Description
This vibrant CarrotRibbon Salad is a celebration of fresh flavors and textures. Thinly shaved carrot ribbons are tossed in a creamy tahini-lemon dressing, then topped with toasted pistachios, fresh mint, and parsley for a refreshing twist. Perfect as a side dish or light lunch, this salad is quick to prepare yet delivers complex flavors that feel like spring on a plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil (good-quality extra virgin)
- 1 Tbsp. tahini (preferably hulled)
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tablespoons, freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp. honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ tsp. kosher salt (or flaky sea salt)
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp. ground cumin (toasted and freshly ground if possible)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 lb. carrots (6–8 medium, preferably multicolored)
- ¼ cup salted roasted pistachios, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing Foundation: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of hot water until smooth. Add honey, salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne. Whisk again until fully incorporated.
- Create Your Carrot Ribbons: Use a vegetable peeler to shave carrots into thin ribbons. Rotate the carrot as you peel to create even ribbons, stopping when you reach the core.
- Combine and Toss: Add carrot ribbons to the dressing and toss gently to coat each ribbon evenly. Add more hot water if needed to achieve the right consistency.
- Add Herbs and Nuts: Sprinkle pistachios, mint, and parsley over the dressed ribbons. Fold gently to distribute without breaking the ribbons.
- Final Flourish: Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with additional mint leaves, and serve at room temperature for maximum flavor.
Notes
Tips & Tricks for Perfect CarrotRibbon Salad:
- Temperature Matters: Let the salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
- Ribbon Technique: Apply consistent pressure when peeling carrots for uniform ribbons. Slightly dampen your cutting board to prevent slipping.
- Dressing Balance: Adjust tahini, lemon, and honey to achieve equal notes of nuttiness, acidity, and sweetness.
- Herb Preparation: Chop herbs just before adding to preserve their vibrant color and aroma.
- Make-Ahead Strategy: Keep components separate until 30 minutes before serving to maintain texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4th of recipe)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: carrot ribbon salad, tahini dressing, healthy salad, no-cook recipe