Harissa Carrot Salad

Crisp shredded harissa carrots that are tossed in a tangy pepper paste with sunflower seeds to give a nutty crunch. Excellent side dish for your bowl creations and pita sandwiches.

Golden Side Dish

You will be super excited to add this harissa carrot salad to your dish or pita pocket. It gives just the right crunch and brings your meal to the next level. Oh, and it ensures you eat your carrots for the day, haha! Harissa is a North African pepper paste made up of Boukleti peppers from the Mehreg region, roasted red peppers, and spices ad herbs related to the region.

Such common spices and herbs include caraway, cumin, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and lemon. Try your local North African, Mediterranean, or Middle-Eastern store if you can’t find Harissa at the big chain supermarkets. I usually get mine at a local kosher market. Still no luck at finding it? Try my Quick Harissa Paste recipe.

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Golden Side Dish
Instructions
Equipment
Storage
Cooking tip
Side Dish Ideas
Vegetarian Recipes
Recipe
Food safety
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Instructions

two peeled carrots next to a japanese mandoline on a wooden cutting board

Mandolines are a quicker way to shred and slice fruits and vegetables. I've had my Japanese Benriner Classic Slicer for 20+ years.

shredded carrots next to a japanese mandoline on a wooden cutting board

Use the coarse blade to make julienne cuts.

shredded carrots with harissa and herbs in a metal mixing bowl

After you shred the carrots, combine everything else in a mixing bowl. You can serve it immediately or store it in the fridge for five days or more in a tightly closed glass container. Do glass Containers Keep food fresh longer? Kitchen Sear says “yes,” and so do I from experience.

gloved hand showing mixed harissa carrot salad in a metal bowl

To combine the ingredients well, I like to wear disposable gloves and message the carrots with the seasoning to ensure maximum coating.

Equipment

Mandoline - Use a mandoline to shred quickly. You can use a box grater if you don't have a mandoline. I've used my Benriner Japanese Classic Slicer for over 20 years. The pieces will be thinner, but you can get away with it since the raw carrot will still have that desirable crunch.

Storage

Store the harissa carrot salad in an air-tight glass container, lasting up to 5 days.

Cooking tip

Really massage that harissa paste into the carrots!

Side Dish Ideas

Looking for other side dish recipes like this? Try these:

See more Sides →

Vegetarian Recipes

Looking for other side dish recipes like this? Try these:

See more Vegetarian →

Recipe

Food safety

Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat to prevent foodborne illness from contaminated uncooked meats.
Wash hands after touching raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
Don't leave food at room temperature for extended periods; this can breed bacteria.
Never leave cooking food unattended to prevent burns and fires.
Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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