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Cucumber Carrot Salad with Sesame, Garlic, and Lemon Dressing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 147 reviews

A refreshing and spicy Cucumber Carrot Salad featuring crunchy vegetables tossed with a zesty gochugaru and soy sauce dressing, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh parsley. Perfect as a light side or a healthy snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and julienned
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • ½ tsp sugar (or substitute with maple syrup or agave)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Thinly slice the cucumber and julienne the carrots into matchstick-sized pieces. Mince the garlic finely and chop the fresh parsley. Set aside.
  2. Toast Sesame Seeds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds until they turn golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, gochugaru, soy sauce, and sugar (or alternative sweetener) until well combined and the sugar dissolves.
  4. Toss Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cucumber, carrots, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Pour the dressing over and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top just before serving to maintain their crunch. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • For a milder spice, reduce the amount of gochugaru or omit it entirely.
  • Substitute sugar with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or agave to make it vegan-friendly.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce for a reduced salt version.
  • This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
  • Add chopped nuts or seeds for extra texture and nutrition if desired.

Keywords: Cucumber Carrot Salad, Korean salad, spicy salad, gochugaru recipe, healthy salad, sesame seeds, fresh parsley, easy side dish

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/cucumber-carrot-salad-with-sesame-garlic-and-lemon-dressing-recipe/