrot salad is the recipe you need. Shaved into long ribbons and tossed in a punchy dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and ginger, those humble carrots transform into a brilliant side dish or snack you will want to make on repeat.
Ingredients
|
Large carrots (about 600 g)
|
4 |
|---|---|
|
Rice vinegar
|
2 tbsp |
|
Soy sauce
|
2 tbsp |
|
Toasted sesame oil
|
2 tbsp |
|
Fresh ginger, grated
|
2 tsp |
|
Honey
|
1 tsp |
|
Sesame seeds, toasted
|
2 tbsp |
Instructions
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
Choose firm, crisp carrots to get the most out of this salad. A smooth surface, with no visible cracks or soft areas, is a good sign of freshness. When they feel solid and slightly heavy in your hand, you know they will retain their structure after shaving.
Set the carrot salad aside for 10–15 minutes if you have the time. This gives the dressing a chance to settle into the ribbons, softening them slightly and allowing them to absorb more of the flavour.
FAQ: Questions about Asian carrot salad
Before you grab the vegetable peeler, have a look below. We answer the most common questions about this Asian carrot salad, so you can go in fully prepared.
What type of carrots should I use for an Asian carrot salad?
You can use any type of carrots you like for an Asian carrot salad. Orange, yellow, purple, white, or a mix all work well, as the flavour and texture stay quite similar across the different types. We like using multi-coloured carrots, as they give the salad a more eye-catching look.
What is the best way to peel carrots into ribbons?
The best way to peel carrots into ribbons is with a vegetable peeler, ideally a Y-shaped one, which tends to give wider, more even strips than a straight peeler. Lay the carrot flat on a chopping board and run the peeler along its length in one long, smooth stroke, applying light but even pressure. Rotate the carrot slightly after each stroke to get ribbons from all sides. Long, confident strokes give cleaner results than short, hesitant ones.
Do I need to peel the carrots before shaving them?
No, you do not need to peel the carrots before shaving them, as long as they are washed well. The skin is thin and works fine in the salad, especially when the carrots are fresh and firm.
What if my dressing separates?
It is completely normal for the dressing to separate, as oil and vinegar do not naturally stay combined. Simply stir or whisk it again just before tossing it with the carrots to restore it to a smooth mixture.
Can I make the Asian carrot salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the Asian carrot salad a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. It allows the carrots to soften slightly and absorb the dressing. If you plan to store it for longer, it is better to keep the carrot ribbons and dressing in separate containers to keep the texture crisp.
Nutritional values per serving
Energy:
229 Kcal
| Energy distribution % | Nutritional values per serving | |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | - | 4.9 g |
| Protein | 5.7 % | 3.2 g |
| Fat | 67.3 % | 17.4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 % | 15.2 g |
You may also like
Try a fresh and flavourful Asian carrot salad
This Asian carrot salad is a good reminder that simple food can be just as good. Built around the bold interplay of salty, sweet, sour, and umami that defines so much of Asian cooking, it turns a humble vegetable into an exciting dish.
The carrots, shaved into long, elegant ribbons, are completely transformed once they meet the dressing. They soften ever so slightly while holding onto a crisp bite, soaking up all that flavour and becoming wonderfully juicy and fresh in the process. To finish, a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds adds an extra layer of toasted crunch, making every mouthful even more enjoyable.
Tossed with a tangy and sweet sesame-ginger dressing
The dressing transforms the carrots completely, cutting through their natural sweetness with tang, nuttiness, and warmth. Rice vinegar and soy sauce form the foundation, the first bright and acidic, the second deep and salty, while freshly grated ginger enlivens the two with a citrusy heat. Toasted sesame oil adds a rich, nutty depth, while honey brings a floral sweetness that keeps the savoury elements balanced.
A great side for dumplings, noodles, and Asian-inspired everyday dishes
This Asian carrot salad pairs well with a wide range of Asian cuisines. Its freshness and tang make it a great companion for dumplings like wontons with pork and mushrooms or pork gyoza, or alongside a bowl of noodles, where it adds a fresh, crunchy contrast. It works just as well next to richer, heartier dishes such as Korean fried chicken or Japanese chicken teriyaki.
It is just as good when used as a filling or topping. Pile it onto a sushi bowl, and it mingles effortlessly with salmon, rice, and whatever other vegetables you have on hand. Roll it up in Vietnamese spring rolls, or layer it into a banh mi for a fresh, crunchy contrast. Safe to say, this salad earns its place at any Asian-inspired table.
Explore tasty variations of this salad
Because this Asian carrot salad is so simple at its core, it is easy to build on with whatever you have in your kitchen. For a Thai-inspired twist, squeeze in some lime juice for freshness and swap the sesame seeds for finely chopped peanuts. If you are drawn to Korean flavours, a spoonful of gochujang adds a fiery heat.
Vegetables and fruit are another direction worth exploring. Red cabbage softens and absorbs the dressing in much the same way as the carrots, while spring onions add a welcome sharpness and crunch. Apples, shaved into ribbons, add a juicy, sweet, and tart note, while mango, in thin strips, offers a lush, tropical sweetness that pairs well with Thai or Vietnamese dishes.
Check out our easy and quick recipes when you want something delicious but do not have the time to prepare much. You can also find more inspiration among our quick recipes for dinner and quick and easy pasta recipes.
