This vibrant spiced shaved carrot salad with ginger-lime vinaigrette transforms the humble carrot (a veggie I don't typically like!) into an irresistible dish that combines crisp, refreshing ribbons with a tangy blend of lime, ginger, garlic, honey, and warm spices. Cut just thick enough to retain their crunch and topped with cilantro, jalapeño, and toasted hazelnuts, this perfect quick and healthy meal comes together in just 30 minutes.
This shaved carrot salad is refreshing and light enough for spring picnics and summer potlucks, yet colorful enough to brighten even the darkest winter day. The combination of aromatic coriander, cumin, cardamom, lime, ginger, garlic, and a gentle kick from jalapeño creates a unique flavor profile you won't find in other carrot dishes. Gluten-free and vegetarian, it's a versatile dish that adapts to any season or occasion.
For a complete vegetarian meal, pair this spiced shaved carrot salad with ginger-lime vinaigrette with a Panelle Sandwich with Fennel Slaw, or offer it along side a Crispy Feta Potato Rosti. Or for the omnivores out there, serve it along side an herb-roasted chicken.
❤️ You'll love this raw carrot 🥕 salad because...
- Ready in less than 30 minutes - Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute entertaining when you need a quick, flavorful side dish that requires minimal cooking
- Perfectly balanced flavor profile - The combo of ginger, garlic, cardamom, cumin, and coriander create the ideal spice combination for carrots that really lets the carrots' natural sweetness shine
- An easy way to get more veggies in your body - A lot of people struggle to get enough vegetables in their diet and this spiced raw carrot salad is an easy, delicious way to get more veggies
- Packed with nutrients - Raw carrots are easier to digest and contain more nutritious than cooked carrots. They are extremely rich in beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A, necessary for immune system and eye health), and are also high in fiber which aids digestion making them good for your gut!
- Hormone-balancing - Raw carrot salads went viral for a hot second on TikTok with claims that carrots can help support healthy estrogen metabolism, essentially balancing your hormones. I haven't been able to find ANY scientific data on this, but it couldn't hurt to try especially if you're into functional food.
- Impressive presentation with minimal effort - While I used colorful rainbow carrots, normal orange carrot ribbons would make just as beautiful and restaurant-worthy of a shaved carrot salad
- Versatile for any occasion - Works well as a light lunch, dinner side, potluck dish, meal prep option that stays fresh for days in the refrigerator
- No mayonnaise - This salad uses a light, bright ginger-lime vinaigrette sweetened with honey instead of mayo (which is common in other recipes), making it picnic and potluck friendly
- Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian
- It's really fucking good - I'm not the biggest fan of carrots but I ate all of this
🥘 Ingredients
- Carrots - While rainbow carrots are pretty, standard orange carrots work perfectly fine too
- Lime - We'll use the zest of the lime as well as the juice for bright acidity. Generally, I find limes more flavorful than lemons
- Ginger - Adds warmth that pairs well with the other aromatics and carrots
- Garlic - Adds a bite that pairs well with the other aromatics and carrots
- Extra virgin olive oil - Use a quality oil since it won't be cooked
- Ground coriander - Adds warmth that pairs well with the other aromatics and carrots
- Ground cumin - Adds warmth that pairs well with the other aromatics and carrots
- Ground cardamom - Adds warmth that pairs well with the other aromatics and carrots
- Honey - Helps bring out the natural sweetness of the carrots
- Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt - The preferred salt for many chefs and home cooks.
- Black pepper
- Jalapeño - Adds a clean, direct heat! Food should be comfortable for you, so please please please adjust the amount you use and/or remove the seeds and ribs based on your tolerance
- Cilantro - Adds a cooling brightness and herbaceous freshness. One of my favorite herbs.
- Hazelnuts - Toasted for enhanced nuttiness and essential textural contrast. Not optional
See recipe card for quantities.
🍽 Equipment
- Vegetable peeler - My favorite type of vegetable peeler is Y peeler. They're inexpensive, more ergonomic, and just so happen to be the perfect tool to shave carrots for salads
- Cutting board - Remember that plastic and wooden cutting boards are recommended over glass and other materials because glass cutting dull knives and provide no grip so food slides around; while wooden and plastic cutting boards are both much more gentle on knives AND have their own merits
- A good chef's knife - I use an 8 inch Victorinox Swiss Army chef's knife I bought back in 2018 that desperately needs to be sharpened, but it's held up beautifully. Use any larger, sharp knife that's comfortable for you
- Small jar or bowl with whisk - For making the spiced ginger-lime vinaigrette (shake in a jar or whisk in the bowl)
- Large bowl - For tossing all of the ingredients together
- Tossing utensils - After the salad is dressed, you can use one or two forks or spoons, a set of serving utensils, or (my favorite) clean hands to toss your shaved carrot salad until it's coated in the ginger-lime vinaigrette
- Small skillet - For dry toasting the hazelnuts
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
🥕 Make Carrot Ribbons - Shave the Carrots
Step 1: Peel the carrots
Step 2: Carefully shave using a Y peeler
Prep Other Ingredients
Step 3: Dice jalapeños
Step 4: Roughly chop cilantro
Step 5: Toast hazelnuts in skillet over medium heat
Step 6: Roughly chop hazelnuts
Prep the Spiced Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette
Step 7: Put olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, ginger, garlic, honey, salt, pepper, coriander, cumin, and cardamom in jar
Step 8: Shake until combined
Mix All Together
Step 9: Add vinaigrette, cilantro, and jalapeños to shaved carrot ribbons
Step 10: Toss
Step 11: Top with toasted hazelnuts and more cilantro
Step 12: Enjoy!
💡 Tips and Tricks
Shaving the Carrots
- Use a Y-peeler for perfect ribbons - I also tried shaving the carrots with my mandoline slicer, but had a harder time with that so I recommend the Y-peeler. Hold the carrot firmly on the cutting board and pull the peeler along the length of the carrot with steady, even pressure to shave an even ribbon.
- Cold Carrots Are Easier to Shave - Cold carrots will be easier to shave, so make sure you keep them in the fridge until it's time to shave them.
- Use a box grater instead - For quicker prep, use the coarse side of a box grater instead of shaving with a Y-peeler. It'll be just as delicious.
Maximizing Flavor
- Don't Skip Dry-Toasting Your Hazelnuts - Dry-toasting your hazelnuts releases oils, enhancing their nuttiness and crisps them up a bit, creating more crunch that perfectly compliments this shaved carrot salad.
- Let it marinate - Allow the prepared salad to rest for about 20 minutes before serving to give the carrots time to slightly soften and the flavors to meld.
- Make the ginger-lime vinaigrette ahead - Preparing the vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance and storing it in the fridge will save time and let the flavors of the vinaigrette develop.
- Save some garnishes - Set aside a small handful of cilantro and hazelnuts to sprinkle on top of the shaved carrot salad just before serving to really make it pretty.
Add the Vinaigrette Gradually
Add the spiced ginger-lime vinaigrette to the shaved carrots bit by bit, tasting as you go to add the perfect amount of vinaigrette for you. I ended up adding all of it, but you may like less vinaigrette depending on your own tastes.
Customize the Heat Level
Please please please adjust the amount of jalapeño you use based on your tolerance.
Capsaicin, the chemical that causes the burning sensation when you eat spicy foods, is concentrated primarily around the seeds and in the whitish-green ribs of the jalapeño. (Nerds: This part is colloquially called the "pith", technically called the "placenta".)
So for a milder heat level, remove the ribs and the seeds, and start by adding half of the amount of jalapeño suggested below. Taste, and then add more if necessary to adjust the heat level to your tastes.
Make-Ahead Instructions
If you're making this spiced shaved carrot salad with ginger-lime vinaigrette ahead of time, up to two days before serving
- Shave the carrots, dice the jalapeño, and store together in a container with a tight-fitting lid
- Prepare the vinaigrette
- Dry-toast, roughly chop the hazelnuts, and store in a container with a tightly fitting lid
The the day you plan on serving the salad
- Roughly chop cilantro
- Combine all ingredients together, remembering to reserve some of the toasted hazelnuts and cilantro for garnish
👯 Substitutions
This spiced shaved carrot salad with ginger-lime vinaigrette is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, making it suitable for many dietary needs. I suggest the following substitutions if you don't have everything:
- Hazelnuts - Pecans have a lovely butteriness about them that would go well with this salad. Almonds have a more neutral taste and are usable. For a nut-free version, try dry-toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
- Honey - Vegan-friendly maple syrup or agave (use half the listed amount of agave if you decide to sub that since agave is about twice as sweet as honey) would work well here. Date syrup would work beautifully with the warm spices, although it's not something my friends usually have on hand so you might not either.
- Jalapeño - For a mild version, remove the ribs and the seeds and start by adding only a bit and increase to your tastes. You could also substitute with a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you want more heat, use a serrano pepper instead. Omit completely for a spice-free version.
- Olive oil - You could also choose a healthy neutral-tasting oil, such as avocado oil (my favorite) or grapeseed oil.
📖 Variations
- Extra-spicy - Substitute the jalapeño with a serrano pepper (partially or completely) for more heat
- Spice-free - Omit the jalapeño completely
Serving suggestions
This flavorful, crisp raw shaved carrot salad pairs beautiful with all kinds of dishes for many different occasions.
Pairings
- Grilled proteins - Because this salad is bright and tangy, it goes well with grilled chicken, fish, or tofu
- Mediterranean dishes - Serve it with falafel, hummus, and warm pita bread as part of a mezze platter
- Sandwiches - Add the shaved carrot salad directly to sandwiches and wraps for extra crunch and flavor
- Grain bowls - Put it on top of your rice, quinoa, farro bowls along side a grilled protein and other veggies
Occasions
- Picnics and potlucks - This salad travels well (thanks to the lack of mayo) and doesn't wilt like delicate salads made with lettuce
- Make ahead lunches - Prep then enjoy it for the next 4 day
- Dinner parties - Vibrant, flavorful, and effortlessly chic, this salad is perfect to stun dinner guests
- Holiday meals - Speaking as someone who came from a very meat-centric household growing up, we could have always used more crispy veggies like this carrot salad to offset heavier holiday mains
- Winter pick me up - Carrots are technically a winter veggie (and when grown in winter are sweeter and more flavorful) so this salad is the perfect little side dish to add brightness and warmth to long winters
🫙 Storage and Shelf Life
Refrigerating
This shaved carrot salad will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.
If you notice a slimy texture, funny smell, or a lot of liquid pooling at the bottom of the container, it's best to throw the spiced shaved carrot salad away.
Freezing
Unfortunately, you cannot freeze spiced shaved carrot salad. The vinaigrette will likely separate when thawed, plus the carrots will lose their crispness.
🙋 FAQ
Do you have to peel carrots for salad?
No, peeling is optional. If you skip peeling, make sure you thoroughly wash them, perhaps even with a scrub brush. I peel mine because I find the peel bitter tasting. Some people also prefer peeling carrots because it makes them look smoother and more uniform.
Does raw carrot reduce estrogen?
This claim went viral on social media, but there's limited scientific evidence supporting it. If you've found credible studies on this topic, please share in the comments! Still, raw carrots are nutritious whether or not they significantly impact hormone levels.
Do you wash carrots before cutting?
Yes, you should wash your carrots before cutting them. If you don't, cutting them will transfer bacteria on the surface to the inside of the carrots.
Does this shaved carrot salad get better with time?
Yes! The flavors will continue to develop and deepen as the carrots marinate in the vinaigrette and the spices fully meld.
Can I make this salad with a food processor?
Yes, many food processors have a shredding attachment that works well. The texture will be different from hand-shaved ribbons—more like traditional coleslaw—but still delicious.
Can I meal prep this salad?
Absolutely! Within 1 day it'll improve, and it'll stay fresh for up to 4 days.
🤩 Recommended
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Spiced Shaved Carrot Salad with Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ pound carrots about 3-4 large carrots, I used rainbow but no need to
- ½ a small jalapeño, diced (Optional: seeds and ribs removed for less heat - SEE NOTE 1 ABOUT SPICINESS)
- ¼ cup cilantro roughly chopped
- ¼ cup whole hazelnuts unsalted
For the Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette
- 1 lime, zested AND juiced about 2 tablespoon of lime juice
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced
- 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
- a pinch ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
Prepare the Carrots
- Peel the carrots.
- Shave into ribbons. Hold each carrot firmly on a cutting board and pull a Y-peeler along the length with steady pressure. Place ribbons in a large bowl.
Make the Vinaigrette
- Combine vinaigrette ingredients. In a small jar, add lime zest, lime juice, minced ginger, minced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground cardamom, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Emulsify the vinaigrette. Seal the jar and shake vigorously until well combined. Alternatively if you don't have a small jar or container, whisk ingredients in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed.
- Taste and adjust. Taste your vinaigrette and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Toast and Prepare the Nuts
- Toast the hazelnuts. Heat a small skillet over medium heat (no oil needed). Add hazelnuts and toast for 3-5 minutes, occasionally shaking the pan, until fragrant and slightly darkened.
- Chop the nuts. Roughly chop the toasted hazelnuts and set aside.
Assemble the Salad
- Combine ingredients. To the bowl of the carrot ribbons, add diced jalapeño, ¾ of the chopped cilantro, and ¾ of the chopped hazelnuts.
- Add vinaigrette. Start by adding half the vinaigrette, tossing gently with your hands, tongs, or another utensil. Add more vinaigrette to taste (I typically use all of it).
- Garnish and serve. Transfer to a serving platter and top with remaining hazelnuts and cilantro.
Video
Notes
- For a milder salad, remove seeds and ribs from the jalapeño before dicing. For extra heat, include some or all of the seeds OR even use a serrano pepper. For more info, see above section "Customize the Heat Level".
Julian says
I also hate carrots, but something about this dressing made it so much better