Description
Korean carrots sizzle with tangy heat, bringing zesty Korean flavors to a simple side dish. Crisp julienned carrots marinated in spices create a perfect balance of sharp chili warmth and subtle vinegar notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.2 pounds (1000 grams) carrots, julienned
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled & pressed
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ¼–½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Liquid Ingredients:
- 3–4 tablespoons white vinegar
- ⅔ cup light olive oil (or any neutral oil)
Instructions
- Transform fresh carrots into delicate, matchstick-like strips using a sharp julienne slicer or precise chef’s knife technique, ensuring uniform thin pieces.
- Combine the julienned carrots in a spacious mixing vessel with aromatic seasonings: white vinegar, kosher salt, granulated sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, ground coriander seeds, freshly cracked black pepper, and pungent pressed garlic.
- Create a flavor foundation by sautéing diced onions in olive oil over medium heat, allowing them to caramelize and develop a rich golden hue. Remove the onions, reserving the infused oil for the next crucial step.
- Elevate the spice profile by carefully drizzling the sizzling hot oil directly over the seasoned carrot mixture, releasing intense aromatics and deepening the overall flavor complexity.
- Meticulously fold and integrate the ingredients, ensuring every carrot strand becomes thoroughly coated with the vibrant spice blend. Conduct a taste test, fine-tuning the balance of heat, sweetness, and tanginess as desired.
- Transfer the seasoned carrots into a sealed glass or metal container, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify during a minimum 6-12 hour refrigeration period.
- Once fully marinated, serve chilled as a zesty, complex side dish that will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week, maintaining its robust flavor profile.
Notes
- Perfectly julienne your carrots using a specialized slicer or sharp chef’s knife for consistent, thin strips that ensure even seasoning and texture.
- Create a vibrant spice blend mixing white vinegar, kosher salt, sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne, coriander, black pepper, and garlic for an explosive Korean-inspired flavor profile.
- Caramelize onions in olive oil until golden brown to develop a rich, sweet undertone that complements the spicy carrot base.
- Pour smoking-hot oil directly over spices to activate and amplify their aromatic compounds, intensifying the overall taste experience.
- Allow the carrots to marinate in the refrigerator for 6-12 hours, enabling the spices to fully penetrate and transform the raw vegetable into a complex, zesty side dish.
- Keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to one week, with flavors continuing to develop and deepen over time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg