This grated carrot salad with chia seeds recipe has the juiciness of seasonal fresh carrots and tomatoes, the crunch of the chia seeds and the flavour from cumin, coriander and freshly squeezed lemon. In short, it is one of those recipes that is a total saviour when you are rushed for time and need something to hit the spot!
I love making this salad in the winter when the carrots are in season and we get those deep red carrots here in the UK. I just love the winter vegetables and go crazy over the freshness and variety of vegetables available at that time of the year! This potatoes and peas in tomato gravy being one family favourite. I make this South Indian carrot salad recipe quite often throughout the winter. However, since carrots are available in supermarkets throughout the year, this is a dish that you can make anytime of the year. We all look for something cold and refreshing in the summer, right? This salad is a great option as a cold summer salad as well. Apart from being just 63 calories per serving (see the detailed break up of nutritive values after the recipe card), this recipe is also top 14 allergens free, has no added oil and is low in calories!
Next time you buy juicy carrots, do remember to make this recipe. You can thank me later :))
Chia Seeds
Honestly, when it comes to chia seeds, size does not matter! They are so tiny, yet so powerful! These adorable, tiny, shiny seeds are packed with goodness. Growing up, I remember my father soaking Sabja (Chia in Hindi) in water overnight and drinking it in the morning for good bowel movement and overall good health! I remember how fascinated I was to watch those tiny, about 2mm and a bit(!), seeds drink up all the water and become gelatinous in the glass. They looked so pretty through the glass! For the longest time I thought that this was the only way these seeds could be consumed. It is only when I entered into the world of cooking that I understood the versatility of Chia! Of all the chia seed recipes that I have had, I enjoy chia seeds pudding and chia seeds salad the most!
Which is your favourite chia seeds recipe? Do let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
About this easy carrot salad recipe
Mains or Side? If you were to ask me if this salad should be had as a main or as a side, I will say have it as a side. Here are some suggestions to make this super healthy salad part of a hearty meal:
- With this comforting and hearty Mung Bean Curry and Gluten free, Grain Free flat bread or this quick and easy flatbread.
- As a sandwich filling with hummus (to balance the tanginess of the salad) and this immunity boosting Turmeric and Black Pepper Soup
- 3) With pan fried tofu in a wrap
… and the possibilities are endless!
Which variety of carrots?: As mentioned earlier, I love making this salad with the red carrots that we get in the winter. I love the sweetness of those carrots. At other times of the year, the ubiquitous orange coloured carrot works perfectly well. I am thinking that purple carrots might work very well in this recipe too.
Let me know which variety of carrots you have used for this salad. Do share the experience with me!
Resting this salad: Chia seeds, as you may know, have the ability to absorb liquid. Resting this salad for at least one hour will allow the chia seeds to absorb the juices from the vegetables. If you have the time, I recommend keeping this salad in the fridge overnight. It tastes so good cold too!
Making this low calorie, healthy recipe is so easy!
This carrots and chia seeds salad is as easy as 1,2,3! It takes about 10 minutes (lesser, if you are using either a food processor or a blender to mince your carrots!) to get all the things ready and less than 5 minutes to assemble. The salad should rest for at least an hour. This will give time to the chia seeds to absorb the flavourful juices that ooze out of the carrots spring onions, chillies and the ginger. If you can rest it for longer (4-5 hours or overnight) then even better! This cold carrot salad works great as a lunch box option or picnic food as well.
- Wash and grate the carrots. I like to use the box grater for grating the carrots.
Time saving tip: If you are in a rush and do not have time to grate the carrots, mince them finely in a food processor. If you do not have a food processor and have a blender, cut the each carrot into 4-5 pieces and run the bender in 'pulse' mode to get a fine mince. Add the ginger and mince together. This will reduce your prep time by at least 5 minutes!
2. Cut the chillies and spring / green onions into thin strips. Grate the ginger. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
3. To make the chia seeds dressing, in a small bowl, mix the chia seeds with juice of lime, salt, ground cumin, ground coriander and red chilli powder. Set aside.
4. Now let us assemble the salad. In a wide bowl, add the grated/minced carrots, green chillies, spring onions, ginger and tomatoes. Add the chia seeds dressing and mix gently so that all the dressing coats the veggies evenly.
Rest the salad for at least an hour before serving.
Enjoyed this salad? Then do share your happiness by tagging me in Instagram
Love salads? I do to! Here are more salad recipes that I think you will enjoy:
Recipe Card
Approximate Nutritive Values for Carrots and Chia seeds salad
| Servings: 2 | |
|---|---|
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 63 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 1.2g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat 0.1g | 1% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 390mg | 17% |
| Total Carbohydrate 11.7g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.5g | 16% |
| Total Sugars 5.6g | |
| Protein 2.1g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 56mg | 4% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 433mg | 9% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. |
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