This tadka carrot salad is a simple and delicious slaw with season's best carrots and Meyer lemons. This healthy, vegan salad is a crowd pleaser and can be made in minutes! This is a very tasty side for Spring or a anytime healthy snack!
About this tadka carrot salad
This tadka carrot salad is like your slaw devoid of any creamy and fatty dressings. Simple! Yet with bold flavors!
This is our family's favorite salad. It is an easy one to make. This is my favorite from my childhood and my mom used to make this slaw often. My mom used to prepare this in this way and I have been following the same for years! Mom's recipes are always a keeper. In addition, every bite gives you nostalgic trips down the memory lane.
This salad doesn't take too long if you make it in smaller quantities or when you use a food processor for shredding the carrots. Shred the carrots, add the salt, lemon juice, chopped chilies, and add the tempering. Although it is simple, it is rich in flavors. The asafetida in the tempering along with the mustard seeds adda new flavor dimension in this salad, just like in the Mixed Dal Sprouts Salad
Thin or thick shredded carrots can be used, it is just based on your preference. Just make this salad with spiralized carrots for a wow factor! Kids love the spiralized version of this salad. I often make this salad with thin shredded carrots, just like the way my mom made it!
Wondering what to have for that snack craving'o clock? This salad is your answer as it boasts nourishment, flavor, and easiness in making it.
Customize it with different types of carrots, spice level, and add any herb as you like it.
Obviously, this vegan salad is a great option to make for any day or for any occasion.
Ingredients
To make this tadka carrot salad, you will need the following ingredients:
Carrots - star of the recipe adding nutrient and vibrant color.
Salt - gives flavor
Lemon juice - balances the sweet carrot with the zing flavors.
Thai green chili - gives the heat to this salad. Adjust the quantity of Thai chilies or any other chilies you use, according to your taste requirements.
For tadka or tempering - oil, mustard seeds, asafetida, and curry leaves
I received samples that I used in creating recipes and the opinions expressed are my own. Melissa's carrots and Meyer lemons were of amazing taste and I love the Meyer lemons in my mom's recipe. If you are wondering what is Meyer lemon, then it is a hybrid variety of lemon and it has smoother and thin skin, and are less acidic when compared to regular lemon. But they are packed with flavors to boost any dish sweet or savory. If you can't find Meyer lemon, use the lemon you have.
Serving Suggestions
This fresh tadka carrot salad with zing from Meyer lemons and Thai chilies along with fresh juicy carrots is a crowd pleaser.
Serve this as a side for your Spring entertaining. Or as a snack or everyday side dish. I love to serve this with roti/rice-curry provoding afresh flavor dimension to the meal.
Storage
Leftovers, if any, I store in the refrigerator for a couple of days and you can serve it chill or at room temperature.
While you can prep this ahead of time and I recommend you to hold on to the salt! As soon as you add salt, the carrots release juices. That would be fine, if you love the salad that way (I love this salad in both ways, as the carrots soaked in lemon and salt will give a different flavor boost). Add the salt and mix just before serving, for the fresh flavors giving a different profile.
More Carrot recipes
Carrots are not just for curries or pulao. They are great in salads like this salad where carrots are the star! Carrot Halwa is a traditional and addicitve dessert and it is hard to say a no to it! Try to make this Carrot Fries for a healthier spin on instead of potato based fries. Did you know carrot tops or leaves are edible and are rich in potassium? Carrot and Ginger Soup topped with Carrot Tops Pesto is a comforting bowl utilizing the entire fresh veggie. In addition, I have more ideas below:
Oatmeal Carrot Halwa Icecream Sandwiches
Vegan Carrot Almond Rice Kheer
Vegan Whole Wheat Carrot Banana Bread
More Salad Recipes
Grilled Nectarine and Feta Salad,
Mango Black Bean Quinoa Chipotle Salad,
Rainbow Salad with Tandoori Dressing
"Sun"sational Sunshine Platter
More Ideas for Spring Entertaining
Eggless Blood Orange Mini Bundts with Pink Glaze
Coconut Lime Ginger Banana Bread
Easy Carrot Recipes
- Carrot Cake Blondies from Creative Cynchronicity
- Creamy Ginger Carrot Soup from That Recipe
- Discard Carrot Cake Sweet Rolls from Jen Around the World
- Spicy Pork and Carrot Peanut Noodles from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Thai Shrimp Soup from Art of Natural Living
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Tadka Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Carrots shredded
- ⅓ tsp Salt
- 1¼ tbsp Lemon juice
- 1-2 Green Thai chili finely chopped
For Tadka/Tempering
- 1 tsp Oil
- ½ tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 Dried red chili torn
- ⅛ tsp Asafetida
- 1 sprig Curry leaf optional
Instructions
- Add the shredded carrots to a bowl, add the lemon juice, salt, and chopped green chilis.
- Heat oil over medium flame in a pan. Add the torn red chili and mustard. When mustard seeds splutter add the asafetida and curry leaf (not added here). Fry for 20 seconds.
- Pour the tempering on the carrot mixture.
- Mix and serve as a side or a healthy snack
Sujata Roy says
Carrot slaw looks amazing. With lemon and chilli taste must be lipsmackingly delicious. I will try it with normal lemon. I would love to have it bowlful on its own.
Priya Vj says
I make this carrot slaw very often at home for our lunch . It is very refreshing and tasty. Loved your plating and clicks
preethi'scuisine says
Carrot slaw looks so tempting. A regular affair at my place to . Beautifully presented Radha .
Priya Iyer says
Such a simple recipe, but so refreshing and delicious! I love this slaw too, especially with rasam rice. 🙂
Deb in Hawaii says
I love a good carrot slaw. A Souper Sundays roundup is finally posted--sorry for being so late and flaky!
Inger says
I love a good carrot salad--so healthy and tasty!
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, it is simple and tasty. Thanks Inger!
Christie says
It's almost like a quick pickled carrot salad. I've got to get me some asafetida. So many recipes I want to make call for it. That and curry leaves.