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Crunchy, colorful, and bursting with fresh flavor, this Shaved Carrot Salad with Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing is the kind of salad you’ll crave on repeat. Vegan, gluten free, nut free, and packed with nutrients to support immunity and skin health.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Shaved Carrot Salad
- Fresh and flavorful. Thinly sliced rainbow carrots, juicy pomegranate seeds, fresh herbs, and a zippy dressing create the ultimate balance of savory-sweet flavor and crave-worthy crunch.
- Bold, crave-worthy dressing. The citrus miso-ginger dressing is SO vibrant and refreshing. It brings depth and umami to simple ingredients without overpowering them. (I suggest double-batching it and using the remaining on salads, grain bowls, or fish throughout the week.)
- Nourishing and naturally supportive. Brimming with nutrients that support immunity, skin health, and eye health, this carrot salad is ultra-nourishing.
- Easy yet impressive. This salad comes together quickly, yet looks colorful and elevated enough for dinner parties, holidays, or easy weeknight meals.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this salad the past month and just how quickly it disappears in our house.
My husband even declared it his new favorite Dishing Out Health salad, which speaks VOLUMES considering just how many salads I have on my site.
It pairs beautifully with just about any protein–chicken, chickpeas, fish, or tofu–or works as a standalone lunch when you’re craving something light and refreshing.
All you need is a vegetable peeler, large mixing bowl, and 25 minutes to bring this stunning salad to life.
And if you’re craving more simple, vibrant salads, check out my favorite cucumber salad recipes, Asparagus and Feta Salad, or this Mediterranean Lentil Salad.
The Ingredients
- Carrots: Shaved into thin ribbons, carrots offer sweetness, crunch, and a vibrant base of the salad. You can use all orange carrots or a mix of rainbow carrots for more contrast. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is great for immunity, skin, and eye health.
- Cilantro: Fresh and citrusy, cilantro lifts the salad with brightness and an herby edge. If you’re not a cilantro fan, use fresh parsley instead.
- Mint: Fresh mint adds a cooling note that makes this carrot salad even more refreshing.
- Sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds add nutty depth and extra crunch, while beautifully tying in the miso dressing.
- Pomegranate arils: Juicy and slightly tart, pomegranate adds a burst of flavor and color, while also contributing to the antioxidant load.
- Miso paste: Look for white miso paste, which is more mellow than other varieties. It adds savory complexity to the dressing without overpowering the other ingredients. (Miso paste is also the star ingredient in my reader-favorite Roasted Broccoli Salad.)
- Orange juice: Fresh orange juice (from 1 naval orange) adds natural sweetness and acidity to the dressing.
- Fresh ginger + garlic: These aromatics add warmth and zip to the dressing while also offering natural anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
- Rice vinegar: Light and slightly tangy, rice vinegar brightens the dressing with gentle acidity.
- Honey: Rounds out the dressing so it tastes smooth and balanced. Alternatively, you can use maple syrup or agave.
- Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil gives the dressing body and richness.
For a complete list of recipe ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.
Make it a Meal
Turn this shaved carrot salad into a meal by adding a protein and/or grain. For the protein, I suggest chickpeas, edamame, cubed or grated tofu, or shredded chicken. You can also mix in 1/2 cup of cooked farro, quinoa, or barley to make it extra satiating.
The Directions
Step 1: Prepare dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk well to combine.
Step 2: Shave carrots using a vegetable peeler into thin ribbons. Add to the bowl with dressing and toss to coat.
How to Shave Carrots
- Use a vegetable peeler. A standard Y-peeler works best for shaving the carrots into long, thin ribbons. Simply move the peeler up and down the length of the carrot.
- Rotate as you go. As one side of the carrot gets flat, rotate and continue peeling to create even ribbons.
- Stop once you reach the core. When the carrot becomes too thin to shave, save what’s left of the core for soup, stocks, or snacking.
Step 3: Add remaining salad ingredients (cilantro, mint, sesame seeds, and pomegranate) and toss to combine.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Add protein. Turn this shaved carrot salad into a full meal by adding chickpeas, tofu, shredded chicken, or edamame.
- Swap the herbs. If you’re not a cilantro fan, swap it for fresh parsley. You can also swap the fresh mint for basil.
- Use different nuts or seeds. Substitute or add sliced almonds, chopped cashews, pistachios, or peanuts in place of (or alongside) the sesame seeds for extra crunch.
- Add spice. For a kick of heat, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of Calabrian chiles or chili crunch to the dressing. Alternatively, you can add 1 fresh minced jalapeño to the mix.
- Bulk up the veggies. In addition to the shaved carrots, toss in some shaved cucumber, fennel, or red cabbage for extra vibrancy and bulk.
- Add grains. Another way to make this carrot salad more hearty is by adding 1/2 cup of cooked grains like farro, quinoa, or barley. (Crispy quinoa would also be a fun addition! The instructions can be found in the recipe for my Crispy Quinoa Salad.)
Storage Tips
- Store: Once assembled, carrot salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The carrots will continue to slightly soften, however the flavors will remain sharp. (I personally don’t mind the softening of the carrots.)
- Dressing storage: If you choose to make the dressing in advance, it will keep for 5 days refrigerated. Give it a good shake or whisk before serving to refresh the flavors and emulsify the texture.
More Popular Carrot Recipes
Coriander Roasted Carrots with Parsley and Pistachios
Harissa Roasted Carrots with Tahini Sauce
Roasted Carrots with Curried Yogurt (5 Ingredients)
Harissa-Honey Roasted Carrots
If you try this Shaved Carrot Salad, post a photo and tag #dishingouthealth so I can see your creations. Also, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates!
Carrot Salad with Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 naval orange)
- 1 Tbsp. white miso paste
- 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
- 1 tsp. honey
Carrot Salad
- 1.25 lbs. large carrots (rainbow or all orange)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
- 3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dressing ingredients (olive oil, orange juice, miso, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and honey). Whisk well to combine. Set aside.
- Shave carrots. Peel and discard the rough outer skin of carrots. Hold each carrot firmly by one end and use a vegetable peeler to shave long ribbons up and down the length of the carrot. Rotate the carrot as one side gets flat, and continue shaving until you reach the narrow core. (You can use what's left of the carrot in soups, stocks, or for snacking.) You should have roughly 12 ounces of shaved carrots by the end.Add shaved carrots to the bowl of dressing and toss to combine.
- Add remaining salad ingredients (cilantro, mint, pomegranate arils, and sesame seeds) and toss well to combine. Taste and season the salad with a pinch of salt, if desired. (I find that the miso paste adds just enough salt, but feel free to add a pinch more if you really want the flavors to pop.)Serve fresh.
Notes
- Store: Once assembled, the salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The carrots will continue to slightly soften, however the flavors will remain sharp. (I personally don’t mind the softening of the carrots.)
- Dressing storage: If you choose to make the dressing in advance, it will keep for 5 days refrigerated. Give it a good shake or whisk before serving to refresh the flavors and emulsify the texture.
Nutrition
I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.
My new #1 Dishing Out Health recipe. I am obsessed and it’s still incredible the next day.
This was absolutely delicious!!! We could not stop eating it. Also was great the next day, which I was worried the carrots would be soggy. We will make again and again!!
Love the recipe