Carrot and Cucumber Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing
This Cucumber Carrot Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing is a fresh twist on the viral TikTok trend. It combines crisp cucumber slices with carrot ribbons and an Asian-inspired, delicious sesame dressing, which is then topped with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
This Cucumber Carrot Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing offers a fresh twist on the viral trend, combining crisp cucumber slices with carrot ribbons and a creamy, savory sesame dressing. The crunchy carrots and cucumbers are tossed in a delicious sesame salad dressing and then topped with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
This simple salad with Asian flavors is the perfect side dish with fresh ingredients to enjoy the cucumber craze while adding a bit of extra flair and nutrition to your plate.
Who is the TikTok Cucumber Guy?
Logan Moffitt, also known as @logagm on TikTok, is a Canadian content creator with a passion for cucumbers and kimchi. Many of his videos feature him preparing kimchi or enjoying Korean cuisine, particularly cold Korean noodles. Even before his cucumber salad videos went viral, he had a growing following, collaborating with K-POP bands and other popular TikTok creators. However, his fame skyrocketed with his cucumber creations, with each video racking up millions—even tens of millions—of views. It seems people can’t get enough of his unique cucumber salads! My carrot cucumber salad is a fresh spin on this delicious trend!
Why You’ll Love This Asian-inspired Cucumber Salad Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- It is full of delicious flavor!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best carrot cucumber salad recipe:
English Cucumber: Replace with an Asian cucumber, Persian cucumber, regular cucumbers, or thinly sliced zucchini for a slightly different texture. You can also use baby cucumber for a fun shape.
Carrots: You can use any variety of carrots you like, including baby carrots. Use daikon radish, bell peppers, or jicama for a crunchy alternative.
Green Onions: Substitute with finely chopped chives, red onions, or shallots.
Creamy Sesame Dressing
Toasted Sesame Seeds: Use tahini (sesame seed paste) for a creamier texture. Start with 2 tablespoons and adjust to taste.
Mayonnaise: Swap with Greek yogurt or a vegan mayo for a dairy-free option.
Rice Vinegar: Replace with apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar. Use lemon or lime juice for a citrusy twist.
Honey: Substitute with maple syrup, agave nectar, or a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or stevia.
Soy Sauce: Use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative.
Sesame Oil: Olive oil or avocado oil can be used, but the dressing will lose some of its nutty sesame flavor. Toasted sesame oil is my favorite for the best flavor.
Garlic Powder: Use fresh minced garlic (1-2 cloves) for a more robust flavor.
Ginger: Freshly grated ginger can replace ground ginger (1/2 teaspoon ground ginger = 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger).
How to Make My Crunchy Cucumber Carrot Salad Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy carrot cucumber salad and sesame salad dressing. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Slice the cucumber and shred the carrots into long ribbons. Combine them in a large bowl.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
Grind 3 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds in the chopper cup of an immersion blender or food processor. You can also smash them in a bowl and mortar or spread them in a plastic bag, lay it flat on the counter, and roll it with a rolling pin.
In a small bowl, or the chopper cup with an immersion blender or food processor, add 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a dash pepper and mix until well blended.
Step 3: Toss the Salad
Pour 3-4 tablespoons of dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the salad with sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy immediately, or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Roasting Sesame Seeds: You can use plain sesame seeds and dry roast them in a frying pan over medium heat until lightly brown. Do not add any butter or oil. Roasting the seeds first will give them the best flavor.
Carrot Shapes: You can thinly slice the carrots into medallions with a mandoline slicer or thin matchstick carrots or shred them with a cheese grater instead of peeling ribbons. The thinner they’re sliced, the more they will absorb the flavor in the dressing.
Make Ahead: This salad is perfect for meal prep! The vegetables can be sliced and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the dressing separately and toss just before serving to keep the salad crisp.
Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dressing, reduce the honey or substitute with a mild sweetener like maple syrup or a low-glycemic option such as monk fruit.
Delicious Viral Cucumber Salad Serving Suggestions
- Turn it Into a Main Course:Â Add a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu on a bed of leafy greens to make this salad a satisfying main dish.
- Add a Nutty Twist:Â Drizzle a bit of melted peanut butter over the salad for a creamy, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the sesame dressing.
- Enhance Freshness:Â Garnish with fresh mint or fresh cilantro to add a burst of color and refreshing flavor that complements the cucumbers and carrots.
- Serve with Raw Veggies:Â Pair the salad with an assortment of raw veggies like bell peppers, radishes, or snap peas for additional crunchy textures.
- Flavor Boost:Â Mince some fresh garlic into the dressing for an extra layer of bold, aromatic flavor.
Do you love Asian-inspired flavors? Check out more of my easy and nutritious Asian flavored recipes:
Cucumber Carrot Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 english cucumber
- 3 carrots
- 3 stalks green onions
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Sesame Dressing
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- dash pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber and shred the carrots into long ribbons. Combine them in a large bowl.
- Grind 3 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds in the chopper cup of an immersion blender or food processor. You can also smash them in a bowl and mortar or spread them in a plastic bag, lay it flat on the counter, and roll it with a rolling pin.
- In a small bowl, or the chopper cup with an immersion blender or food processor, add 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a dash pepper and mix until well blended.
- Pour 3-4 tablespoons of dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the salad with sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy immediately, or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Video
I loved the taste and texture of the vegetables!
Thank you for the review, Stewart! I’m so glad you like this recipe 🙂
This tastes AMAZING
I love this version! Thx!
Thank you for the review, Simone! 🙂
I’m excited to share my delicious and healthy twist on the viral cucumber salad with Asian-inspired flavors.