Carrot Salad with Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing carrot salad tossed with a zesty citrus miso-ginger dressing, fresh herbs, pomegranate arils, and toasted sesame seeds. This easy-to-make salad combines crunchy shaved carrots with a flavorful, umami-packed dressing for a perfect appetizer or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 naval orange)
- 1 Tbsp. white miso paste
- 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
- 1 tsp. honey
Carrot 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 the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, orange juice, white miso paste, rice vinegar, grated ginger, grated or minced garlic, and honey. Whisk thoroughly until the ingredients are fully blended. Set the dressing aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Shave the carrots: Peel the carrots to remove the rough outer skin. Hold each carrot firmly and use a vegetable peeler to shave long, thin ribbons by peeling lengthwise. Rotate the carrot as one side flattens and continue this process until you reach the narrow core. You should have about 12 ounces of shaved carrot ribbons. Save any leftover carrot parts for soups, stocks, or snacking.
- Toss carrots with dressing: Add the shaved carrots to the bowl with the prepared citrus miso-ginger dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure the carrots are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add remaining salad ingredients: Incorporate the chopped cilantro, chopped mint leaves, pomegranate arils, and toasted sesame seeds into the dressed carrots. Toss well to evenly distribute all components throughout the salad.
- Season and serve: Taste the salad and, if desired, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. The white miso paste usually provides sufficient saltiness, but adding a little extra may help intensify the overall taste. Serve the salad fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Store: The assembled salad can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The carrot ribbons may soften slightly over time, but the flavors remain vibrant and fresh.
- Dressing storage: The citrus miso-ginger dressing can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 5 days. Shake or whisk well before using to re-emulsify and refresh the flavors.
