Description
This Cucumber Carrot Salad is a refreshing, quick, and nutrient-packed salad featuring crisp cucumbers and crunchy carrots combined with a spicy-sweet dressing made with gochugaru, sesame seeds, garlic, and fresh parsley. Ideal as a light meal or side dish, it offers bold flavors and vibrant textures that embody a healthy Asian-inspired salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, julienned or sliced thin
- 2 medium carrots, julienned
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar (can substitute with maple syrup or agave)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and dry the cucumber and carrots thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or a julienne peeler, cut both vegetables into thin julienne strips, placing them in a large mixing bowl.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, gochugaru, soy sauce, and sugar until fully combined, creating a spicy-sweet dressing.
- Combine Salad and Dressing: Pour the dressing over the julienned cucumbers and carrots. Add the minced garlic and chopped parsley, then toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add Sesame Seeds and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the salad and give it a final toss. Serve immediately to enjoy a fresh, crisp texture or let it sit for 10-15 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For best texture when storing, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving.
- Gochugaru can be substituted with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a similar heat.
- Leftover salad can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours but is best consumed fresh.
- Try experimenting with different dressings like peanut sauce or swapping parsley for cilantro or mint for variation.
- Adding chopped nuts such as almonds, peanuts, or cashews can enhance crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: asian, carrot, carrot salad, cucumber, cucumber salad, garlic, sesame, soysauce, vegan
