Home > Salad > Carrot Salad with Coriander

Carrot Salad with Coriander

A white plate with carrot salad with coriander

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This Carrot Salad with Coriander is a staple at church potlucks. It’s a simple salad with one main ingredient: carrot. This salad is often made with loads of garlic, which is overpowering, but not this recipe!

This is Mom’s recipe and my husband really prefers this version. This is also referred to as Korean salad. The fragrant coriander is the “secret” ingredient.

Ingredients for Mom’s Carrot Salad:

4 medium/large carrots, cut into fine match sticks or with grader for Korean salad
1 Tbsp white vinegar (5%)
1 garlic clove, pressed (add more if you like)
1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp oil (olive or canola)
1 medium onion, finely diced

Russian Carrot Salad

How to Make Carrot Salad:

1. Julianne carrots and dice onions. I used this thin Julianne slicer which worked great.

Carrot Salad with Coriander

2. Mix together carrots, vinegar, garlic, coriander, salt and sugar.

Russian Carrot Salad-4

3. Heat oil in the medium skillet over medium/high heat than  saute onion until soft and golden (about 5-6 minutes). Add pepper and stir the onions and pepper quickly. Immediately after stirring, add the onion to the carrots.

Carrot Salad with Coriander-1

4. Mix everything well and let salad sit for at least 1 hour before serving. Add more salt & sugar (in equal parts), to taste. If it’s too flavorful after 1 hour, add more carrot.

Russian Carrot Salad-7

Serve as a side dish. Enjoy 🙂

Russian Carrot Salad-8

Russian Carrot Salad with Coriander

4.92 from 12 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 4 -6 as a side salad

Instructions

  • Mix together 4 grated carrots, 1 Tbsp of vinegar, 1 garlic clove, 1 tsp of coriander seeds, 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of sugar.
  • Heat some oil in the medium skillet over medium/high heat than saute 1 diced onion until soft and golden (about 5-6 minutes).
  • Add 1/4 tsp of ground pepper and stir the onions and pepper quickly. Immediately after stirring, add the them to the carrots.
  • Mix well and let salad sit for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

To crush the coriander, use a mortar and pestle or put them in a ziploc bag and crush them with a mallet or rolling pin. Add more salt & sugar (in equal parts), to taste. If it's too flavorful after 1 hour, add more carrot.

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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Read comments/reviewsAdd comment/review

  • Elena K
    November 21, 2021

    How many days in advance can you make this? And can I use ground Coriander instead of crushing it?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 21, 2021

      Hi Elena, I asked my mom and she said it would be fine the day before and may even taste better to do it ahead and refrigerate it. I think it will be fine to use ground too.

      Reply

  • Tammy
    September 26, 2021

    When we were in Ukraine, my husband kept eating some kind of shredded carrots with sugar and sour cream(?). He loved it. Is this something you are familiar with? We were told it was a side dish or dessert. I don’t eat carrots, so I don’t remember what it was. Any ideas?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 26, 2021

      Hello Tammy, it is hard to tell with little info. I hope you find that recipe that you’re looking for!

      Reply

  • Patricia
    January 28, 2020

    Thank you for replying. May do some experimentation on my own. Thank you
    Patricia

    Reply

  • Patricia
    January 26, 2020

    Can Korean carrots be canned for later time, and if so what needs to change in recipe. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 27, 2020

      Hi Patricia, We’ve never tried canning this for winter so I’m not sure if it would work. I don’t think there is enough acidity or salt or liquid in this recipe to really preserve the carrots even with a boiling water bath.

      Reply

  • Daria McMorran
    September 6, 2018

    Can you tell how long I can keep this carrot salad in the fridge?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 6, 2018

      Hi Daria, I think it is best eaten within a few days of making it. It holds up fairly well, covered in the fridge.

      Reply

  • Natalia
    January 5, 2018

    Can I use apple vinegar instead of regular vinegar?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 5, 2018

      Hi Natalia, I haven’t tested that so not sure how that would work. Let me know how it goes.

      Reply

  • Dina
    October 6, 2017

    This Korean carrot salad is really really good, I’m so glad I found this recipe! This is exactly how i wanted it to come out!!! Thank you!!!! 😊

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 6, 2017

      You’re welcome Dina! I’m glad to hear you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review!

      Reply

  • Diana
    November 7, 2016

    Just made some right now..perfect! Thank you!!!..I really like your taste..everything I’ve tried on here has come out delishishly amazing!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 7, 2016

      You are very welcome Diana 😁. Thanks yet again for another great review!

      Reply

  • Ludmila
    September 24, 2016

    Hi Natasha, just wondering….have you canned this for winter? We have a ton of carrots left over from our garden, and the family LOVES them this way, but theres way to much, do you think maybe if I sterilize the cans they will last? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 24, 2016

      Hi, We’ve never tried canning this for winter so I’m not sure if it would work. I don’t think there is enough acidity or salt or liquid in this recipe to really preserve the carrots even with a boiling water bath.

      Reply

  • HOLLY
    September 8, 2016

    Hi Natasha, I’ve just discovered your blog and love to look at the photos. I’m going to try this carrot salad recipe. What kind of vinegar do you use?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 8, 2016

      Holly, welcome to the site 😀. I use regular 5% vinegar. Let me know how it turns out.

      Reply

  • Yelena
    July 16, 2016

    Yum!! Turns out perfect!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 16, 2016

      Thank you Yelena 😀.

      Reply

  • Vita
    February 3, 2016

    Hi Natasha, I was wondering how many servings are in this salad? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 3, 2016

      Hi Vita, it serves 4-6 as a side salad.

      Reply

  • Dr Khalil Ahmed
    June 22, 2015

    I love Russian food.

    Reply

  • Nadia
    April 13, 2015

    Wow finally I can say that I officially can make this favorite salad of mine. I always enjoyed eating it but for some reason was afraid making it. Silly. Thank you Natasha, you are the best!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 13, 2015

      I’m so happy you tried it and loved it. Thank you for sharing that with me Nadia 🙂

      Reply

      • Alina
        May 12, 2015

        Natasha! What kind of gloves do u use not to cut yourself? I saw u wearing a glove on one of the pix but now I don’t see it on the pix lol

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          May 12, 2015

          They’re great and have probably saved my fingers countless times! Here is a link to the No Cry Gloves on Amazon (where we purchased ours)

          Reply

          • Alina
            May 20, 2015

            Thank you so much

  • ElizabethS
    February 27, 2015

    You must have posted this before I started following your blog, I love “Korean Carrot” salad! This is the only way my son will eat veggies! I know there’s coriander in it, but in St. Petersburg at least it is definitely known as Korean. I stuck my nose up when my husband wanted to put onion in, but I had to admit that it added something, so I think your recipe is right on. They actually sell the dressing here, but I wanted to try making it myself, so I found coriander and I can’t wait to make it…or make my husband do it since I’m too lazy to julienne carrots! Also, the kind here definitely has a kick to it, as I saw someone else mention.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 27, 2015

      The onion is definitely nice – it was all my Mom’s genius :). Thanks Elizabeth 🙂

      Reply

  • Spalva
    February 11, 2015

    Hi,

    I lived in Kyrgyzstan for three years, Ukraine for three, and Lithuania for four. I miss these foods, which became a part of our lives! I have tried to re-create this salad before. I think I was missing the coriander. I really hope it turns out just like the one I used to eat with my lagman!

    Thank you for posting all these recipes. After all those years I never did master them. Now I can bring them back to our table.

    I have only one request: that you add some hot cereal recipes to the breakfast section. I’ve never got my mannaya kasha quite how I remember it — I think it must have to do with Kyrgyz butter, though!

    Spasibiy!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 11, 2015

      Hi Spalva, the coriander does add a little somethin’ somethin’. I hope you are able to re-create your salad memory :). I’ll definitely keep in mind the hot cereal request. Thank you!

      Reply

  • Marina
    November 4, 2014

    Hi Natasha,
    I wanted to try making this salad for a birthday party this weekend. I was wondering if I can peel and julienne the carrots the night before the party, and mix it a few hours before serving? Or will the carrots drain too much?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 4, 2014

      Yes, absolutely and I think that is a great idea! I love to do advanced prep as much as I can when it comes to parties. 🙂

      Reply

      • Marina
        November 5, 2014

        Great! I cant wait to try it 🙂
        Thank you!

        Reply

  • Maria
    October 10, 2014

    Already tried it twice, with some corrections from Russian food sites. It’s an individual taste issue, but for me it doesn’t come out hot enough, as that salad you buy.. I do some “massage” to the sliced carrots. I add 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp of hot paprika, 2 Tbsp vinegar, more salt and sugar, and still – not hot enough. I guess I’ll keep trying, gradually adding more spices and the result will improve. But it’s only my taste..

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 10, 2014

      Thanks for sharing your changes. I’ve never had a spicier version. Let me know your final result. I’d love to try it! 🙂

      Reply

  • Deana
    May 30, 2014

    Hi Natasha! Can you tell where I can find this carrot grater? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 30, 2014

      The only place I’ve found it was online. There is a link above in step 1. 🙂

      Reply

  • Jessie
    November 2, 2013

    Hi Natasha, thanks for sharing your recipe! What type of peeler should I get to make the long thin carrot pieces? I have tried this salad made with a regular grater, but it just wasn’t the same.

    Reply

  • Olga's Flavor Factory
    January 21, 2013

    My Mom just made this salad a few days ago:). It’s one of her favorites:). Looks delicious. I love the combination of spices you use.

    Reply

  • Emma
    February 25, 2012

    Do you have kislaya kapusta recipe?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 25, 2012

      Not yet, but my mom makes a good one. I’ll add it to the to-do list 🙂

      Reply

  • Alex
    February 21, 2012

    One of the best appetizer when you are having vodka shots. Took me so quickly to make it. Thanks Natasha !!!

    Reply

  • Dina
    August 19, 2011

    I love this salad. I also make a sweet and sour version once in a while. It’s pretty much the same idea…carrots, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt. Very good too.

    Reply

  • Alla kinakh
    April 23, 2011

    Hey i have a question is it better making it the day of eating it or the day before?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 23, 2011

      Ok so I asked my mom and she said it would be fine the day before and may even taste better to do it ahead and refrigerate it. 🙂

      Reply

      • Anonymous
        January 21, 2013

        It always needs time to marinade, allow it at least one day or one night to marinade before eating it.

        Reply

  • Nata
    January 6, 2011

    Is there any way to make this salad without onion, like subbing onion powder? If yes, I had a slightly different version of this recipe and it required the olive oil to be boiled prior to mixing it with the carrots. I never made it so I’m not sure if that’s a necessary step if I do use onion powder instead of sauteing real onion.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 6, 2011

      I haven’t tried it that way. The onion seems fundamental to me in this recipe. Let me know how it turns out if you try it with onion powder.

      Reply

      • guest
        June 15, 2015

        Yes, i use garlic powder. When it stands in the fridge it gives it a good gatlic taste. Also Natasha, i need to tell you the real secret to this salad. Its not only coriander, it can also be cumin… and then the MOST important thing that youre missing is that u actually need to roughly chop the onion and fry it in a lot of oil. Then you need to skim off and discard the onion and pour the hot onion-flavored oil on the carrots that have been soaking overnight in the vinegar and other spices. Then refrigerate again. This makes the correct salad with the right texture. My dad learned this from the Koreans that sold the salad in the markets in Ukraine.

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          June 15, 2015

          Those are some wonderful tips! Thank you so much for taking the time to share that with me 🙂

          Reply

  • Lidia
    December 12, 2010

    Thank you Joe. This carrot salad recipe is a nice change from the mayonaise type that I’ve tried. I look forward to making it.

    Reply

  • Ilona
    December 11, 2010

    Thats awesome that you posted a recipe for this salad… This salad is very popular among Slavs and i always buy it from the Store which gets very expensive if bought for a party. Now i will do it on my own. Thanks

    Reply

  • Joe in N Calif
    December 11, 2010

    That looks like it does a right fine job on knuckles and fingertips too!

    Reply

    • Iryna
      November 18, 2012

      Yes, I love Korean-type-carrot salad! It goes well as condiment

      Reply

  • Lidia
    December 11, 2010

    Liza and Joe in N Cal, How do you translate that site in english?

    Reply

    • Joe in N Calif
      December 11, 2010

      Lidia, I go to this site: http://translate.google.com/#ru|en|

      Pick my languages, then cut and paste blocks of text, no more than 3 or 4 lines at a time. It doesn’t always get all the words, but it will be close enough to use.

      Reply

      • Joe in N Calif
        December 11, 2010

        For example:

        * картофель – 3-4 шт,
        * копченая курица или кальмары – 200 г,
        * маринованные огурцы – 2 шт,
        * яйца – 3 шт,
        * яблоко – 1 шт (по желанию),
        * сыр – 150-200 г,
        * майонез,
        * чеснок – 1-2 зубчика (по вкусу),
        * соль,
        * свежемолотый перец,
        * зерна граната, свекла и зелень для украшения

        becomes

        * Potatoes – 3-4 pcs
        * Smoked chicken or calamari – 200 g
        * Pickles – 2 pcs
        * Eggs – 3 pcs
        * Apple – 1 piece (optional)
        * Cheese – 150-200 g,
        * Mayonnaise
        * Garlic – 1-2 cloves (to taste)
        * Salt
        * Freshly ground pepper
        * Pomegranate seeds, beets, and herbs for decoration

        and

        Приготовление

        Картофель вымыть, отварить в мундире, очистить и натереть на крупной терке.
        Яйца отварить, охладить, почистить и натереть на терке.
        Сыр натереть на мелкой терке.
        Огурцы нарезать тонкой соломкой или кубиками.
        Копченую курицу нарезать небольшими кусочками или соломкой.

        * Если Вы хотите приготовить салат с кальмарами, то попробуйте сначала приготовить небольшую порцию салата, чтобы убедиться в том, что вам нравится подобное сочетание ингредиентов.
        Для подготовки кальмаров, нужно обработанные тушки кальмаров положить в кипящую подсоленную воду и варить с момента закипания 2 минуты. Кальмаров охладить и порезать соломкой.

        changes through the magic of computers to:

        Preparation

        Wash potatoes, boil in their jackets, peel and grate.
        Boil eggs, cool, peel and grate.
        Cheese grate.
        Cucumbers cut into thin strips or cubes.
        Smoked chicken, cut into small pieces or strips.

        * If you want to cook a salad with squid, then you should try to cook a small portion of salad to make sure that you enjoy this combination of ingredients.
        To prepare the squid, squid carcasses to be processed to put in boiling salted water and boil after boiling for 2 minutes. Squid to cool and cut into strips.

        Reply

        • Gene
          April 24, 2013

          To the comment about translating. You can also use the Google Chrome browser if you have it downloaded. When you go to any different language website with Google Chrome it automatically gives you the option to translate the whole website at the top in a bar of the browser. Hope that makes it a little easier then copying and pasting all the time.

          Reply

  • Natasha
    December 10, 2010

    Thank you Liza! I really appreciate the tip. I’ll check it out!

    Reply

  • Liza
    December 7, 2010

    I’m glad you posted this! It’s funny though, in Russian it’s called Korean salad! I’ve never even known if it’s actually Korean or why it’s called so! I’ve always used the packages spice mixes for this salad, so I’d definitely like to try a more homemade version. We always have this for New Year! 🙂

    I found another recipe I really like to try this New Year: http://gotovim-doma.ru/view.php?r=840-recept-Salat-S-novym-godom!&ftop=1 — can’t wait! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 8, 2010

      Really?? I didn’t know that. I didn’t even know there was an official name for this salad. My aunt makes a version of this with beef wich is very good too. What kind of packaged seasoning do you use? I checked out that link. What a cute idea for the topping. I love it!! That would be really fun to do on a cake too.

      Reply

      • Liza
        December 8, 2010

        I normally use this exact kind: http://www.russiantable.com/store/Spices-for-Korean-Carrot__87-48.html — Gotovim doma also has a recipe for it as well apparently, which I hadn’t seen before: http://gotovim-doma.ru/view.php?r=294-recept-Morkov-po-koreiski — 🙂

        Reply

    • Joe in N Calif
      December 8, 2010

      Google Translate is my friend! Two years of high school Russian, unused now for way too long just didn’t cut it. Thank you for posting that, Liza.

      Reply

      • Liza
        December 8, 2010

        Your welcome! 🙂 That site has so many nice recipe! 🙂

        Reply

    • Galina
      February 12, 2012

      Hah that’s so funny, when I saw the title for this page I thought “doesn’t she mean morkovka po koreiski”? Everyone I know here calls it that. I did ask my Korean friend about this and she had never heard of it so it made me wonder where the salad got its name…I love your site Natasha!

      Reply

      • Larissa
        November 25, 2013

        Maybe because it has coriander in it, and people just started call Korean salad instead of carrot coriander salad 🙂

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          November 25, 2013

          That could be 😉

          Reply

          • Maya
            August 21, 2014

            Because it’s a staple salad sold by local Koreans all over Russia and the former Soviet Union. They have many other salads but this is the most popular one. During the SU times, they would only sell 3 types of salad but now they sell like 20 types. The secret ingredient refers to the fact that all recipes in ex-SU Korean communities are kept internally only and passed from mother to daughter. A Korean woman or man for that matter (some cook too!) would never disclose the ingredients. It’s true though no matter how you make it it never exactly taste like the true Korean salad.

          • Natasha
            natashaskitchen
            August 21, 2014

            I had no idea the history behind this salad. Thanks for sharing! I’d like to taste a “true” one I guess so I could compare.

  • Joe in N Calif
    December 7, 2010

    The thread title says coriander, the photo shows coriander seeds, but the “:how to make” says ‘caraway.’ This might be confusing for some 😉

    Sounds delicious. And has me thinking it might make a nice carrot latke. I love playing with food. I read a recipe and almost automatically start thinking of other ways to use it.

    Reply

  • Tina
    December 7, 2010

    Do you have any other cake recipes?

    Reply

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