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Asian Carrot Salad

Asian Carrot Salad
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This Asian Carrot Salad is a quick, vibrant, and refreshing dish featuring crisp shredded carrots tossed in a zesty and tangy dressing with sesame, lime, and ginger flavors. Perfect as a light lunch, colorful side, or picnic addition, it delivers a delightful combination of crunch, zest, and freshness that complements a variety of meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 4 cups fresh carrots, shredded or julienned
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or green onions
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded red or green cabbage
  • Optional: 1/2 cup julienned bell peppers
  • Optional: 1/4 cup mandarin orange segments

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (or agave nectar as vegan alternative)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Optional: chili flakes or fresh chili, to taste

Garnishes

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts or cashews

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Carrots: Wash and peel the carrots, then shred or julienne them evenly to ensure consistent crunch and flavor in every bite.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce or tamari, honey or maple syrup, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, fresh lime juice, and optional chili flakes until well combined and smooth.
  3. Toss Carrots with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the shredded carrots and toss thoroughly to coat each strand, allowing the flavors to fully infuse the vegetables.
  4. Add Fresh Herbs and Garnishes: Fold in chopped cilantro or green onions, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for extra texture and flavor.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld perfectly before serving.

Notes

  • Use a food processor for quick and uniform carrot shredding.
  • Adjust sweetness by adding more honey or syrup if preferred.
  • Toast sesame seeds to enhance their nutty flavor.
  • Always use fresh ginger for a bright, sharp kick instead of powdered ginger.
  • Chilling the salad allows flavors to marry beautifully.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
  • The salad is best fresh; avoid freezing to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Asian carrot salad, carrot salad, gluten-free salad, fresh vegetable salad, healthy side dish, quick salad, sesame carrot salad

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/asian-carrot-salad/