Quick and healthy Asian carrot noodles with a delicious combination of hoisin, soy, orange juice, and ginger! A unique and delicious low-carb dinner.

You know earlier this week when I was introducing carrots how I mentioned, in a roundabout sorta way, that the goal this week is to pretty much make carrots not taste like carrots? Because I really don’t like carrots?
Well, I’ve gone n’ done it. These carrots-turned-carrot noodles are so much more than the bitter, crunchy root they were destined to be. And it’s all thanks to some very magical sauces and flavors.
Ingredients for these carrot noodles
- Sesame Oil: This has always been on my “should probably learn something about” list, so I finally gave it a go. It’s a flavorful oil, almost nutty, and goes really well with the heap of other Asian flavors in this recipe.
- Hoisin Sauce: By far the most magical ingredient. This pungent blend of soy, chile, garlic, sugar, and sometimes vinegar or garlic brings a big Chinese punch of flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Something needs to bring the umami to these carrots, and soy sauce is it.
- Orange Juice: Just a dash does sweet citrus wonders!
- Ginger: Freshly grated ginger moderates the hoisin sauce a bit and is just that missing piece of the puzzle.
- Carrots: Obviously we need carrots for these Asian carrot noodles! You will need full-size carrots but there’s no need to peel them as long as they are washed well.
- Sesame Seeds: Topping with sesame seeds adds a little more crunch and another level of flavor to really it home the nutty sesame flavor.
How to Make Asian Carrot Noodles
Making these noodles are so simple. All it takes is mixing the sauce up and shaving the carrots!
Step 1: Glaze
In a small bowl mix hoisin, soy, orange juice, and ginger.
Step 2: Noodle-fy
Use a vegetable peeler to peel down the length of the carrot, creating long ribbons. (I know this isn’t a conventional way of cutting carrots, but it creates the most luxurious – and easy – vegetable noodles!)
Step 3: Cook
Heat sesame oil in a large saute pan or a wok over medium heat. Add carrot noodles and cook for about 3 minutes, gently stirring often. Add in the sauce mixture and continue to cook another 1 minute, stirring to blend everything together. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot!
Recipe Tips
Don’t Peel: No one wants more work, so don’t make more! Simply wash the carrots in enough so don’t worry about trying to peel them. The peels are perfectly tasty!
Storage: These carrot noodles store really well in the fridge and can be reheated in the microwave or in a saucepan. They are also pretty darn good cold too!
FAQs
Can you spiralize a carrot?
Sure can! If you have a spiralizer, that is a great way to make these carrot noodles. However, because they have less surface area, they will not hold as much sauce.
Can I cut these with a knife?
Unfortunately, these noodles rely heavily on super thin pieces of carrots and that is almost impossible to achieve with knives. A vegetable peeler is definitely the way to go!
Can you freeze carrot noodles?
Yup! If you make a big batch of carrot noodles, you can store them in a plastic bag, remove all the air, and then store hem in the freezer. When ready o use, just place them in the fridge the night before to thaw.
More spiralized veggie recipes to try
- Zucchini Pasta with Avocado Pesto
- Butternut Squash Pasta
- Sweet Potato Fettuccine with Gorgonzola Sauce
- Asparagus Noodles with Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce 30 mL
- 2 Tbsp orange juice 30 mL
- 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce 15 mL
- 1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 6 large carrots trimmed
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Glaze: In a small bowl mix hoisin, soy, orange juice, and ginger.
- Noodle-fy: Use a vegetable peeler to peel down the length of the carrot, creating long ribbons.
- Cook: Heat sesame oil in a large saute pan or a wok over medium heat. Add carrot noodles and cook about 3 minutes, gently stirring often. Add in the sauce mixture and continue to cook another 1 minute, stirring to blend everything together. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot!
Sandra says
These look incerdible!!
Sarah says
Thanks, Sandra! So many spiraliz-able veggies out there just waiting to be discovered š
StCey Spriggs says
Great recipe, what’s the name of your spiralizer and where did you find it? Thanks
Sarah says
Hi there! I use the Kitchen Supreme spiralizer for all of my spiraly recipes! I bought mine on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/1PnSB9l. It looks like it’s on sale right now too!
GW says
Can you post a section or library on veggie noodle options. I see carrot and zucinni, but what else works?
Sarah says
That’s a great idea! As I begin to make more spiralized dishes I’ll work some sort of library for them. But you can spiralize so much, especially with a good quality spiralizer, beets, squash, apples, potatoes. You can find inspiration at Inspiralized.
Chyra says
I fixed this as a side with dinner this evening and my family raved about it. So delicious! Will have this again and again!!!
Sarah says
I’m so happy to hear than, Chyra! So happy your family liked it š
Julie says
We made these this evening with a little Spiral Slicer gadget I had just gotten and was using for the first time. We really liked this recipe, my daughter is picky but likes cooked carrots. Definitely going in the rotation.
Sarah says
So happy to hear they were daughter-approved! Something about spiralizing is just so kid-friendly, I love it! š
Lisa Roettger says
I was looking for something to have alongside Asian lettuce wraps. This worked well. Quick and delicious–and healthy. What more could you ask for?
Sarah says
Aw, so happy to hear Lisa! Be sure to stay tuned next week, I’ve got an Asian Lettuce Wrap coming up I think you’ll love š
Dan says
Quick, easy and tasty, I’ll make it again. Thank you and Happy New Year š
Karen Booker says
Easy to prep and absolutely DELICIOUS!!
Pe says
I tried your carrot recipe for a picky grandchild. They were a hit. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Sarah Bond says
So happy to hear this!! Enjoy! š
Kari Ward says
DELICIOUS!!!! Who knew cooked carrots could taste so good. The sauce is so zesty good and really makes the carrots shine as the star of the show! Good job sauce! Sarah again THANK YOU!
Gail says
Yumm! Thanks for this recipe. It was so fast and delicious! I think we’ll double (at least)the glaze and mix in cooked chicken and a little broccoli next time instead of serving those alongside the noodles. They need that glaze!
Jilaine says
These were awesome! Had to have my husband help me with the peeler. He said it was easy for him.
I will definitely make these again.
Thank you š
D'OnKaMiNoOr says
Thank you very much for this very yummy recipe !
Will definitely add it to my recipe book.
Louise Baron says
This is so delicious I’ll to make it again & again.
Thanks for this little treasure.
Have a beautiful Sunday!
Louise
Jacky says
Delicious and so easy to make!