🥕 The Viral Shaved Carrot Salad Everyone’s Obsessed With — Here’s My Take

You’ve probably seen this salad blowing up on TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest — the colorful ribbons of carrots, that glossy sesame-ginger dressing, and the crunchy chili topping had me intrigued. At first, I wasn’t sure how excited I could get about a carrot salad, but I kept seeing it everywhere. So, as a chef and a total foodie, I had to try it out for myself… and let me tell you — I get the hype now.

This shaved carrot salad is fresh, tangy, a little sweet, and loaded with flavor. It’s light but super satisfying thanks to the sesame oil and punchy aromatics like ginger, garlic, and red onion. The textures are what make it magical — the soft carrot ribbons soak up the dressing beautifully, and the toasted sesame seeds give it just the right crunch. And if you add the chili onion crunch on top? It goes from delicious to addictive.

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🌟 Why I Love This Salad

• It’s easy and fast — no cooking required, just a bit of peeling and mixing.

• It keeps well — perfect for meal prep or prepping ahead for dinner parties.

• It’s versatile — you can serve it on its own, over greens, or even as a topping for grain bowls or grilled proteins.

• It feels special — even though it’s made with humble ingredients, it looks and tastes like something you’d get at a trendy restaurant.

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🧡 Inspired by a Viral Hit — But Made with Love

I followed the general concept of the viral version but gave it my own little twist, like using rainbow carrots for extra color and brightness, and a touch of fresh lemon juice to lift the flavors even more. I also love giving people options, so the dressing includes a touch of honey if you like a little sweetness, or you can skip it if you want to keep it super clean.

As someone who makes food all day, every day, it's rare that a salad like this stops me in my tracks — but this one honestly surprised me. My family loved it, I ended up eating the leftovers straight out of the bowl the next day, and now it’s officially going on my repeat-worthy list.

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🥗 Who Should Try This?

If you’re into plant-based meals, love bold dressings, or want something refreshing for the summer, this salad is for you. It’s also a beautiful dish to bring to potlucks or BBQs — everyone will ask for the recipe.

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So if you’ve been scrolling past this one and wondering if it’s worth the hype… it totally is. And now you’ve got a tested version that balances flavor, texture, and nutrition — made with a whole lot of heart.

Let me know if you try it! Tag me on Instagram @thesweetspotdoneright — I’d love to see your creations. 💛