The Grated carrot salad has simple and clean ingredients that even the strictest dieters can enjoy. The flavors of garlic and coriander give it an amazingly fragrant taste.
If you love salads, you should try this Tomato Garlic Salad or this Purple Cabbage Salad.
Table of contents
recipe details
If you’ve ever been to a Russian or Slavic wedding, you’ve probably seen this Shredded Carrot Salad. I love this traditional favorite because it’s really healthy while also being packed with flavor.
- TASTE GOOD: It has so much delicious fresh taste. The sweet carrots pair perfectly with the lemony, tangy notes of the spices, garlic and tangy vinegar.
- TEXTURE: This Shredded Carrot Salad is crunchy and juicy.
- TIME: It takes 25 minutes to assemble.
- EASE: This is a really simple dish and so easy to make. You only need a few ingredients and some spices that you probably already have on hand.
what you will need
Notes on ingredients
- grated carrots– Using full-size carrots is best for this recipe. They are much easier to shred than baby carrots and are nice and juicy.
- Oil- This gives the carrots a light finish. Use any oil you like, like olive oil or canola oil, but I used vegetable oil.
- Vinegar- Use white vinegar for a tangy flavor in this grated carrot salad. You can also use apple cider vinegar.
- granulated sugar– Some sweetness is the perfect counterpoint to the tangy spiciness of the other ingredients.
- Spices- For this salad we use ground coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. The cilantro has a lemony, floral flavor while the paprika is sweet. There is also some heat here.
- Garlic- Use fresh cloves for the best flavor.
Add-Ins and Substitutions
- Replace sugar and vinegar – If you are avoiding refined sugar, you can substitute honey for the granulated sugar. And if you prefer a more lemony flavor, use fresh lemon juice instead of the white vinegar.
- Add other flavor enhancers- Try this recipe with fresh herbs like parsley or chives, golden raisins, cranberries, apples, creamy mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or Dijon mustard. Also add additional spices like cumin.
- add nuts- Add chopped and toasted nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
- add beans- For some protein, you can add chickpeas or kidney beans to this shredded carrot salad.
How to Make Shredded Carrot Salad
- Make the spice mix. Combine salt, pepper, sugar, cilantro, paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl.
- Combine the carrots and spices. Mash the peeled carrot with a mandolin. Then put the grated carrots in a large bowl and mix with the spices.
- Add the vinegar. Pour in the white vinegar and mix thoroughly.
- Add oil and garlic. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan until smoking hot. Pour it over the seasoned shredded carrots and mix with the grated garlic.
Pro Tip: Use an oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil to avoid actually burning and smoking when heated.
recipe tips
- Use a different shredding method. You can use a mandolin to shred these carrots, or a box grater and food processor will do the job just fine too.
- premix spices- To ensure even distribution of the different flavors, mix the spices together in a separate bowl before adding to the carrots.
- Use an oil with a high smoke point These are oils that smoke at very high temperatures. Using vegetable or canola oil ensures they can be heated without burning.
- Use fresh garlic Using fresh cloves, which you grate yourself, gives this salad the freshest, best flavor. Pre-chopped garlic just isn’t that good.
frequently asked Questions
Wash and peel the large carrots. At the end, cut off the top and the green. Then place the carrot against a box grater and slide it down against the large holes to shred it. Turn the carrot every few pulls to shred it evenly. Be careful to keep your fingers away from the grater. You can also use a mandolin or food processor.
To prevent carrots from turning brown or drying out, place them in an airtight container. This slows down the degradation process. Vinegar or lemon juice will also help preserve them.
serving suggestions
Versatile and easy, this Shredded Carrot Salad makes a great side dish for any meal. Serve it with meat, pasta, soup or seafood.
- Meat: Serve this with braised beef, pork crown roast, ribeye steak or stuffed chicken thighs.
- seafood: Start with this salad before serving Cedar Plank Salmon, Volcano Roll, Simply Baked Cod with Vegetables (Cod en papillote), or Cilantro Lime Salmon.
- Pasta: Enjoy this shredded carrot salad with shrimp linguine, chicken and shrimp carbonara, chicken lasagna, or shrimp scampi pasta.
- soups: Pair this salad with a bowl of Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Easy French Onion Soup, Crab Soup, or Tortellini Soup.
Make this recipe ahead of time
Get ahead: You can prepare this salad by chopping the carrots in advance and making the seasoning mix. Then store the carrots in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
storage: Store any leftovers of this shredded carrot salad in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze this salad in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before turning and serving.
More delicious Russian dishes!
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Full Recipe Guide
Grated carrot salad
The flavors of garlic and cilantro give this grated carrot salad such a wonderful flavor. It’s almost hard to believe it’s that healthy.
Press Pen rate
Servings: 10
Calories: 144kcal
instructions
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In a small prep bowl, combine salt, pepper, sugar, coriander, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
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Wash and peel carrots, then chop with a mandolin. Place the grated carrots in a large bowl and mix with the spices.
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Add the vinegar and mix to coat thoroughly.
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Heat the vegetable oil in a pan until smoking hot. Pour it over the shredded carrots and toss with the grated garlic with tongs. The hot oil brings out aromas of garlic and spices.
Nourishment
Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 11G | Fat: 11G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 8thG | Sodium: 295mg | Potassium: 296mg | Fiber: 2G | Sugar: 6G | Vitamin A: 15230ie | Vitamin C: 5.6mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Note: This recipe was originally published on November 15th, 2016, we have since updated it.
Hello, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I think life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be amazed at how quickly a healthy and delicious meal can be prepared. I hope you find something you enjoy!