Viral Carrot Ribbon Salad

If you want to eat your skincare, then you are going to love this Viral Carrot Ribbon Salad. This bright and vibrant salad is made from peeled carrots that are tossed in a delicious dressing and is garnished with fresh herbs and sesame seeds. The result? A salad that is loaded with beta carotene (aka edible retinol) for the perfect snack or side dish to enjoy any time of day!

Friends, the first time I heard someone refer to this Viral Carrot Ribbon salad as, “edible skincare,” I was hooked. If you’ve been to my blog before then you may know that I absolutely LOVE a good skincare routine (in fact, I’m obsessed with mine) and, I absolutely love food. So, the combination of the two of these immediately piqued my interested. After all, I love food that not only tasted delicious, but leaves you also feeling delicious from the inside out. This Viral Carrot Ribbon Salad does just that, and is perfect for prepping in a pinch.

It starts with a base of peeled carrots, although you could also use shredded carrots if you want (just note that it won’t be a “ribbon” salad, per say — but still totally delicious!) The carrots are then tossed in a delicious soy-based dressing that is a little salty, a little sweet, a little tangy, and totally delicious. It’s then finished off with a handful of fresh herbs and sesame seeds, and the end result is truly magic.

Now, you may be wondering why this Viral Carrot Ribbon Salad is referred to as “edible skincare,” since on the surface, it just looks like a traditional carrot salad. Carrots, if you didn’t know, happen to be full of beta carotene, which is also knows as “nature’s retinol.” Beta carotene is loaded with antioxidants which are essential for maintaining healthy, glowing skin from the inside out. In fact, people have reported having clearer skin after regularly eating this salad! Now, don’t take my word for it — I am not a dermatologist, so I can’t speak fully to the life-changing skin benefits. However, what I can say is that this salad is absolutely delicious. And if it happens to help my skin? Even better!

What You Need to Make This Viral Carrot Salad

• Carrots: Of course, this wouldn’t be a carrot ribbon salad without the carrots! Carrots are rich in beta carotene, aka “nature’s retinol,” making them the perfect food to feed your skin with all of the delicious antioxidants it needs to stay healthy!
• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil adds a delicious, toasted flavor to this dressing that truly takes it to the next level. I highly recommend NOT substituting it, here — it adds a flavor that no other oil can truly replicate!
• Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a delicious tang to the dressing that pairs perfectly with the slight sweetness of the carrots!
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Tamari: If you want to keep this recipe gluten-free, opt to use tamari, as it doesn’t contain gluten. However, if you don’t care, you can also opt to use low sodium soy sauce. Both of them work just as well and taste absolutely delicious in this recipe!
• Honey: A little honey adds just the right amount of sweetness to this carrot salad recipe to bring it all together.
• Lime Juice: The juice of one, whole, fresh lime brings the dressing together. You can use bottled lime juice, but I always love opting for fresh-squeezed, whenever possible!
• Chopped Parsley or Cilantro: The addition of fresh herbs not only adds a brightness to this salad, but packs it with additional color and flavor. You can opt to use either one or the other, but I like to use both parsley and cilantro! However, if you don’t like cilantro (which I know that many people don’t!) just use the parsley.
• Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds may be small, but they’re perfectly crunchy and add a delicious finishing touch to this salad recipe!

How to Make This Simple & Easy Skin-Healing Salad

To make this salad, start by preparing the carrots. Use a peeler to peel the carrots into ribbons and add them to a bowl. Set them aside.

Next, add the sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, honey, and lime juice to a small bowl. Whisk them to combine. Pour the dressing over the peeled carrots and toss until the carrots are fully coated in the dressing. Then, chop the parsley and cilantro and add them on top of the carrot salad, alongside the sesame seeds.

Once the salad is done, serve it immediately and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim