This crunchy raw carrot salad with oranges and coriander is a great side dish or meal that is healthy, refreshing, and nutritious.
While I like to make it mainly during the summer when carrots are in season, it is a delicious salad that one can enjoy all year. Loosely inspired by a recipe I saw on TikTok, I added oranges and coriander for an Asian twist.
I recently started experimenting with carrots, making carrot fries and carrot chutney, and I was surprised by your positive responses. So, here’s one more carrot recipe.
Why make this raw carrot salad recipe?
Nutrient-Rich: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins, and minerals. Oranges provide vitamin C, and lime juice adds a citrusy flavor and more vitamin C.
Fresh and Crunchy: Raw carrots and oranges in the salad offer a refreshing and crunchy texture.
Carrot Abundance: This is a great recipe when you have a surplus of carrots and don’t want to bother making Pickled Carrots.
Flavor Combination: The combination of cinnamon, coriander, and red onion adds a unique and flavorful twist to the salad, offering a balance of sweet, citrusy, and savory notes.
Quick and Easy: With only 20 minutes to make and hassle-free.
Diet-friendly: It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and optionally Paleo.
The Ingredients and Substitutes to make raw carrot salad
This cold carrot salad is easy to make with just few simple ingredients.
Shaved or Grated Carrot Salad?
While classical French carrot salads use grated carrots that soak up the classic vinaigrette with Dijon mustard and raisins better, In our recipe, carrot ribbons bring a satisfying crunch and absorb the vibrant flavors well.
Carrots add a natural sweetness to the salad. You can use any type of carrot, including baby carrot. You can also experiment with various colors. Just make sure you shave them thinly.
Oranges
Juicy oranges infuse the salad with a sweet, citrusy flavor. Packed with vitamin C, they bring a dose of immune-boosting properties.
Cilantro
Fresh coriander leaves, known as cilantro, enhance the salad’s aroma with a hint of Asian flair.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon powder adds a a warm and aromatic note to the salad. Known for potential health benefits, cinnamon makes it a flavorful and nutritious addition.
Lime Juice
Beyond its citrusy brightness, lime juice brings a refreshing element and zesty kick to the salad. You can also use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar instead.
Red onion
The slightly sweet and peppery taste and red hue of red onion are perfect for this salad. If you find it too strong, you can replace it with a milder flavor of yellow onion.
Oil (optional)
You can use any vegetable oil, olive oil or this green herb oil. It is optional, only if you like the silkier mouthfeel. For an Asian dressing, use sesame oil.
Maple syrup (optional)
I didn’t use it in this recipe, but if you want to add some sweetness to the dressing, maple, agave or orange syrup is a wise choice.
Salt and pepper to taste
Raw Carrot Salad Benefits and Tiktok Trend
Raw carrot salad isn’t just a TikTok phenomenon. The original raw carrot salad was developed by Dr. Ray Peat to promote hormone balancing. According to Dr. Peat raw carrots contain a unique fiber that helps bind to endotoxins and excess estrogen and safely eliminates them from the body. Estrogen dominance is a common hormonal imbalance in women who experience menstrual symptoms above, so by eliminating it via bowels help to reduce uncomfortable menstrual cycle symptoms. (1)
When female patients consumed a raw carrot salad once or twice a day, they reported relief from various menstrual symptoms. Raw carrots support hormonal balance and gut health. To ease gastrointestinal absorption, it works best on an empty stomach.
How to Make Carrot Salad
First step: Prepare the carrots and oranges
Wash, peel, and thinly ribbon the carrots using a vegetable peeler or mandoline. You can also use a slicing blade in a food processor.
Peel the oranges and cut them into small cubes.
Second step: Cut onion and cilantro
Peel the red onion and cut it into small cubes. Mince the coriander. If you make this salad ahead of time, add the herbs until the last minute.
Third step: make the vinaigrette
Mix oil, lime juice, maple syrup, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk well.
Fourth step: Combine the ingredients
Combine carrot slices, oranges, red onion, and fresh herbs in a large mixing bowl. Lastly, add a tangy dressing.
Best Tips and Tricks to make this recipe perfect
Slice the carrots thinly for a flexible texture.
Marinate the ribbons for 20 minutes before serving.
Use a mandoline or food processor for quick preparation.
Adjust the texture by changing the thickness and carrot shape, such as slices, spirals, or shredded for a salad.
Variations to this fresh Carrot Salad
- Experiment with adding other fresh herbs like, fresh parsley, or dill for added flavor and freshness.
- to add a crunchy element, toast pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds and serve them on the top of the salad.
- Add dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or apricots to balance the savory flavor.
- Introduce creamy avocado slices for a fat rich element in the salad.
- Sprinkle over some dandelion capers for a spring touch.
How to Store This simple Carrot Salad
Eat the salad within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. To store this shredded Carrot Salad, refrigerate it in an airtight container. If possible, separate the dressing. You can also incorporate moisture-absorbing ingredients like lettuce.
This simple raw carrot salad is unsuitable for freezing as it can affect texture.
Do carrots help hormonal acne?
Carrots contain beta-carotene, which can support overall skin health, but there isn’t strong evidence directly connecting them to hormonal acne improvement. Eating a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, including carrots, is good for your skin. Still, for specific acne concerns, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for personalized advice.
Is it okay to eat raw carrots everyday?
Yes, it’s generally okay to eat raw carrots or carrot juice every day as they are a nutritious vegetable. Carrots are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, particularly beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.
Crunchy Raw Carrot Salad
This crunchy raw carrot salad with oranges and coriander is a great side dish or meal that is healthy, refreshing, and nutritious.
Ingredients
- 3 medium size carrots
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 Oranges
- 1 Red onion
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon powder
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice (from 1/2 lime)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Oil (otional)
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and thinly ribbon the carrots using a vegetable peeler or mandoline. You can also use a slicing blade in a food processor. Peel the oranges and cut them into small cubes.
- Peel the red onion and cut it into small cubes. Mince the coriander. If you make this salad ahead of time, add the herbs until the last minute.
- Mix oil, lime juice, maple syrup, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk well.
- Combine carrot slices, oranges, red onion, and fresh herbs in a large mixing bowl. Lastly, add a tangy dressing.
Notes
Eat the salad within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. To store this shredded Carrot Salad, refrigerate it in an airtight container. If possible, separate the dressing. You can also incorporate moisture-absorbing ingredients like lettuce.
Recommended Products
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Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3-Piece Set, Nesting, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe)
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Mueller Austria Premium Quality V-Pro Multi Blade Adjustable Mandoline Cheese/Vegetable Slicer, Cutter, Shredder with Precise Maximum Adjustability
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Cuisinart C55-12PCKSAM 12 Piece Color Knife Set with Blade Guards (6 knives and 6 knife covers), Jewel - Amazon Exclusive
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 138Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 96mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 4gSugar: 11gProtein: 1g