Raw Carrot Salad

This Raw Carrot Salad is bursting with vibrant colors, crispy and crunchy textures, and important vitamins and minerals. Ribboned carrots, cilantro, and sesame seeds are all tossed with a tangy vinaigrette that’s sweetened slightly with a touch of honey. Serve it as a light lunch, snack, or side dish!

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Why you’ll love this recipe

Healthy: This raw carrot salad contains beneficial nutrients and enzymes that help maintain healthy gut flora and support overall digestion.
Quick & easy: Simply shake up the dressing and toss it with raw carrots, cilantro, and sesame seeds. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Versatile: Serve it as a light lunch on the go, a mid-afternoon snack, or a side dish with your favorite proteins like steamed cod and cilantro lime chicken thighs.
Customizable: Add different herbs in place of cilantro, switch up the nuts or seeds, and create carrot ribbons or shreds. There are so many ways to make this recipe your own!

Closeup of purple and orange carrot salad.

TikTok raw carrot salad

This raw carrot salad has recently become an internet sensation, especially on TikTok! It’s a healthy and nutrient-dense dish that highlights the natural sweetness and crispiness of carrots.

The fresh flavors are enhanced by a slightly sweet and zesty dressing featuring lime juice, honey, and extra virgin olive oil. Not only does this salad stand out with its bright colors, but it provides unique textures and an elegant blend of flavors.

Bring it to picnics and barbecues, or serve it as a light and refreshing side with your favorite main dishes such as miso glazed salmon bites and albacore tuna salad.

Ingredients for carrot salad and dressing.

Ingredients & substitutions

Apple cider vinegar: Adds tartness and acidity that balances the sweet flavors.
Lime juice: Provides a citrusy zing and freshness. Feel free to use lemon juice instead.
Raw honey: Balances the tang of the vinegar and lime while keeping the salad raw. Substitute it with agave or maple syrup for a vegan option.
Flaky sea salt: Enhances the flavors of the dressing and the overall salad.
Olive oil: Provides a rich, silky-smooth dressing consistency. Make sure it’s extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor! You can also try avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
Carrots: Organic or farmer’s market carrots are my preferred choice since they are extra sweet and crispy. You can use any color such as white, purple, yellow, or orange.
Cilantro: Adds a bright, lemony, and peppery element to the salad. If you don’t enjoy the taste of cilantro, try fresh parsley or mint instead.
Sesame seeds: For a rich, nutty flavor and added crunch. To keep the salad fully raw, make sure they are not toasted. You can also try raw cashews, almonds, or pecans.

How to make raw carrot salad

Mix the dressing: Grab a mason jar and toss in all the dressing ingredients. Close the lid and shake it vigorously to properly emulsify the oil and vinegar.
Prepare the salad: First, you’ll want to peel the carrots. You can leave them unpeeled for added fiber, but make sure to wash and scrub them thoroughly. Use a peeler to create carrot ribbons. If you want curly tendrils, give the carrot ribbons an ice bath!
Assemble the salad: In a bowl, combine the carrot ribbons, cilantro, sesame seeds, and dressing. Toss it all together and add salt to taste, then transfer everything to a serving platter. Sprinkle your raw carrot salad with extra flaky sea salt for a garnish.

Raw carrot salad toppings

To elevate the flavors of this raw carrot salad even further, try serving it with extra garnishes and sides like these:

Chopped almonds, pecans, cashews, or walnuts
Raisins, dried cranberries, or dates
Fresh avocado slices
Crumbled feta or goat cheese
Steamed rice or quinoa

Serving suggestions

To create a more complete and hearty meal, serve your raw carrot salad alongside grilled proteins like these:

Frequently asked questions

Can I use pre-shredded carrots?

While you can use pre-shredded carrots, they aren’t as good as shredding fresh, organic carrots for the salad yourself.

Can I make this salad without cilantro?

Yes, you can swap out cilantro for another fresh herb. Some other options include parsley, mint, and dill.

Can I use a different type of vinegar in the dressing?

Yes, feel free to use white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or rice vinegar, but the flavor profile will be different.

Storage

If you have leftover raw carrot salad, just follow these storage instructions:

Fridge: Store the leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: Due to the use of fresh carrots and an oil-based dressing, this salad isn’t freezer-friendly. It’s best kept in the fridge.
Prep ahead: Mix the dressing up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. You can also ribbon the carrots and prepare the other ingredients ahead of time. Just make sure to toss the salad and dressing together immediately before serving.

Variations

Cabbage: Add shredded red cabbage for extra color, crunch, and antioxidant properties.
Umami-rich: Mix tamari or soy sauce into the dressing for a punch of savory, umami flavors.
Sugar-free: Use a sugar alternative, or leave the honey out altogether for a sugar-free raw carrot salad.
Spicy: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a touch of hot sauce for a little kick!

Top tips

Sharp peeler: Make sure you’re using a sharp peeler to create uniform carrot ribbons.
Ice bath: For extra curly carrots, don’t skip soaking the ribbons in an ice bath.
Taste and adjust: Taste the dressing and adjust it to your preference before adding it to the salad.
Rest: Let the salad rest for a few minutes after tossing it so the flavors meld together.

Hands mixing a bowl of carrot salad with a fork.

Looking for more side dishes?

If you enjoyed this raw carrot salad recipe, take a peek at some more popular salads and side dishes like these:

If you try this Raw Carrot Salad, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!

5-Minute Raw Carrot Salad

5 from 6 votes

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: servings

Author: Lena Gladstone

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This raw carrot salad is bursting with vibrant colors, crispy and crunchy textures, and important vitamins and minerals. Serve it as a light lunch, snack, or side!

Equipment

Ingredients

Dressing

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon raw honey
½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
3 tablespoons olive oil

Carrot Salad

2 large carrots, peeled (organic preferred)
¼ bunch cilantro, leaves
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 pinch flaky sea salt

Instructions