Classic Russian Carrot Salad with Spices and Garlic

This is a quick version of the Russian Korean Carrot Salad with Spices which is a popular salad. Raw, finely julienned carrots seasoned with spices, garlic, and steamed grapeseed oil. The crunchy carrot salad is served as an appetizer or delicious side dish for the holidays and special occasions, like weddings, parties, or potlucks. You are going to love it and it will quickly become a family favorite!

Russian Korean Carrot Salad Recipe called morkovcha (Морковь по-корейски) is a simple salad that’s very popular all over the former Soviet Union. A single bite will have you believe that this is not an ordinary carrot salad. There’s more to it than meets the eye. 

Raw fresh carrot salad has way more nutritional value than boiled carrots and is easy to prepare! This salad is a great way to add carrots to your daily life. It has so much flavor. The sweet, and tangy mildly Spicy Carrot Salad is made with local ingredients found at the grocery store. The caramelized onions, seasoned with garlic and coriander, add flavor to the julienne carrots making them more tasty.

The shredded carrots are the key to making the perfect salad recipe. I like using a Julienne peeler. Julienne cuts are thin, even slices of a vegetable or fruit made by squaring off the edges of the veggie or fruit and cutting it into planks and then strips.

What’s the history of this Russian-Korean carrot salad?

Russian “Korean” salad, or Корейская Морковь (literally, “Korean carrots”), is a marinated salad with fresh carrot as the main ingredient. The dressing consists of white vinegar, mandatory fresh garlic, coriander, and spices of your choice like cayenne pepper. 

The history of this dish is largely based on oral traditions that can’t be confirmed. This Carrot Salad recipe isn’t a true Korean cuisine, but a Russian variation from ethnic Koreans who lived in the Russian Far East.  

It’s very similar to the Russian carrot salad (Koryska Morkva) and is said to have originated from Korean immigrants who lived in the Soviet Union. The Korean Russians adapted their recipes to available foods. In this case, carrots grew well in Central Asia where the Korean population was resettled.

The recipe is more Russian than Korean and is likely a Russian interpretation of something else that originated in East Asia. The dish was adapted and became a  different recipe by the time it became a popular, classic recipe in Slavic cuisine.

Key Ingredients

Carrots: This is the main ingredient and star of the recipe. Use large carrots which are easier to shred into julienne carrots than small ones. 

Cane sugar: Adds more depth of flavor and sweetness than regular granulated sugar.

Ground coriander: A true Russian-Korean Carrot Salad can’t be complete without coriander! It adds a refreshing zest and delicious earthy and aromatic flavor. 

White vinegar: It’s the key to making the simple vinaigrette. Adds a tangy and acidic flavor that brightens the salad. 

Garlic: The mandatory fresh garlic adds a savory and spicy flavor to the salad. 

Grapeseed oil: Brings out the best of the mix of garlic and carrot flavor.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to store leftover spicy carrot salad:

• You can make this salad ahead of time, especially during the busy holiday season.
• Leftover carrot salad can be stored in an airtight container or glass mason jar and kept refrigerated to enjoy for up to a week.

Expert Tips 

• For best results, use an oil with a high smoke point that will work such as avocado, sunflower, or grapeseed oils. Olive oil can leave an aftertaste that can be too overpowering because this is a fresh salad eaten raw. 
• White vinegar works best here. Don’t use a fancy vinegar. 
• If you are using organic carrots, you don’t need to peel them, just cut off the ends.
• Don’t discard the carrot juice from the salad, always toss it together again before serving to coat the carrots in the dressing again.
• Add chili pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot cayenne peppers for that extra spicy kick. 
• If your local grocery store sells bags of julienned carrots, you can use them. It’s a great time saver!

Recipe FAQs

Looking for more carrot recipes? Here are some family favorites:

• This Quick Creamy Carrot Salad with Dill is a great salad to put together anytime.
• The Simple Roasted Carrots with Sage Side Dish are healthy, super easy to make, and absolutely delicious.
• I love making this simple One-Pot Beef Stew Recipe every fall.
• This Braised Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots soup is a simple yet satisfying and flavorful meal that is sure to become a family favorite

If you tried this Classic Russian Korean Carrot Salad or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!