Carrot Salad with Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing carrot salad tossed in a zesty citrus miso-ginger dressing, complemented by fresh herbs, pomegranate arils, and toasted sesame seeds. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack, this salad balances sweetness, tang, and umami in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 navel orange)
- 1 Tbsp. white miso paste
- 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
- 1 tsp. honey
Salad
- 1.25 lbs. large carrots (rainbow or all orange)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
- 3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine all dressing ingredients including olive oil, orange juice, miso paste, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and honey. Whisk thoroughly until all components are well blended, creating a smooth, flavorful dressing. Set this aside.
- Shave carrots: Peel the carrots to remove the outer rough skin. Hold each carrot securely and use a vegetable peeler to create long, thin ribbons by shaving down along the length of the carrot. Rotate as you go until the core is reached. Collect approximately 12 ounces of these shaved carrots. You can save the remaining carrot parts for soups or snacks. Add the shaved carrots directly into the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat evenly.
- Add salad ingredients: Incorporate the coarsely chopped cilantro, chopped mint leaves, pomegranate arils, and toasted sesame seeds into the bowl with the dressed carrots. Toss the mixture thoroughly to combine all flavors. Taste the salad and add a pinch of salt if desired to enhance the flavors further, although the miso paste usually provides enough saltiness.
- Serve fresh: Transfer the salad to a serving dish and enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh navel oranges for the best juice flavor in the dressing.
- Carrot ribbons can be replaced with matchstick-cut carrots if preferred.
- Leftover carrots can be saved for soups, stocks, or a healthy snack.
- Adjust salt cautiously as the miso paste is naturally salty.
- For extra crunch, lightly toast sesame seeds before adding.
- This salad is best served fresh and not stored for long periods as the carrot ribbons may soften.