A simple carrot salad, popularized on TikTok, became one of the most searched recipes of 2025, according to Google’s Year in Search report. The dish gained traction with over 19.7 million views on a single video, and its appeal lies in its surprising combination of ease, flavor, and texture.
Why This Salad Went Viral
The recipe stands out because it’s not just another salad. The use of a vegetable peeler to create thin carrot ribbons gives the dish an unexpected crunch that many describe as similar to a potato chip. This texture, combined with a bold dressing, makes it a standout side dish – so much so that it was the hit of summer barbecues for those who tried it.
How to Make It
The salad is remarkably easy to prepare. The core ingredients are carrots (peeled into ribbons), thinly sliced red onions, and chopped green onions. Many cooks have experimented with adding other ribboned vegetables, like cucumbers, for extra freshness.
The dressing is where the flavor really comes alive. The original version uses a mix of sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and chili flakes. However, the recipe is flexible: cooks have successfully incorporated honey, mirin, peanut butter, chili oil, sriracha, hoisin, and even yuzu for added complexity.
A Crowd-Pleasing Dish
The recipe’s popularity suggests a growing trend towards simple yet elevated home cooking. It’s a dish that stands out at gatherings where the usual pasta or potato salad dominates.
This carrot ribbon salad isn’t just a trend; it’s a reminder that sometimes the most delicious recipes are also the easiest to make. Its viral success proves that social media algorithms can occasionally tap into genuine culinary desires.
