Viral Shaved Carrot Salad

This viral shaved carrot salad is all over TikTok and with good reason. It’s light, tangy, and crunchy, made with thin carrot ribbons, a sesame-soy dressing, and no mayo in sight.

I gave the viral carrot ribbon salad a try, and while it’s not my usual go-to, the texture and flavor are surprisingly satisfying. Scroll down for the full recipe and see if it earns a spot on your menu too.

Ingredients

• 6 large rainbow carrots
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Splash of lemon or lime juice (optional)
• Sesame seeds, for topping
• Chopped fresh chives, for garnish

• This version definitely has an Asian flair, but its not as close to the Korean carrot salad that most people try; that is much spicier.

Best way to Shave Carrots Into Ribbons

Skip the julienne slicer; this works best with a basic vegetable peeler and a cutting board. Place the carrot flat on the board, hold one end, and use the peeler to shave off long, thin strips.

Rotate the carrot slightly after each pass, and keep going until it’s too small to hold safely. You’ll be left with some small bits that you can either snack on or toss.

How to make the Viral Carrot Salad Recipe

Wash and peel the carrots, discarding the outer skin.

Continue using the peeler to shave the carrots into thin ribbons. Place all ribbons in a large bowl.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and a splash of citrus juice if using.

Pour the dressing over the carrots and toss to coat evenly.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and let the flavors mingle.

When ready to serve, top with sesame seeds and chopped chives.

My honest opinion on this viral recipe: The flavor is there (thanks to a sesame-soy dressing), and if you like light raw salads or anything sesame-forward, you’ll probably enjoy it. I also used rainbow carrots instead of just orange ones, but that choice is yours.

Notes & Tips

• Serving size: This recipe makes approximately 2 small servings. If you’re prepping for more people, double or triple the recipe.
• How does it taste? It’s light, tangy, and nutty and not sweet like a traditional carrot salad recipe.
• Short on time? You can eat it right away, but like most side dish salads, it’s even better after it’s been refrigerated.
• Want it spicy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the dressing.

And if you liked this viral carrot ribbon salad, you’ll probably enjoy my spiral cucumber salad too. <—-Absolutely fantastic!!