This Simple Carrot & Cucumber Salad Will Brighten Any Meal

Name: Carrot and Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1- English cucumber (2 cups sliced cucumber); 1 ½ cups Matchstick carrots; ¼ cup Green onions; ¼ cup Fresh parsley; 1 Tablespoon Sesame seeds; 1 Tablespoon Coconut aminos (or soy sauce); 1-2 Tablespoons Honey; 2 Tablespoons Rice vinegar; 2 teaspoons Sesame oil; 2 teaspoons Minced garlic; ⅛ teaspoon Minced ginger; ½-1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)

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Prep: 15

Total: 15

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My Carrot and Cucumber Salad is a fresh, crisp and vibrant side that mixes julienned or sliced carrots and cucumbers. It’s tossed in a bright dressing which makes it perfect for potlucks, BBQs or a refreshing pair to any meal.

In the heat of the summer I love to make refreshing salads for my family. These are two of their favorites: cucumber onion salad recipe and my cucumber and chickpea salad.

A glass bowl filled with a fresh Carrot and Cucumber Salad—sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, green onions, and herbs—garnished with cucumber slices and parsley on the side.

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Why this Cucumber Carrot Salad Recipe is a Keeper

This easy salad with cucumber and carrot is as delicious as it is simple to make. It’s made in 15 minutes, uses minimal ingredients and tools and is super easy to customize.

Incredibly Fresh and Healthy: It’s a light, vibrant, and nutrient-packed salad. It’s a perfect way to add more vegetables to your diet without sacrificing flavor.
Effortless and Quick: With a prep time of just 15 minutes, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights or last-minute meal additions. There’s no cooking required, making it simple and convenient.
Versatile Side Dish: It pairs beautifully with a wide range of main courses, from grilled chicken or fish to Asian-inspired dishes, sandwiches, or even a bowl of soup.
Balanced Flavor Profile: The dressing hits all the right notes: the umami and saltiness from the soy sauce/coconut aminos, the tangy kick from the rice vinegar, a touch of sweetness from the honey, and the nutty, aromatic notes from the sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
Naturally Accommodating: The recipe is naturally gluten-free (if using Tamari or coconut aminos) and can be easily made vegan by swapping honey for another sweetener like maple syrup.
Great for Meal Prep: The sturdy vegetables hold up well, making it a fantastic component for meal prepping lunches throughout the week.

Can I Use a Different Type of Regular Cucumber?

A glass bowl of the side with parsley, green onions, and sesame seeds. A wooden spoon lifts a portion of the fresh, vibrant salad above the bowl.

English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers are best for the recipe do to them having smaller seeds. However, you can make this salad with any type you have on hand.

Pro Tip for Delicious Salad

Uniform Cuts: Try to make sure your carrot and cucumber pieces are a similar size for an even texture and a beautiful presentation.

Ingredient Notes for Crunchy Cucumber Salad Side Dish

This carrot and cucumber salad recipe uses fresh, simple ingredients that pack a punch of flavor. This carrot salad is perfect for those fresh summer garden ingredients.

Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

The vegetables and ingredients to make the dressing.

Carrots: Matchstick carrots or carrot ribbons are the perfect size for this perfect side dish.
Cucumbers: The recipe calls for an English cucumber.
Coconut Aminos: Soy sauce or coconut aminos will bring the salty, umami flavor. Unlike soy sauce which is made from soy, coconut aminos is made from the coconut flower.

Variations and Substitutions for Carrot and Cucumber Salad

There’s a couple different swaps you can make to make this simple salad extra delicious.

Add More Vegetables: Add other vegetables like cabbage, bell peppers, edamame, sugar snap peas or red onion.
Protein: Try adding toasted cashews, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds. You could also add tofu or shredded chicken for a more substantial meal.
Spicier Kick: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a bit of sriracha or chili-garlic sauce.
Dressing: Feel free to make a white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar dressing, soy dressing, sesame dressing or a ginger dressing.
Nutty Flavor: Add a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter or almond butter to the dressing for a satay-style twist.
Citrus: A squeeze of lime juice can brighten up the flavors.
Sweetener: Maple syrup or agave nectar can be substituted for the honey.
Fresh Herbs: Fresh cilantro would be an excellent substitution or addition for a more classic Asian-style salad.

Special Equipment to Make Cucumber and Carrot Salad

You don’t need anything fancy, but this tool will make the job easier.

Vegetable Peeler or Mandolin: A mandolin is the fastest way to get uniform matchsticks, but a julienne peeler also works well. Pre-cut matchstick carrots save even more time. You can also use a mandolin to slice cucumbers.

How to Make Carrot and Cucumber Salad Recipe

This recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This Asian carrot cucumber salad is so good, I make it whenever I have extra veggies.

Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

Mixing the ingredients for the asian dressing.

Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, mix the coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic and ginger.
Assemble the Salad: Thinly slice the cucumber and green onion. Add the cucumber, green onion and carrots to a bowl. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss to mix and coat.
Garnish the Salad: Sprinkle the finely chopped parsley, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes on top.

Mixing all the vegetables with the dressing.

Meal Prep Ahead Ideas for Crunchy Cucumber Carrot Salad

I like to prepare ingredients ahead of time so that I don’t have to do all of the steps at once when I’m making dinner. This easy side salad is made with fresh ingredients.

Dressing: You can make the dressing up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Shake well before using.
Vegetables: You can slice the cucumber, make the matchstick carrots, and chop the green onions and parsley up to 2-3 days ahead of time. Store them in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Full Assembly (Day-Of): For the best, crispiest texture, it is best to toss the salad with the dressing just before serving or no more than an hour beforehand. If you toss it too far in advance, the vegetables will release water and the salad will become soggy.

How to Store and Use Leftover Carrot Cucumber Salad

Store: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The vegetables will lose some of their crispness over time, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Use Leftovers: Enjoy leftovers in a wrap or sandwich, in a bowl with rice, as spring roll filling or a taco topping. Enhance the flavor of the cucumber slices with salt and pepper.

Common Questions About This Flavorful Salad Recipe

Can I Adjust the Sweetness/Spiciness?

Absolutely! Adjust the flavor however you like. You can add red pepper flake, sriracha sauce for more spicy. Try adding more honey or maple syrup for more sweetness.

Can I Use Shredded Carrots?

Sure, if you’d prefer to have shredded carrots, go ahead. Make this summer salad your own.

A glass bowl of carrot and cucumber salad.

Expert Tips to Make This Salad Recipe

Fresh Ingredients are Key: Since this is a no-cook recipe, the flavor and texture are entirely dependent on the quality of your ingredients. Use fresh, firm carrots and a crisp cucumber.
Taste as you Go: Start with the smaller amount of honey or red pepper flakes in your delicious salad, then taste the dressing and adjust to your preference.
Let it Sit: While you don’t want it to get soggy, letting the salad sit for 15-30 minutes after tossing allows the flavors of the dressing to meld with the vegetables.
Don’t Overdo the Sesame Oil: Sesame oil has a very strong flavor. Start with the recommended amount and add more only if you want a stronger flavor, as too much can be overpowering.
Toasted White Sesame Seeds: Lightly toasting the sesame seeds in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the salad will release their fragrant oils and enhance their flavor significantly.
Serve With: For family picnics, i love salads. Here are more salad recipes to try like my Asian Inspired Coleslaw, Cold Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes or Easy Potato Salad.