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    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Dips and Mezes

    Havuç Tarator - Turkish Carrot Dip with Yogurt

    Published: Feb 4, 2025 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Havuç Tarator (or Carrot Tarator) is a traditional Turkish dip made with grated carrots, thick yogurt, and garlic. It is quick and easy to prepare using a few simple ingredients you may already have on hand.

    havoc tartar served in small dishes as a mezzo

    This rich and refreshing carrot salad is a great addition to a mezze spread, served alongside other cold appetizers like hummus, haydari (garlic yogurt dip), Skordalia - Greek Potato Dip, and baba ghanoush. With its vibrant color, slightly sweet taste, and creamy texture, it’s simply delicious!

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • How to Make Havuç Tarator - Turkish Carrot Dip with Yogurt
    • Recipe Tips From the Chef
    • How to Serve Havuç Tarator - Carrot Salad with Yogurt
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Havuç Tarator - Turkish Carrot Dip with Yogurt

    The best way to enjoy this lightly spiced carrot tarator is with pita, lavash, or crackers. It also pairs well as a side dish for grilled fish or kebabs and makes a flavorful spread for sandwiches.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Quick & Easy – Takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
    • Healthy & Nutritious – Made with wholesome ingredients packed with vitamins.
    • Versatile – Perfect as a dip, spread, or side dish.
    • Delicious & Refreshing – The sweetness of carrots balances beautifully with tangy yogurt and garlic.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    labelled picture of ingredients for carrot dip with yogurt recipe
    • Carrots - Choose the freshest carrots and grate them right before using them in your recipe. Pre-shredded carrots lack the same texture and flavor.
    • Yogurt - Strained yogurt, also called sack yogurt, labneh, or kerned yogurt, is thick and creamy and works perfectly with this havuc tarator recipe. You can easily find it in most large supermarkets.
    • Walnuts - Walnuts add extra crunch and depth of flavor to this yogurt-based carrot dip. Simply roast them in the oven and roughly chop them before mixing them in.

    How to Make Havuç Tarator - Turkish Carrot Dip with Yogurt

    Making this creamy and slightly sweet Havuç Tarator - Turkish Carrot Dip with Yogurt is extremely easy. However, there are a few simple steps to follow for you to achieve the best results:

    Wash, peel, and grate fresh carrots right before using them in your recipe.

    freshly grated carrots

    Heat a pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the grated carrots and sauté them for about 10-15, minutes until they soften and release their natural sweetness. 

    sautéing grated carrots in a pan with olive oil

    Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Once done, remove them from the heat and let them cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine the sautéed carrots with yogurt, garlic, salt, and crushed walnuts. If you prefer a tangier taste, add a splash of lemon juice. Or add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a little heat.

    sautéed carrots, yogurt, crushed walnuts, and garlic are placed in a bowl

    Stir everything until well combined. For the best flavor, let the dip rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs or walnut halves before serving.

    Recipe Tips From the Chef

    • Use full-fat yogurt for a richer texture. Strained or thick Greek yogurt works best. If you have natural yogurt, strain it over a fine sieve or a cheesecloth for a couple of hours to get rid of excess water.
    • Choose the freshest carrots and grate them right before using them in your recipe. Pre-shredded carrots lack the same texture and flavor.
    • Let the dip chill before serving to enhance the flavors.
    • Adjust garlic to taste or saute them with carrots if you prefer a milder or stronger flavor.
    • If you prefer a tangier taste, add a splash of lemon juice. Or add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a little heat.

    How to Serve Havuç Tarator - Carrot Salad with Yogurt

    You can serve Carrot Tarator with warm Pita Bread, Air Fryer Pitas Chips, or Barbari Bread - Persian Flatbread or include it in a mezze platter alongside hummus and tzatziki.

    Use as a spread in wraps or sandwiches or pair it with Hashweh - Lebanese Ground Beef and Rice, or grilled meats such as Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofta and Adana Kebab, and Mediterranean Baked Salmon for a balanced meal.

    Recipe FAQs

    How to store the leftovers?

    Havuç Tarator stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to maintain its flavor and texture. Stir well before serving, as some separation may occur.

    Can I freeze Turkish carrot salad?

    I don't suggest freezing this yogurt-based dip as yogurt will separate when freezing and will change the texture of the dish.

    Related Recipes

    For more delicious yogurt-based dip recipes why not try:

    • Turkish Spinach Dip - Ispanak Borani
    • cacik is usually garnished with fresh mint and dill
      Cacik (Turkish Yogurt Dip)
    • Haydari (Turkish Yoghurt Dip)
    • Mutabal (Roasted Eggplant Dip)

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this delicious Havuç Tarator - Turkish Carrot Dip with Yogurt as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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    Havuç Tarator - Turkish Carrot Dip with Yogurt

    Ayla Clulee
    Havuç Tarator (or Carrot Tarator) is a traditional Turkish dip made with grated carrots, thick yogurt, and garlic.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Turkish
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 199 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 measuring spoons
    • 1 Measuring cups
    • 1 grater

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 400 g carrots (grated)
    • 50 ml olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic (turned into a paste)
    • 150 g thick strained yogurt or Greek yogurt
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 20 g crushed walnuts

    Instructions
     

    • Choose the freshest carrots and grate them right before using them in your recipe.
    • Heat a pan over medium heat and add olive oil.
    • Add the grated carrots and sauté them for about 10-15 until they soften and release their natural sweetness.
    • Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Once done, remove them from the heat and let them cool slightly.
    • In a mixing bowl, combine the sautéed carrots with yogurt, garlic paste, salt, and crushed walnuts. If you prefer a tangier taste, add a splash of lemon juice.
    • Stir everything until well combined. For the best flavor, let the dip rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
    • Garnish with fresh herbs or crushed walnut halves before serving.

    Notes

    • Use full-fat yogurt for a richer texture. Strained or thick Greek yogurt works best. If you have natural yogurt, strain it over a fine sieve or a cheesecloth for a couple of hours to get rid of excess water.
    • Choose the freshest carrots and grate them right before using them in your recipe. Pre-shredded carrots lack the same texture and flavor.
    • Let the dip chill before serving to enhance the flavors.
    • Adjust garlic to taste or saute them with carrots if you prefer a milder or stronger flavor.
    • If you prefer a tangier taste, add a splash of lemon juice. Or add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a little heat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 374mgPotassium: 398mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 16709IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marjorie

      April 06, 2025 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      This is my new favorite dip now, and very healthy too!

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        April 06, 2025 at 2:44 pm

        Happy to hear that! Always a win when something tasty is also healthy.

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

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