Shredded carrot salad is more than just a side—it’s a crunchy, sweet, and tangy dish that steals the show! Imagine crisp shredded carrots, plump raisins, and a zesty dressing coming together in a simple yet irresistible recipe. This carrot raisin salad is both nutritious and packed with flavor.
This raw carrot salad is a classic dish that has stood the test of time, offering both refreshing crunch and natural sweetness in every bite. Unlike heavy, mayo-based salads, this shredded carrot salad keeps things light while still being full of flavor. The carrots provide a fresh, crisp texture, while the raisins add a chewy sweetness that balances the tangy dressing.
Another reason to love this salad? It’s incredibly versatile! You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. Want it naturally sweetened? Swap sugar for maple syrup or another sweetener of choice. Need a little crunch? Toss in nuts like almonds, pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds. For extra fruitiness, try adding pineapple chunks, golden raisins, or diced apples for a refreshing twist. No matter how you make it, this raw carrot salad is a must-have for any table.
Why We Love This Raw Carrot Salad Recipe
- Healthy Easter side dish.
This easy salad recipe is ideal for picnics, outdoor events, and holiday gatherings. You can also bring carrot pie to your Easter party. - Have extra carrots? No problem!
This carrot salad with raisins is the perfect side for when you have an abundance of carrots. Shred them up and toss together this tasty salad. - Kids love it!
With the crunchy carrots and sweet raisins, kids love this dish as an after-school snack or mid-day side with their meal.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Carrots: you can how to shred carrots or buy pre-shredded carrots from the store.
- Raisins: use craisins or dried cherries instead of raisins or leave them out altogether. Sprouts and Trader Joe’s have a great selection of dried fruit.
- Olive oil: avocado oil is a great substitute for olive oil.
- Champagne vinegar: if you can’t find champagne vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar.
- Honey: this is a great way to sweeten the carrots.
- Dijon mustard: a little mustard makes this salad tangy.
- Thyme: fresh thyme is preferred, but you can use dried thyme as well.
Recipe Variations
- Tropical twist: Add pineapple chunks for extra sweetness and a hint of tropical flavor.
- Nutty crunch: Toss in almonds, walnuts, or pecans for a crunchy contrast.
- Apple infusion: Mix in diced apples for a fresh, juicy bite.
- Golden touch: Use golden raisins instead of traditional raisins for a different depth of sweetness.
- Savory balance: Swap the traditional dressing for a spiced maple syrup vinaigrette to bring out the flavors.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Warming honey in the microwave for 10-15 seconds (or using a hot water bath) allows it to combine with the other ingredients for a smooth, perfectly emulsified dressing.
How to Make Shredded Carrot Salad
- Allow the carrots time to marinate.
Add the carrots, raisins, salt, and sugar to a large bowl and mix.
Allow this to sit while you prepare the dressing so the flavors combine.
- Combine the dressing ingredients thoroughly.
To properly make the dressing, whisk or shake the ingredients thoroughly in a glass jar or measuring cup.
This (and the mustard) helps combine the oil and vinegar so they don’t separate.
- Pour the dressing and let it sit for the best flavor.
After pouring the dressing over the salad, allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to properly meld together.
Serving Suggestions
This carrot raisin salad is the perfect addition to a variety of savory dishes, adding a fresh, crunchy contrast to your meal. For a spicy kick, serve it alongside spicy meatballs, which balance out the sweetness of the carrots. If you’re looking for a milder pairing, white beans offer a creamy and neutral complement.
For a heartier meal, this salad goes well with turkey burgers as a refreshing side. It also complements corned beef Dutch oven dishes, adding a crisp contrast to rich and tender meat. Want to keep things balanced? Try it with stuffed chicken breast or our cast iron chicken breasts recipe for a well-rounded, flavorful meal. Whether you’re serving it at potlucks or family dinners, this salad is always a hit! For an extra twist, swap the traditional dressing for Greek yogurt, and add warming spices to enhance the flavors.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, definitely! To make it ahead, store the salad and dressing separately. Cover and keep them refrigerated for up to 2 days.
We love using the shredding attachment on the food processor to quickly shred any vegetable, including carrots. If you don’t have this option, a box grater is the next best option.
No, this healthy carrot salad has no mayo. Instead, it uses oil, vinegar, and Dijon mustard to make a zesty dressing. Be sure to shake it vigorously until it’s fully emulsified.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To keep the salad fresh and crisp, keep the dressing and carrots separate.
Yes! While freshly grated carrots provide the best texture and moisture, pre-shredded carrots work as a time-saving alternative.
More Salad Recipes To Love…
If you tried this shredded carrot salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Carrot Raisin Salad
Equipment
- large bowl
- medium jar with screw on lid
Ingredients
- 4 cups carrots shredded
- ¾ cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup olive oil (or avocado oil)
- ¼ cup champagne vinegar (can substitute with white wine vinegar)
- ¼ cup honey warmed
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ lemon zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Add the shredded carrots and raisins to a large bowl, sprinkle with salt and stir. Set aside while you prepare the dressing.
- Using a medium sized jar, add the olive oil, champagne vinegar, warmed honey, dijon mustard, and lemon juice and zest. Screw on the lid and shake until the dressing has emulsified.
- Drizzle dressing over salad, stirring until well combined. Sprinkle with thyme before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Kimberly says
This sounds terrific! I had a similar salad years ago but I don’t think it included Dijon mustard and I think that’s a great addition. Can’t wait to try this!
Kristine says
Loved this salad! So crunchy and light, and the dressing is the perfect addition. Great recipe!
veenaazmanov says
This looks like a healthy salad and the dressing to it is delicious. Best for any meal or a quick snack option too. Thanks for the ideas to enjoying this carrot Bowl.
MacKenzie says
I made this tonight. The combination of flavors is perfect.
Holly says
My mom used to make this when I was a kid. I haven’t thought about it in years. I got so excited when I came across your recipe and I knew I had to make it. SO GOOD and simple to make. Reminds me of my childhood and my mom. Thanks for sharing 🙂