Description
A bright and creamy carrot ribbon salad tossed with a velvety tahini lemon dressing, perfect as a light lunch or refreshing side dish. Quick and easy to prepare, this salad offers a satisfying crisp texture and vibrant flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (about 300 grams) fresh large carrots, peeled into long ribbons
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) smooth tahini paste
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) maple syrup or honey
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Peel the carrots using a vegetable peeler to create long, thin ribbons. Rotate carrots as you peel to get consistent strips. If any ribbons are too thick, slice them in half lengthwise for even texture. (5-7 minutes)
- In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup or honey, minced garlic, and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the dressing is too thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth and pourable. (5 minutes)
- Place the carrot ribbons in a large mixing bowl and drizzle the dressing over them. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every ribbon without bruising them. The ribbons should be glossy but still crisp. (2-3 minutes)
- Fold in chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if using. Sprinkle toasted seeds or nuts on top for crunch and extra flavor. Give it one last gentle toss. (2 minutes)
- Let the salad sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld, but not so long that the carrots lose their snap.
Notes
Use a sharp vegetable peeler for thin, even carrot ribbons. Whisk dressing vigorously to emulsify tahini properly. Toss salad close to serving time to keep carrots crisp. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. For a warm salad, briefly steam carrot ribbons until tender-crisp before tossing with dressing. Optional add-ins include fresh herbs, toasted seeds, nuts, or a pinch of smoked sea salt or chili flakes for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
Keywords: carrot salad, tahini dressing, lemon dressing, healthy salad, vegan salad, gluten-free salad, easy salad recipe, fresh carrot ribbons