Ready in 10 minutes, made from simple pantry staples, and packed with maximum flavorthis raw carrot salad is the ultimate quick lunch or side dish!

Top down view of a plate of raw carrot salad with a pair of chopsticks on a side.

If you often find yourself struggling to decide what to cook, join our Plant Cooking Club on Substack! Every week, you get a delicious meal plan in your inbox. Not to mention a heartfelt community of plant-based people!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s super quick! This raw carrot salad is ready in under 10 minutes, perfect for busy days.
  • The ribbons of carrot, crisp onion, and pistachios have the best crunchy texture in every bite.
  • Naturally vibrant colors make it as visually appealing as it is tasty. Did you know that these colors also indicate the presence of phytonutrients that are good for you?
  • If you love the combination of sweet and spicy, this recipe is for you! Maple syrup, chili flakes, and rice vinegar create a perfectly balanced flavor.
  • Making this raw carrot salad in a jar is not only meal prep friendly, it’s also easy to store and grab to go.

Key Ingredients

  • Carrots are the star of the show. They are naturally sweet, crunchy, and bursting with color.
  • Red onion adds sharpness and a slight bite to contrast the sweetness of the carrots.
  • Cilantro brings a fresh, herbaceous note that lifts the entire salad.
  • Sesame seeds and pistachios add a nutty crunch with a little healthy fat.

Hack It!

  • For a nut-free option, swap pistachios for roasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
  • You can only use toasted sesame seeds instead of sesame oil for an oil-free recipe version.
  • I think it’s delicious all on its own, but you can also serve it as a part of a bigger meal. Try it with rice and “honey” garlic tofu – yum!
  • Similarly, you can use this raw carrot salad in a sandwich or wrap. It brightens the flavors and provides a splash of color!
  • Scale up in an instant for a larger portion or a big household.

How to Make Raw Carrot Salad

Step 1: Thinly slice onions and carrots (you can use a vegetable peeler for thin strips). Add the carrots, red onion and cilantro to a jar.

Step 2: Throw in maple syrup, vinegar, chili flakes, sesame oil, sesame seeds and pistachios. 

Step 3: Close the jar, and shake until completely mixed. Alternatively, mix everything together in a big salad bowl.

Step 4: Enjoy immediately or let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours, It’s delicious either wapy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it keep?

Refrigerate in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 days. Shake or toss before serving.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots?

Absolutely, just make sure they’re fresh for the best texture.

Can I use frozen or cooked carrots?

You wouldn’t get the signature crunch with cooked carrots, but you can still enjoy the dressing on those.

Can I adjust the spice level?

Of course! Reduce or omit the chili flakes for a milder version, or add more for extra heat.

More Plant-Based Quickies

If you like having your recipes in physical form, watch out for sales on PlantYou Cookbooks! Each book is a treasure trove of plant-based recipes that are suitable for beginners, low budgets, and even lazy cooks.

A plate full of vibrant raw carrot salad, with a jar of leftovers visible in the background.

The Recipe: Raw Carrot Salad

Vibrant, deqlicious, and ready instantly! This salad is the perfect light lunch or side dish.
5 from 1 rating

Ingredients

  • 2 carrots, julienned or peeled into ribbons
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 handful cilantro, finely chopped
  • ½ tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp chili flakes
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil, or avocado oil
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup pistachios, crushed

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Add the carrots, red onion and cilantro to a jar, followed by the maple syrup, vinegar, chili flakes, sesame oil, sesame seeds and pistachios. 
  • Add a lid to the jar, and shake until completely mixed. Pour into a dish and enjoy. Alternatively stir all ingredients in a big bowl and enjoy. 

Notes

  • For a nut-free option, swap pistachios for roasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
  • You can only use toasted sesame seeds instead of sesame oil for an oil-free recipe version.
  • I think it’s delicious all on its own, but you can also serve it as a part of a bigger meal. Try it with rice and “honey” garlic tofu – yum!
  • Similarly, you can use this raw carrot salad in a sandwich or wrap. It brightens the flavors and provides a splash of color!
  • Scale up in an instant for a larger portion or a big household.
Calories: 180.3kcal, Carbohydrates: 17.5g, Protein: 4.9g, Fat: 11.3g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5.3g, Sodium: 61.6mg, Potassium: 452.9mg, Fiber: 4.6g, Sugar: 8.3g, Vitamin A: 10686.8IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 91.8mg, Iron: 1.6mg