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    Home » Gluten Free

    Published: Feb 19, 2022 · Modified: Mar 15, 2023 by Padma Kumar, 2 Comments

    Carrot Salad Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Kosambari, as this grated carrot salad recipe is called in some parts of India, finds its place, most often, in the food offerings made to deities during festivals and celebrations.

    Raw carrot salad recipe served in a black plate.

    It is a crunchy, no-cook salad made with soaked mung lentils, grated coconut, juicy carrots, fresh coriander, lime juice and simple pantry spices. It is sweet, tangy and spicy all at once!  This salad comes together without much effort and just as this carrots and chia salad recipe tastes great cold or at room temperature.  

    Love salads? Me too! What is your favourite salad? Do let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for the carrot salad recipe
    • Making this easy carrot and lentil salad
    • Storing this salad
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients for the carrot salad recipe

    We all know that lentils and pulses are good for health and this clever recipe has lentils, veggies and spices all in good proportions to make it delicious and healthy.

    Ingredients for mung lentils salad recipe placed in round bowls on a brown textured background.

    Mung lentils: Use the regular, yellow lentils.

    Coconut: We require grated coconut. Fresh or frozen coconut works best. I do not recommend using desiccated coconut for this recipe. Desiccated coconut works in those recipes (such as this sautéed beetroot) where there is some cooking/steaming involved as this will allow the coconut to "bloom".

    Green chilli: I love the flavour of green chilli. I use green chilli in this recipe more for the flavour than the heat. Use a mild one. Not a fan of chilli? No worries! Skip it.

    Lime or lemon?: I would say lime. If you have read my article about souring agents, you will know that I love the intense tanginess of limes. Lemon juice will work well too.

    Fresh cilantro: Use only the leaves and not the stems. This being a South Indian recipe, you may use curry leaves (finely chopped), however, I prefer not to.

    Making this easy carrot and lentil salad

    Come, let's make this delicious salad.

    Step 1: Begin by soaking the lentils in water. But before that, wash them in water 2 -3 times - till the water runs clear. Now soak moong dal for 1 hour.

    Moong dal soaking in water in a round white bowl.

    Step 2: While the lentils are soaking, grate the carrot. I use a box grater for this.

    Grated carrot placed in a round stainless steel plate with a box grater and some fresh cilantro on the side.

    Step 3: Finely chop the green chili and cilantro.

    Chopped green chilies and cilantro placed in two separate white bowls next to each other.

    Step 4: Drain all the water after the lentils have soaked for 1 hour.

    Soaked and drained mung lentils in a white bowl.

    Step 5: In a mixing bowl, add the grated carrot, chopped green chili and fresh cilantro. Add the drained lentils, salt, coconut and ground black pepper. Add the juice of a lime. Mix well.

    Mum's top tip: Mix and massage the salad with your hand. It will taste even more delicious!

    Mixing grated carrot and lentils with spices.

    The salad is ready for it. If you have the time, let the salad rest for 30 minutes. This will allow the juices to mingle and enhance the flavours.

    Pro tip: If you plan on having this salad later, do not add the salt in just yet. Add the salt a few minutes before serving. This will keep the salad crunchy and juicy!

    Powdered garam masala is placed in a round brown colored bowl and some whole garam masala spices are placed next to the bowl against a black backdrop.

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    Storing this salad

    This moong salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I find that the salad tastes even better after a day or two! I love having this salad in the fridge as a handy side to a meal or as a snack on its own when hunger pangs hit. It is good for any time of the day!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What other ingredients can I use in this salad?

    The possibilities are many! You may add slices grapes or pomegranate kernels. You may add cucumber and turn this into cucumber kosambari instead of carrot kosambari.

    What other souring agent can I use in place of lime/ lemon?

    Unripe mango will work like a dream! Just grate some raw mango - the quantity will depend on the sourness of the mango as well as your personal liking - and add it to this salad in place of lime juice.

    Is this salad safe to feed children?

    Absolutely! This salad is suitable for your toddler 18 months upwards. Children will love the texture of this salad. They will enjoy feeling the different textures and colours. 

    How do you store carrot salad?

    Carrot salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad tastes even better after a day or two!

    How do I make grated carrots?

    It is simple! Just wash the carrots and grate them using a box grater (or any other grater). If you so prefer, peel them before grating.

    If you have made this easy carrot salad recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and a rating below. This will make me super happy and motivate me to create more good content for you! You can also engage with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram xx Padma

    Powdered garam masala is placed in a round brown colored bowl and some whole garam masala spices are placed next to the bowl against a black backdrop.

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    Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive recipes, ideas, updates, and more!

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    📖 Recipe

    Raw carrot salad recipe served in a black plate.

    Carrot Salad Recipe

    Padma Kumar
    Grated carrot salad recipe is a quick and healthy and has no oil. It is made with mung lentils, carrots and simple spices. Enjoy this vegan and gluten free salad on its own or as part of a meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share by Email
    Prep Time 1 hr
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Resting Time 5 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 3
    Calories 162 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup yellow mung lentils
    • ½ cup water (at room temperature)
    • 1 medium sized carrot (100 -110 grams)
    • 1 green chili (mild)
    • 15-20 cilantro (coriander) leaves only
    • 2 teaspoons grated coconut (fresh or frozen)
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust as required)
    • 1 tablespoon juice of lime (or lemon)

    Instructions
     

    Prep the lentils

    • Wash the lentils 2-3 times till the water runs clear. Soak in water for 1 hour. 
      ½ cup yellow mung lentils, ½ cup water

    Prep the vegetables

    • While the lentils are soaking, grate the carrot. I use a box grater for this. 
      Chop the green chilli and the cilantro finely. 
      1 medium sized carrot, 1 green chili, 15-20 cilantro (coriander) leaves only

    Keep the ingredients measured and ready

    • Salt and crushed black pepper.
      Grated coconut. 
      Squeeze the lime and measure the juice required for this recipe. 
      ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon juice of lime

    Now let us assemble the salad

    • After the lentils have soaked for an hour, drain them. Make sure that all the water has drained off well.
      In a mixing bowl, add the ingredients one by one. Start with the grated carrot. Then add the chopped green chilli and cilantro. 
      Now add the lentils, salt, crushed black pepper, coconut and lime juice.
      Mix well. 
      I learnt from my mum that mixing this salad with hand and gently massaging the ingredients with your palm will ensure that the juices and flavors mingle well, resulting is a salad that tastes sublime!
      2 teaspoons grated coconut
    • The salad is ready! 
      Have it as a snack or as a delicious side with your main meal. 

    Notes

    • Grate vs Chop: If you are like me, you will be tempted to chop/mince the carrot in a food processor instead of grating it. Please don't do that. Grating the carrot will give this dish the texture that is expected of it.
    • I have kept this salad very simple and with few ingredients. You may add slices of grapes or pomegranate kernels. Add cucumber pieces to make this cucumber kosambari instead of carrot kosambari. 
    • This salad is suitable for your toddler 18 months upwards. Children will love the texture of this salad. They will enjoy feeling the different textures and colors. 
     

    Note: The nutrition information is based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 27.4gProtein: 9.7gFat: 1.7gSaturated Fat: 1.5gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 67mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 7.7gSugar: 4.2gCalcium: 20mgIron: 50mg
    Keyword grated carrot, kosambari, moong dal salad, raw salad
    Tried this recipe? Do share with us!Mention @mygoodfoodworld or tag #mygoodfoodworld

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ravi says

      March 17, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      Love this recipe

      Reply
      • mygoodfoodworld says

        March 22, 2022 at 7:45 pm

        Thank you so much Ravi.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Padma! I am a passionate cook and can cook through any mood! My cooking is all about simple, healthy meals made with fresh ingredients and with a lot of love. As a mum and an early childhood educator, I deeply care about raising healthy eaters.

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