Description
This vibrant Carrot Salad with Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing combines the sweetness of fresh carrots with a tangy, umami-packed dressing featuring orange juice, white miso, ginger, and garlic. Tossed with fresh herbs, pomegranate arils, and toasted sesame seeds, this refreshing salad is perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack, ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
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
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 the olive oil, fresh orange juice, white miso paste, rice vinegar, grated fresh ginger, grated or minced garlic, and honey. Whisk well until the ingredients are thoroughly blended and the dressing is smooth. Set the dressing aside.
- Shave carrots: Peel the carrots, discarding the rough outer skin. Hold each carrot firmly and use a vegetable peeler to shave long ribbons down the length of the carrot, rotating it as you go to keep shaving all around until you reach the narrow core. You should get about 12 ounces of shaved carrots. Reserve any remaining carrot for another use.
- Toss carrots with dressing: Add the shaved carrots to the bowl containing the dressing. Toss them together thoroughly to ensure the carrot ribbons are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Add herbs and toppings: Incorporate the chopped cilantro, chopped fresh mint leaves, pomegranate arils, and toasted sesame seeds into the bowl with the dressed carrots. Toss everything well to combine the flavors and textures evenly.
- Season and serve: Taste the salad and add a pinch of salt only if desired, as the miso paste already provides a subtle saltiness. Serve the salad fresh to enjoy its crisp texture and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Use a vegetable peeler to create delicate carrot ribbons rather than shredding the carrots for a different texture.
- Leftover carrot cores can be saved for soups, stocks, or eaten as snacks.
- The white miso paste provides both saltiness and umami, so additional salt may not be necessary.
- To toast sesame seeds, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until golden and fragrant.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to a day with slight loss of crispness.
