My cookbook is here! 
This dense bean carrot salad is healthy, flavorful and skincare in a bowl. This salad delivers a deliciously satisfying crunch in every single bite!
If you are looking for a vibrant, texture packed meal that comes together in minutes, this dense bean and carrot salad is your new go to. It balances hearty, protein rich kidney and cannellini beans with an incredibly crisp medley of julienned carrots, snap fresh cucumbers, and crunchy celery. This salad is my take on the popular and viral Carrot Ribbon salad aka Skincare Salad.
The magic that ties it all together is a bright, punchy dressing crafted from olive oil, lime juice, and garlic. It is balanced out by a natural hint of sweetness from maple syrup.
This creates a brilliant contrast of textures, where the buttery avocado perfectly tempers the crisp. It is a colorful, nutrient dense bowl that proves healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing bold flavor or satisfying textures.
If you like this recipe, you will also love my Cowboy Caviar Cabbage Slaw or my Greek Cabbage Salad.
Thank you for stopping by Hungry Happens! If you create this dish or any other recipe from our site, we would appreciate you taking the time to comment and rate! LOVE YOUR LIFE!
Dense Bean Carrot Salad (Skincare in a Bowl)
Ingredients
- 7 medium carrots, julienned
- 1 large cucumber, seeds removed + slice in half moons
- 15 oz (0.45 kg) kidney beans, rinsed + pat dry
- 15 oz (0.45 kg) cannelini beans, rinsed + pat dry
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 scallions, diced
- 1/3 cup (20 g) parsley, fine chop
- 1/3 cup (15 g) chives, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
Dressing:
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 2 tbs Tamari, or soy sauce
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbs lime juice
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- salt, to taste
Instructions
Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, syrup, garlic, lime juice, black sesame seeds, toasted sesame seeds and salt until combined. Taste and adjust if needed. Set aside.
Salad:
- In a large bowl, toss together the carrots, cucumber, kidney beans, cannelini beans, celery, scallions, parsley chives and dressing until all is coated. Top with avocados, black sesame seeds and chives.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4-5 days.
- You can use black beans instead of kidney beans.
- You can use chickpeas instead of cannelini beans.
- You can use honey instead of maple syrup.