Description

This refreshing and easy Cucumber Carrot Salad offers a crisp, vibrant combination of fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty, slightly spicy dressing. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack, it features cucumbers and carrots enhanced with garlic, parsley, and a flavorful Korean twist from gochugaru chili flakes. The salad is garnished with toasted sesame seeds for a subtle nutty crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

1 large cucumber
2 large carrots
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
1 tsp soy sauce
½ tsp sugar

Garnish

1 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

Prepare Vegetables: Wash the cucumber and carrots thoroughly. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds. Peel the carrots and julienne or finely shred them to achieve a delicate texture ideal for this salad.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, gochugaru chili flakes, soy sauce, and sugar until well combined, creating a balanced, tangy, and mildly spicy dressing.
Combine Ingredients: Place the sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, and chopped fresh parsley into a large mixing bowl, preparing them to be dressed uniformly.
Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with sesame seeds to add a nutty crunch and enhance both texture and appearance.

Notes

For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the sesame seeds before garnishing.
Adjust gochugaru quantity to your preferred spice level.
This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
To keep cucumbers crisp, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and drain excess water before mixing with dressing.
For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Korean-inspired

Keywords: Cucumber Carrot Salad, Korean salad, gochugaru salad, fresh vegetable salad, easy salad recipe, healthy side dish, no-cook salad