Cucumber Carrot Salad with Gochugaru and Sesame Recipe
A refreshing and spicy cucumber carrot salad featuring crisp julienned vegetables tossed in a zesty Korean-inspired dressing with gochugaru, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh parsley. This quick and healthy salad is perfect as a light side dish or a vibrant addition to any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 large cucumber
- 2 large carrots
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 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 maple syrup/agave as substitute)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Wash and dry the cucumber and carrots thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or julienne peeler, cut both vegetables into thin strips. Place the julienned cucumbers and carrots into a large mixing bowl.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, gochugaru, soy sauce, and sugar until fully combined and smooth.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the julienned vegetables. Add the minced garlic and chopped parsley to the bowl. Toss everything well to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the salad and gently toss one last time. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh crisp texture, or let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld for a more intense taste.
Notes
- You can substitute the sugar in the dressing with maple syrup or agave for a natural sweetener alternative.
- Using a julienne peeler speeds up the cutting process significantly.
- Letting the salad sit for 10-15 minutes enhances the flavor melding but may reduce crispness.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of gochugaru as desired.
Keywords: cucumber carrot salad, Korean salad, gochugaru salad, healthy salad, vegan salad, sesame seed salad, quick salad, fresh vegetable salad
