Raw carrots just got a major glow-up. Thanks to the viral TikTok trend, this vibrant carrot ribbon salad is turning a simple everyday vegetable into a stunning, flavor-packed dish. It's light, fresh and full of texture - perfect for summer and surprisingly satisfying.
It’s honestly so exciting to see carrots trending. Not long ago, beans were having their moment on TikTok too (which inspired this reader-favorite dense bean salad!). It gives me so much hope that more and more people are getting curious about whole foods and plant-forward meals - not just as healthy options, but as meals that are beautiful, fun and craveable.
The credit for the colorful carrot ribbon salad trend goes to Cassie Yeung, who shared her version featuring green onions, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar and a spicy chili crisp. Since then, it's taken off with all kinds of creative variations. But the one thing they all have in common? Raw carrots shaved into delicate noodle-like ribbons.
I'll be honest - raw carrots have never been the most exciting veggie in my fridge. I usually dip them in hummus, and that's about it. But transforming them into thin ribbons changes everything! It makes them feel lighter, more elegant and a whole lot more enjoyable to eat. Plus, peeling the ribbons is oddly therapeutic, and faster than you might think!
This salad is my take on the viral trend. Instead of a soy sauce base, I use a combo similar to my 5-minute sesame cucumber salad. I add toasted sesame oil and a drizzle of tahini which adds a rich creaminess along with nutrients like calcium, iron and healthy fats. The tahini is what really sets this version apart! A drizzle of date syrup then adds a bit of sweetness and complements the tahini perfectly. I'm forever addicted to the tahini/date syrup combo!
Do Carrots Really Help with Hormones and Skin?
You might’ve heard on TikTok that raw carrots are great for hormones and that balanced hormones mean glowing skin. While there’s some truth to that, it’s a pretty broad (and somewhat misleading) claim.
Raw carrots do contain insoluble fiber (which helps move waste through your digestive system) and a healthy gut is important for processing hormones properly. But it’s not just carrots. Lots of veggies offer this benefit. So while carrots aren’t a magic fix, they can be part of a hormone- and skin-friendly routine when eaten regularly as part of a balanced, plant-rich diet.
Carrots are also rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, a nutrient essential for skin health. Vitamin A (in its active form, retinoic acid) helps with skin cell turnover, healing and protection from UV damage. Research shows it plays a role in regulating both skin and pigment cells, which can impact things like skin tone and texture. While eating carrots won’t work like applying a retinol cream, regularly including them in a plant-rich diet can gently support healthy, glowing skin over time.
Why You'll Love this Salad
- No-cook, zero-waste and nutrient packed
- A beautiful and fun new way to enjoy raw carrots
- Light, crunchy and totally customizable
- Great for meal prep or a last-minute dinner side
Ingredients
How to Make this Carrot Ribbon Salad
1. Peel the carrots and slice the onion. Use a vegetable peeler for the carrots to peel them into long ribbon strands. For thick ribbons don't rotate the carrot as you peel it. For the onion, I highly recommend using a mandoline for quick and easy thin slices, but you can certainly use a knife as well. I set the mandoline to level 1.
2. Toss everything together in a small mixing bowl.
3. Enjoy immediately (or store for later - it stays nice and crisp overnight!).
Recipe Tips
Make it your own. You can keep this salad simple with a quick mix of lemon juice, olive oil, salt and garlic. Or, you can add to the recipe by bulking it up with quinoa, nuts, seeds or even chickpeas for more plant-based protein.
The longer it marinates, the more tender the carrots become. If you prefer extra crunch, enjoy it right after assembling. That said, it still holds up beautifully overnight and keeps its crisp texture. For meal prep, feel free to store it dressed or keep the dressing on the side if you want to control the level of tenderness.
Ribbons are a simple trick to make raw veggies feel more fun and special. I still make this asparagus ribbon salad each year when asparagus is in season, and I have a feeling this carrot ribbon salad is going to become a regular addition as well!
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The Must-Try Carrot Ribbon Salad (Viral TikTok Recipe)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Raw carrots just got a major glow-up. Thanks to the viral TikTok trend, this vibrant carrot ribbon salad is turning a simple everyday vegetable into a stunning, flavor-packed dish. It's light, fresh and full of texture - perfect for summer and surprisingly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 2 large carrots, peeled
- ½ small red onion, sliced (or 2 green onions, diced)
- 3 tablespoons toasted white sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon good quality olive oil
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil (or more to taste)
- ½ small lime, juiced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- optional: 1 large clove garlic, grated on a zester/zester plane
- drizzle of tahini
- drizzle of pure date syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Peel the carrots and slice the onion. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the carrots into long ribbon strands. I highly recommend using a mandoline (level 1) to thinly slice the onion, but if not use a sharp knife to cut them into even slices.
- Toss all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Taste and adjust flavors as desired. I prefer a heavy drizzle of the tahini and date syrup.
- Serve immediately while cold.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Side
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