Summer, Sunshine, and the Color Orange
Summer is here and it is time for bright, vibrant fruits and vegetables. Can you tell I have been on an orange kick lately?
Ripe papayas, bright orange carrots, juicy mangoes, and orange sweet potatoes destined for magnesium-rich luteal phase brownies (recipe coming soon!) have completely taken over my kitchen. Everywhere I look, there seems to be another beautiful orange fruit or vegetable calling my name.
Before we get into this salad, I want to talk about the color orange and what it means to me.
My Season of Orange
After leaving a difficult chapter of my life behind a few years ago, I moved into my own apartment and began building a new life from scratch. It was a season of healing, inspiration, and rediscovering myself.
Without even realizing it, I found myself gravitating toward the color orange.
I bought a large, soft orange comforter. I hung beautiful orange curtains that made my apartment glow like a warm sunset whenever the afternoon light streamed through the windows. I splurged on a flame-orange Le Creuset Dutch oven that quickly became one of my most-used kitchen tools as my love of cooking returned and began to grow.
Curious about this obsession with orange, I called my sister, who is deeply interested in color theory, design, and aesthetics, and asked what it might mean.
She told me that orange is often associated with enthusiasm, warmth, creativity, optimism, and new beginnings.
In other words, I had subconsciously surrounded myself with exactly what I needed.
Ever since then, orange has felt special to me. It reminds me of creativity, inspiration, courage, and the excitement of starting something new.
Why Orange Foods Are So Good For You
As it turns out, orange foods are just as impressive nutritionally as they are beautiful.
Many orange fruits and vegetables get their vibrant color from beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A.
Antioxidants help protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress, supporting overall health and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
Vitamin A is particularly important for healthy vision, immune function, and maintaining a strong skin barrier. It also contributes to that healthy, radiant glow we all want during the summer months.
Which brings us to today’s recipe.
Why Is It Called a Carrot “Retinol” Salad?
While this salad doesn’t actually contain retinol, it is rich in beta carotene—the antioxidant responsible for giving carrots their brilliant orange color.
Once consumed, your body converts beta carotene into vitamin A, also known as retinol, as needed. Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining healthy vision, supporting the immune system, and keeping your skin healthy from the inside out.
One of vitamin A’s most important jobs is helping skin cells grow and renew themselves. It supports the skin’s natural barrier, helping it retain moisture while protecting against environmental damage. This is one reason retinol has become such a beloved skincare ingredient—it encourages healthy skin cell turnover and contributes to smoother, brighter-looking skin.
Of course, eating carrots won’t replace your favorite skincare routine, but nourishing your body with colorful, antioxidant-rich foods is one of the simplest ways to support healthy skin from within.
So while this “Carrot Retinol Salad” may not come in a little glass serum bottle, it does offer a delicious way to enjoy one of nature’s richest sources of beta carotene.
Why You’ll Love it
This salad went viral for a reason.
It is crunchy, refreshing, colorful, and surprisingly addictive. The carrot ribbons create a fun texture that almost feels like fresh pasta, making the salad far more satisfying than a traditional shredded carrot salad.
Fresh cucumber adds cooling crunch and hydration, while a creamy peanut-lime dressing, avocado, and toasted sesame seeds bring richness and balance.
The result is a salad that feels nourishing, vibrant, and substantial enough to enjoy as a light lunch or side dish.
This is my version of the famous Carrot Retinol Salad, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Viral Carrot “Retinol” Salad
Fresh carrot and cucumber ribbons are tossed with a creamy peanut-lime dressing, toasted sesame seeds, fresh herbs, and creamy avocado for a colorful salad that is as nourishing as it is beautiful. Inspired by the viral carrot "retinol" salad, this version is crunchy, refreshing, packed with flavor, and rich in beta carotene to support healthy skin and a radiant summer glow.
Ingredients
For the Salad
For the Creamy Peanut-Lime Dressing
Instructions
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Create the the carrot and cucumber ribbons
Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrots into long ribbons. Continue peeling until you reach the tough inner core.
Repeat with the cucumber, creating long ribbons and discarding the seedy center if desired.
Transfer the ribbons to a large mixing bowl.
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Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, peanut butter, garlic, and ginger until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust if desired. Add an extra squeeze of lime for brightness or a touch more maple syrup if your carrots are not particularly sweet.
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Toss the salad
Add the cucumber ribbons, green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds to the bowl with the carrots.
Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Reserve the remaining dressing for serving.
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Plate and garnish
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and use tongs to gently build height and create loose curls with the ribbons.
Tuck the avocado throughout the salad or arrange it on top.
Drizzle with the remaining peanut-lime dressing and finish with additional sesame seeds, cilantro, and green onions.
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Serve
Serve immediately while the vegetables are crisp and vibrant.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, though leftovers can be refrigerated for up to one day.
Note
Don't Worry if the Dressing Seems Thin
Carrots and cucumbers naturally contain a surprising amount of water. As the salad sits, the vegetables will release moisture into the bowl, causing the dressing to become thinner than it initially appears.
This is completely normal and one of the reasons this salad tastes so refreshing.
For the best texture and presentation, serve immediately after assembling. If preparing ahead, store the dressing separately and toss everything together just before serving.
You can also toss the ribboned carrot and cucumber with a pinch of salt and let sit for ten minutes, then drain the water they release before adding the dressing.
For a Richer Dressing
The peanut butter helps create a creamy dressing that clings to the carrot ribbons, but if you prefer an even richer salad, add sliced avocado just before serving. The avocado not only adds healthy fats and creaminess, but also creates a beautiful contrast against the bright orange carrots.
For the Best Presentation
Reserve a small amount of dressing and drizzle it over the finished salad rather than tossing it all in at once. This helps maintain height in the ribbons and creates a more visually appealing presentation.
