Shaved carrots salad with toasted sesame seeds is like art to me. It is so pretty, so generous on the plate, and the best part – so easy to make. I have always loved carrots for their bright colour, their subtle sweetness, and that lovely boost of carotene they bring to every meal. Honestly, I could eat a simple shredded carrot salad with a light dressing every single day and never get tired of it.
But when you take it one step further and make a shaved carrot salad with toasted sesame seeds, the full flavour of the carrots and that unique smokey flavour of the sesame just come alive together in the most beautiful way.
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Why I Love The Shaved Carrots Salad
Number one is that it’s incredibly simple to make carrot salad Asian style. It literally takes you 5 minutes to prep and assemble, which is exactly what you need on a busy day when you are tired and done and just want something on the table without a whole production.
It also works as a great side dish to so many mains, from grilled chicken to fish to a simple bowl of rice. But I often make a larger portion and eat it as a light lunch on its own, because the sesame oil makes it surprisingly filling. The healthy fat in sesame keeps you satisfied longer than you would expect from a salad, and it genuinely feels like a full meal.
And the nutrition is just a beautiful bonus. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A, and vitamin A does so much good work quietly in the background. It supports your eye health, helps keep your skin healthy, strengthens your immune system, and keeps your heart and lungs functioning well.
Carrots also carry a good amount of vitamin C, that helps fight colds year round. Plus carrots are low in calories, and honestly one of the most underrated things sitting in your fridge right now.
There is so much potential in that bright orange goodie there.
What You Will Need for Carrot Sesame Salad Recipe
You will be pleasantly surprised by how little you actually need to make this carrot sesame salad. Here is what goes into it:
Carrots – You can absolutely go with simple carrots and the salad will still be wonderful. But I love adding a little more colour to my plate, so I reach for heirloom carrots instead. Heirloom carrots are those gorgeous rainbow-coloured ones you sometimes spot at the market, and they are worth grabbing when you see them. Each colour actually brings its own flavour and its own nutritional benefit.
Sesame oil – This is a must and there is no real substitute for it to make the carrot sesame salad properly. It is what gives the dressing that deep, warm, nutty flavour that makes the whole salad rich and satisfying.
Soy sauce – This is what seasons the salad and adds that savoury depth that balances the natural sweetness of the carrots perfectly.
Dijon mustard – I love adding mustard to dressings because it does two things at once: it brings a gentle sharpness that wakes everything up, and it also acts as an emulsifier, helping the dressing come together into a smooth, creamy texture.
Rice vinegar – Lighter and milder than regular vinegar, it adds just the right amount of tanginess and brightness to the dressing without overpowering the other flavours.
Honey – A small drizzle of sweetness to balance everything and round out the dressing. If you prefer, maple syrup works well as a substitute.
Toasted sesame seeds – They go on top right before serving the carrot sesame salad and add a lovely crunch and a warm, nutty flavour that ties the whole salad together. Toasting them for just a minute makes a real difference.
Fresh cilantro – the finishing touch that lifts everything and makes the bowl feel bright and fresh. If cilantro is not your favourite, flat-leaf parsley works just as well.
Equipment you will need to make carrot sesame salad
A vegetable peeler – This is your main tool for this carrot salad Asian recipe. Use it to peel the carrots first, then keep going to shave them into beautiful thin ribbons.
Large salad bowl – big enough to toss everything and serve.
Shaved Carrots Salad with Sesame Seeds
Course: SaladsCuisine: Asian, JapaneseDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes100
kcal3
minutesShaved carrot salad with Asian sesame dressing, toasted seeds and fresh herbs. Ready in 10 minutes and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
3 large carrots (heirloom or rainbow carrots)
- Asian Salad Dressing Ingredients
1 tablespoon sesame seed oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt and black pepper to taste
- Toppings
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
- Clean the carrots and peel off the skin.
- Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrots into long thin ribbons by running the peeler along the full length of each carrot and rotating as you go.
- Transfer the carrot ribbons into a large salad bowl.
- Prepare the Asian sesame dressing by adding all the dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisking until smooth and well combined.
- Taste the dressing and adjust with a pinch of salt and black pepper until everything feels balanced and just right.
- Drizzle the dressing over the carrots and toss well until every ribbon is nicely coated.
- Place a small pan over medium heat, add the sesame seeds, and toast for about one minute while shaking the pan frequently so they do not burn. Scatter them over the salad.
- Finish with a handful of fresh chopped cilantro, give everything one last gentle toss, and serve.
Notes
- You can swap the heirloom carrots for regular carrots, if that is what you have at home.
- Instead of honey, you can use drizzle maple syrup to balance the flavours.
NO IDEA WHAT TO COOK?
How to Serve The Shaved Carrots Salad
My favourite way to serve the carrot sesame salad is alongside a bowl of yellow rice. The warm, spiced rice and the fresh crunch of the shaved carrots is such a good combination. Simple, colourful, and genuinely good.
It also goes well with grilled meat or fish. Grilled chicken, a piece of salmon or trout, or even a simple white fish fillet all work really well.
And if you are having one of those days where you want something light and nourishing without a lot of effort, this salad holds its own completely as a meal on its own. Add few extra toppings like edamame and you have a full lunch that takes almost no time to put together.
How to Store Leftovers
This shaved carrot salad is at its absolute best the moment it is dressed and served. The ribbons are at their brightest, the sesame seeds are still crunchy, and the cilantro is perfectly fresh.
That said, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day. The carrots will soften a little and absorb more of the dressing as they sit, which actually deepens the flavour quite nicely. Just give it a good toss before serving and add a few fresh sesame seeds on top to bring some of that crunch back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular orange carrots instead of heirloom carrots to make carrot sesame salad?
Yes, regular carrots work perfectly well in this recipe and the flavour will be just as good. The heirloom ones just make it a little more beautiful on the plate.
Do I need any special equipment to make this salad?
Not at all. A regular vegetable peeler is the only tool you need to shave the carrots into ribbons, and you likely already have one sitting in your kitchen drawer.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can shave the carrots and prepare the Asian salad dressing separately and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to eat. Just combine them right before serving so the salad stays fresh and the sesame seeds stay crunchy.
What can I use instead of cilantro?
Parsley is the easiest swap and works really well here. Thinly sliced green onions are also a great option if you want a slightly different flavour.
Can I use something else instead of honey?
Yes, maple syrup is a wonderful substitute and gives the dressing a slightly deeper sweetness that works beautifully with the sesame oil.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Soy sauce contains gluten, but swapping it for tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce keeps the flavour almost identical and makes the whole dish safe for anyone avoiding gluten.
Can I add protein to make it more filling?
Definitely. Shredded chicken, crispy tofu, or edamame all mix in really well and turn this into a more substantial meal.
Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron! As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free. I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
