Korean Carrot Salad Kimchispiced Rainbow
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a vibrant and crunchy salad? I know I do! This Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy dream, packed with flavour and so easy to make, will become your next go-to side dish.
Seriously, you'll wonder where it's been all your life.
Brief Overview
This Korean salad isn't just some random mix of carrots. It's rooted in Korean culinary influences. This is easy peasy to whip up in about 20 minutes. It makes enough for 4-6 people.
Main Benefits
Honestly, carrots are good for your eyes, aren't they? This is an amazing way to get your veggies. Tasty Appetizers are always a great shout.
This Asian Carrot Slaw is a brilliant side.
Why You'll Love This Korean Carrot Concoction
It's a dead simple recipe. It is flavour town. This salad is quick, easy, and healthy. Plus, it's seriously addictive. You might find yourself making it every week.
What Makes This Spicy Carrot Side Dish Special?
This isn't just any old carrot salad recipes . It's the Gochujang Carrot Salad dressing that makes it special. The kimchi carrot salad brings the heat.
It is an explosion of sweet, savory, and spicy. Think of a proper Crunchy Korean Side Dish , and you're on the right track.
We're off to the ingredients. So, gather your carrots, and let's get started. You won't regret making it!
Ingredients & Equipment
Right, let's get down to brass tacks. You want to nail this Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy masterpiece, yeah? So, having the right bits and bobs is crucial.
Honestly, it's dead easy. You probably have half this stuff already.
Main Players: What You Need for This Korean Carrot Salad
- Carrots: You'll want 1 pound (450g) . Fresh ones, obvs! Look for firm carrots with a bright orange colour. Avoid any that are soft or bendy. We're going for crunch here, remember?
- Onion: ½ cup thinly sliced yellow onion. Anything will work.
- Garlic & Ginger: 2 teaspoons minced garlic and 1 tablespoon minced ginger. The fresher, the better. It boosts Tasty Appetizers , right?
- Scallions: 2 scallions, thinly sliced.
- Soy Sauce: 2 tablespoons (or tamari if you're avoiding gluten).
- Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons . Apple cider vinegar does the trick if you're in a pinch.
- Gochujang: 1 tablespoon . This is the star! Adjust to your spice tolerance. Start small, you can always add more. This is a Spicy Carrot Side Dish .
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon . Don't skimp on this. It adds a lovely nutty flavour.
- Honey: 1 tablespoon . Or maple syrup for a vegan Korean Salad .
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon .
- Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon. Optional, for extra oomph .
- Sesame Seeds: 1 tablespoon . Toasted, for garnish.
- Salt, to taste.
Seasoning Sorted: The Secret Sauce to A Crunchy Korean Side Dish
Right, the dressing is where the magic happens! Gochujang , sesame oil, and rice vinegar are your holy trinity. Don't be afraid to play around with the heat.
Add more red pepper flakes if you're feeling brave. A dash of grated ginger and crushed garlic will elevate it.
If you can’t find gochujang, try a mix of sriracha and a touch of miso paste not quite the same, but it works.
Kit List: Essential Tools
You don't need a fancy kitchen for this. Here's the bare minimum:
- Box grater or food processor . You'll need to shred those carrots! A vegetable peeler works too.
- Large mixing bowl . For tossing everything together.
- Small bowl . For mixing the dressing.
- Whisk .
- Measuring cups and spoons .
- Cutting board and knife .
Let's Get Started: Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy Delight
Alright, let's talk about this Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy game changer. Honestly, this isn’t just any salad. It's a flavour bomb and proper tasty appetizer all rolled into one! My first time making it? Let's just say I went a bit overboard with the Gochujang , and my mouth was on fire!
But trust me, once you get the balance right, you’ll be hooked.
Prep Steps: Mise en Place is Your Mate
First, the essential mise en place! It's french you know, like when Gordon Ramsay starts screaming at you about being organized.
Get those carrots ready. You need about 1 pound (450g) of carrots, peeled and shredded or julienned. I prefer shredded, but julienned gives a great crunchy Korean side dish .
Slice a small yellow onion thinly (½ cup). Mince 2 cloves of garlic and a 1 inch piece of ginger. Finally, slice 2 scallions.
For safety, keep your fingers out of the way when chopping!
step-by-step: Salad Assembly
- Prep the carrots by shredding them. Place them in a big bowl.
- Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, ginger, and scallions to the carrots.
- Whisk the dressing: 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon Gochujang , 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional).
- Pour the dressing over the carrots and other veggies. Toss well!
- Taste and add salt if needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes for better flavour.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Pro Tips: Ace This Kimchi Carrot Salad
Want to make it next level? Toast the sesame seeds! It makes a massive difference. Also, be careful with the Gochujang .
It's a spicy carrot side dish , so add it gradually. The best thing is, you can totally make this Asian carrot slaw ahead of time.
It actually tastes better the next day. Trust me, this Korean salad is the business! Now get to it!
Recipe Notes for the Ultimate Crunchy Korean Side Dish
Alright, so you're ready to dive into this Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy adventure? Fantastic! But before you get your aprons on, let’s talk through some of my hard earned wisdom.
Honestly, these little tips can make all the difference!
Serving Up Some Style: Plating and Presentation Ideas
Forget boring salads! Think vibrant and playful. I reckon a simple white bowl really makes those orange carrots pop. Sprinkle extra toasted sesame seeds on top for that extra oomph , or even a few more sliced scallions.
If you're feeling fancy, arrange the Korean Carrot artfully on a platter with other Tasty Appetizers . I sometimes like to serve this Asian Carrot Slaw alongside some Korean BBQ.
It’s brilliant.
Keepin' it Fresh: Storage Tips
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep in the fridge for a few days. The dressing mellows out over time, which some people actually prefer! Just keep it in an airtight container.
Reheating isn't really necessary, since it’s a salad. It’s best enjoyed cold. I wouldn't recommend freezing it, as the carrots will lose their lovely Crunchy Korean Side Dish texture.
Honestly, it's so yummy, it won't last long anyway!
Mix it Up: Variations on the Theme
Feeling adventurous? You can always tweak the recipe a little. For a vegan version, just use maple syrup instead of honey.
Easy peasy! And if you're watching your sodium intake, use low-sodium soy sauce (tamari) and go easy on the salt.
I have tried to make a Kimchi Carrot Salad , adding a bit of homemade kimchi that I had in my fridge, it was a great addition.
Seasonal swaps? Why not! In the summer, I sometimes add a handful of sugar snap peas for extra crunch.
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite
Let's be real, this salad is packed with goodness! Carrots are a great source of vitamin A, which is brilliant for your eyesight.
The sesame oil provides healthy fats, and the gochujang gives you a little metabolism kick. Okay, so I'm not a nutritionist, but it is a great Spicy Carrot Side Dish and has lots of good things! Plus, it is relatively low in calories.
Listen, have fun with it! Don’t stress too much about the measurements. Cooking should be enjoyable. I really hope this is a very Carrot Salad Recipes that you are making often.
Now go forth and create some kitchen magic with this Gochujang Carrot Salad ! You've got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy, and is it anything like proper kimchi?
Korean Carrot Salad, or Carrot Kimchi Salad, is a flavourful side dish where shredded carrots are tossed in a kimchi inspired dressing. Think of it as a lighter, quicker, and milder cousin to traditional kimchi.
While it shares the sweet, savoury, and spicy flavour profile, it's much faster to make than fermented kimchi and relies on fresh carrots for its crunch.
How spicy is this Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy supposed to be? I'm not exactly a fire breathing dragon!
The spiciness is totally up to you, mate! The recipe uses gochujang (Korean chili paste) and optional red pepper flakes (gochugaru). If you're spice averse, start with just a half tablespoon of gochujang and skip the red pepper flakes altogether.
You can always add more to taste until you reach your preferred heat level, a little bit at a time.
Can I make this Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy ahead of time, and how long will it last in the fridge?
Absolutely! In fact, this salad tastes even better if it sits for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just be aware that the carrots might soften slightly over time, but the flavour will still be top-notch.
I'm veggie/vegan. Can I still make this Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy?
You bet! Just make a couple of simple swaps. Use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing. Also, double check that your gochujang doesn't contain any hidden fish sauce (some brands do) or shrimp. Tamari is a good gluten-free swap for soy sauce, if needed.
I don't have all the ingredients. Are there any substitutions I can make in my Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy?
Of course! If you don't have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar works just fine. Brown sugar or agave syrup could be used instead of honey. If you can't find gochujang, you could use a pinch of cayenne pepper mixed with a little tomato paste, but the flavour won't be quite the same.
Get creative and use what you have on hand!
What should I serve this Korean Carrot Salad: A Crunchy with?
This salad is incredibly versatile! It's a brilliant side for any BBQ, especially alongside grilled meats like bulgogi or Korean BBQ ribs. You can also add a scoop to rice bowls, use it as a topping for tacos, or include it as part of a traditional Korean banchan spread.
It would pair very nicely with any beer (like Hite or Cass) or a glass of crisp white wine.
Korean Carrot Salad Kimchispiced Rainbow

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 120 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6g |
| Fiber | 15g |