The Tik Tok hype for the Carrot Ribbon Salad is real! The salad is super flavorful from the fresh herbs and soy sauce dressing! The best part, the salad comes together in less than 20 minutes and is healthy to eat every day.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Carrot salad has been very popular all over Tik Tok created by Cassie Yeung Money. The flavor profile of this salad is acidic, savory, sweet with a nice crispy texture. My recipe kind of combines all her recipes together with my own spin and sauce measurements. Whether you’re prepping it for a weeknight dinner or as a stunning addition to a family spread, you need to try this dish!
You can serve this with Korean Chicken Wings for a tasty combo or go with Creamy Garlic Chicken for an extra indulgent twist!
Ingredients
Here’s a look at what you need to make this Carrot Salad. The highlights are here but the full ingredient list and quantities of each are in the recipe card.
- Carrots – use a vegetable peeler and peel the carrot in ribbon form. I love to use rainbow carrots for a variety of color but it is not required!
- Dill (can sub with cilantro or parsley) – fresh herbs make this dish taste extra fresh and fragrant. Dry herbs don’t taste the same!
- Red onion – slice extra thin so you don’t taste the spiciness of the onion. You can also sub with white onions or shallots.
- Rice vinegar – I love adding this versus other types of vinegar because it’s less sour. You can find this at asian grocery stores.
- Soy sauce – adds saltiness to the carrot dressing since we’re not using any salt. I recommend using low sodium if you have it.
- Chili oil – use your favorite chili oil. I love using my homemade chili oil for this.
- Lime – you need to freshly squeeze lime to add acidity and fragrance. You can also use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Grated Garlic – the sharpness of the garlic gives the sauce the perfect balance of flavor. Make sure it is grated so you’re not eating chunks of raw garlic (it can be spicy).
Substitutions and Variations
- No dill? No problem. Use your favorite herb! Cilantro and basil brings a fresh, bold flavor. Parsley keeps it mellow and bright. Mint also works for a refreshing twist.
- If you don’t have rice vinegar, try apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar—they’ll still give a nice tang.
- Add-ins: Toss in some crushed peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, or even shredded cabbage to bulk it up and add crunch. Add shredded chicken for extra protein!
How to Make Carrot Salad
Step 1: Wash and peel skin of carrots.
Step 2: Use a peeler to make ribbon slices of the carrots.
Step 3: Thinly slice red onion. Remove the stems of the dill and roughly chop the dill leaves.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine red onion, dill, carrots, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil, grated garlic and freshly squeezed lime juice. Toss well and serve!
Expert Tips
- Soak the red onions in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow them out. Makes the salad taste little less spicy! This is an optional step if you’re not an onion lover like me.
- Grate your garlic finely: A fine grater helps melt the garlic into the carrot salad dressing so you don’t get big bites of raw garlic.
- Use fresh herbs like dill or cilantro. Using dried herbs doesn’t make the salad taste as fresh.
- If you have a limpy carrot, soak them in ice water for 30 minutes to an hour. It will make them crunchy again.
Recipe FAQs
This carrot ribbon salad is great as a side salad. To make it a full meal, I recommend to make a rice bowl with One Pot Gyudon, One Pan Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) or Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken. It also pairs wonderfully with dishes like Creamy Tofu Udon Noodles with Minced Pork.
Carrot salad should be eaten right away. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. I find that the carrot texture can be off when it is in the fridge for more 1 day.
To make it more of a complete meal, try adding chickpeas, shredded chicken, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts or seeds like sesame or peanuts. It pairs great with rice bowls too!
Yes, you can! Pre-shredded carrots work in a pinch, but ribboned carrots give a softer texture and prettier presentation. If using shredded, let them sit in the dressing a little longer to absorb more flavor.
Check Out More Asian Side Dishes:
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Viral Carrot Ribbon Salad on Tik Tok
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and peel skin of carrots.
- Use a peeler to make ribbon slices of the carrots.
- Thinly slice red onion. Remove the stems of the dill and roughly chop the dill leaves.
- In a large bowl, combine red onion, dill, carrots, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil, grated garlic and freshly squeezed lime juice. Toss well and serve!
Notes
- Soak the red onions in cold water (optional but worth it): If raw onions are a bit too sharp for you, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow them out. Makes the salad taste a bit cleaner!
- Grate your garlic finely: A fine grater helps melt the garlic into the dressing so you don’t get big bites of raw garlic.
- Let it sit for 10–15 mins before serving: This lets the flavors soak into the carrots and gives you that slightly pickled, tangy goodness.
Team Cook With Dana says
Fresh, healthy and flavorful! The carrot ribbons are perfectly crunchy, and the soy sauce dressing with chili oil takes it to the next level. It’s quick to prepare and makes a beautiful, tasty addition to any family meal.