Description
This vibrant Carrot Ribbon Asian Salad is a quick, fresh, and flavorful dish featuring spiralized carrots tossed with a tangy and aromatic Asian-inspired dressing. Enhanced with green onions, chili, sesame seeds, and cilantro, it’s perfect as a light appetizer or a refreshing side dish, ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 large carrots, peeled and spiralized or cut into ribbons
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 small red chili, finely sliced (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables: Peel and spiralize or cut the carrots into ribbons. Thinly slice the green onions and red chili if using. Place all prepared vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine dressing ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and grated ginger until fully blended.
- Dress the salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the carrot mixture and toss gently to coat all ribbons evenly, ensuring each piece is flavorful.
- Marinate: Allow the salad to rest for 5 to 10 minutes so the flavors meld nicely and the carrots absorb the dressing.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the salad to a serving platter and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro for added texture and freshness.
- Optional chilling: Serve immediately or chill the salad in the refrigerator for up to one hour before serving to enhance crispness and flavor.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- Adjust the amount of red chili to control the heat level to your preference or omit if sensitive to spice.
- Use maple syrup for a vegan alternative to honey.
- Chilling the salad for a short time enhances the crisp texture of the carrots and deepens the flavors.
- Fresh ginger and garlic add aromatic depth—ensure they are minced and grated finely to blend well in the dressing.
