Brazil Nut Free Carrot Ribbon Salad with Basil-Herb Dressing
Bright, fresh, and genuinely stunning on a plate, this carrot ribbon salad is the kind of dish that makes people ask what you did differently. Long, translucent carrot ribbons replace the usual chopped or grated approach, giving the whole thing an elegant, almost silky texture once the dressing has a few minutes to work its magic. The basil-herb dressing is built from olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and a warm undercurrent of turmeric and ginger — simple pantry staples that come together into something that tastes far more complex than the ingredient list suggests. Plenty of packaged salads and dressings sneak in mixed-nut blends or tropical nut oils, so making this one from scratch means you stay in full control of every component. The fresh basil and parsley keep things herbaceous and vibrant, while the optional toasted coconut flakes add a subtle crunch and a hint of sweetness without any nut involvement. A short rest at room temperature is the only patience required — it lets the ribbons soften just enough to soak up all that citrusy, spiced dressing. Serve it as a light starter, a colorful side, or a centerpiece salad that genuinely earns its spot on the table.
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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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