Artificial Flavors Free Carrot Ribbon Salad with Basil-Herb Dressing
Bright, fresh, and genuinely beautiful on the plate, this carrot ribbon salad is the kind of dish that makes people stop and ask what's in it. Long, translucent carrot ribbons are tossed with handfuls of fresh basil and parsley, then coated in a lemon-forward dressing built from extra-virgin olive oil, grated garlic, turmeric, and ginger — every single ingredient exactly what it says it is. That matters more than it sounds, because bottled dressings and pre-seasoned salad kits are notorious for sneaking in synthetic flavor compounds that have no business being in a simple vegetable dish. Here, the flavor comes entirely from real citrus zest, whole spices, and fresh herbs, so there's nothing to second-guess on the label. A short rest lets the ribbons soften just enough to soak up the dressing without going limp, and the optional toasted coconut flakes add a subtle crunch that feels almost luxurious. It's light enough to serve alongside almost anything but interesting enough to hold its own as a standalone lunch.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 lb large carrots (about 4–5 medium), peeled
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
For the dressing
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp toasted coconut flakes (optional)
- fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Using a vegetable peeler, draw it firmly along the length of each peeled carrot to shave off long, wide ribbons, rotating the carrot a quarter-turn after every few passes. Continue until you reach the thin core, then set the core aside or discard. Place the ribbons in a large mixing bowl.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, turmeric, ginger, and salt until the dressing is uniform and slightly emulsified.
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