Are you on the hunt for delicious carrot salad recipes? Look no further! We’ve curated a list of our top 13 grated carrot salads that are sure to impress. While I often find myself reaching for lettuce-based salads, there’s something to be said about the humble carrot in its many forms. From fruit salads to potato salads, the definition of ‘salad’ can be quite broad.
According to Merriam-Webster, a salad is ‘a cold dish of various mixtures of raw or cooked vegetables, usually seasoned with oil, vinegar, or other dressing and sometimes accompanied by meat, fish, or other ingredients.’ With that in mind, let’s dive into the wonderful world of carrot salads! Some recipes call for grated carrots, while others opt for shredded strips. The difference is mainly a matter of texture, with grating producing finer pieces than shredding.
Of course, no two recipes are alike – some feature sweet additions like raisins or pineapple, while others rely on tangy elements like mayonnaise or yogurt. Without further ado, let’s embark on this culinary journey and explore 13 mouthwatering carrot salad recipes.
Pina Colada Carrot Salad
While I initially thought there were only a few carrot salad recipes out there, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that’s just the starting point. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility, as it can be prepared ahead of time and easily customized with a variety of flavors and textures. This particular recipe adds a tropical twist with pineapple and coconut yogurt, complemented by crunchy nuts, sweet golden raisins, and fresh green grapes.
The result is not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious.
Grated Carrot Salad
This vibrant carrot salad boasts an array of exciting add-ins that perfectly balance its light and refreshing texture. A honey vinaigrette dressing plays a crucial role, allowing the flavors to meld together as it chills. Grating the carrots is a breeze, whether you opt for a box grater or food processor. The resulting side dish is a delightful medley of red onion, parsley, cranberries, raisins, and nuts complementing the star attraction – the carrots.
To complete the recipe, you’ll need to incorporate some lemon juice into the dressing. What’s more, the accompanying ingredient and procedure photographs offer crystal-clear guidance throughout the process.
Sweet and Creamy Carrot Salad
This refreshing shredded carrot salad recipe doesn’t rely on mayo for its creamy texture. Instead, Greek yogurt and cream cheese (or regular cream cheese) combine to create a tangy base, complemented by the natural sweetness of rainbow-colored carrots and regular carrots alike. The addition of plump raisins, crunchy walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, and honey adds depth and complexity to this straightforward yet flavorful dish.
With minimal prep work required, simply mixing all the ingredients together yields a delightful salad that’s ready to be devoured.
Carrot Raisin Salad
The combination of crunchy carrots, sweet raisins, and creamy dressing is a match made in heaven. The sour cream-based dressing, infused with the brightness of lemon juice, the richness of mayo, and a hint of sugar, provides a delightful contrast to the natural sweetness of the pineapple tidbits. For those who appreciate the tanginess of sour cream, this recipe has the potential to become an obsession.
Carrot Apple Slaw
This sweet carrot slaw is the epitome of culinary indulgence! The harmonious union of carrots, apples, dried cranberries, and salty feta cheese is elevated by an incredible creamy dressing. The visual appeal is undeniable, with the matchstick-cut carrots, Honeycrisp apple, and Granny Smith apple combining to create a feast for the eyes.
Once the dressing is added along with the dried cranberries and feta cheese, this delightful salad can chill in the refrigerator for a bit before being served, allowing all the flavors to meld together in perfect harmony.
Carrot Salad Recipe with Raisins and Pecans
Grandma’s classic carrot salad is a family favorite that never fails to please. The secret to its enduring popularity lies not only in the simplicity of its ingredients but also in the versatility it offers. Grandma’s recipe, which features pecans as the primary nut component, can be easily adapted by substituting walnuts or almonds for those who prefer a different flavor profile.
Similarly, the sweetness provided by pineapple can be swapped out for mandarin oranges or apples to suit individual tastes. For those who are not fond of regular raisins, golden ones offer a delightful alternative. And, as an added twist, this recipe does include mayonnaise, a crucial element that Grandma insists is essential to its overall character.
Moroccan Carrot and Orange Salad
As we venture further into our collection of carrot salad recipes, a surprising twist awaits! This Moroccan-inspired recipe takes a bold turn with the addition of warm spices like cinnamon and cumin, along with fresh herbs like mint and cilantro. The combination of carrots and oranges is elevated by these aromatic flavors, while the dressing brings everything together with a harmonious blend of olive oil, orange juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
Carrot Apple Salad
As we delve deeper into the realm of sweet carrot salad recipes, subtle variations emerge that cater to individual tastes. This delectable rendition, while distinct from others, shares a common thread – its delightful harmony of flavors.
The medley of carrots, Granny Smith apples, raisins, creamy mayo and sour cream, sweetness courtesy of sugar, tanginess injected by apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper, all combine to create a symphony of textures and tastes that is sure to please.
Chick-Fil-A’s “Authentic” Carrot & Raisin Salad
In days gone by, Chick-Fil-A offered a mouthwatering shredded carrot salad as an optional side dish. Although it’s unclear if all locations still carry this item, those around me have discontinued its offering. As such, this recipe can be considered a ‘classic’ copycat recipe, having allegedly originated from the franchise itself. While the ingredients may seem familiar, it’s the precise proportions that yield a distinct flavor profile, making this recipe a standout.
A Classic Picnic Raisin Salad
In its most straightforward and uncomplicated form, this carrot salad with raisins recipe delivers a tried-and-true taste experience. No frills, no fuss – just a harmonious blend of carrots, pineapple, sweetened raisins, sugar, and creamy mayo. A fresh twist on the classic formula is the suggestion to rehydrate the raisins by soaking them in warm water before incorporating them into the salad. This simple yet effective technique adds an extra layer of depth and texture to the dish.
To further enhance the experience, a charming video accompanies this recipe, offering a visual guide to bring it all together.
Carrot Raisin Salad (No Mayo)
For a unique twist on the classic carrot salad, try incorporating rice wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pineapple juice into a dressing that will elevate the flavors of your dish. Simply combine these ingredients with cooked carrots, chunks of pineapple, and plump raisins, allowing the mixture to meld together in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
This step is crucial, as it allows the flavors to fully integrate and the taste to develop, resulting in a harmonious blend that’s sure to impress.
Old Fashioned Copper Pennies Marinated Carrot Salad
A vintage gem stands out on this list – an old-fashioned copper pennies carrot salad recipe that’s as unique as it is delicious. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Thinly sliced carrots are cooked until they’re just tender, then paired with rings of onion and bell pepper. The real magic happens when the mixture is bathed in a tangy marinade made from tomato soup, white vinegar, sugar, oil, Worcestershire sauce, and salt.
Allow it to simmer for a few hours or overnight to meld the flavors together. When serving, use a slotted spoon to portion out the salad, leaving the excess marinade behind. For those looking to mix things up, plenty of substitution options are available to tailor this recipe to your tastes.
Sesame Ginger Carrot Salad
The allure of Asian cuisine infuses our innovative carrot salad recipe, yielding a truly one-of-a-kind creation. A medley of ingredients like bell peppers, peanuts or cashews, cilantro, and scallions bring a symphony of flavors to the dish. Meanwhile, the dressing is crafted from an expert blend of oil, soy sauce or Tamari, lime juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
Finishing with a sprinkle of sesame seeds takes this carrot salad to new heights, sure to impress family and friends alike.
The Bottom Line
Making a delicious carrot salad is a breeze, and if you’re short on time or not feeling the shred, don’t worry – store-bought pre-shredded carrots are more than acceptable. Your secret’s safe with me! The dressing might not penetrate as deeply, but it’s unlikely anyone will notice, too busy asking for the recipe. With 13 tasty grated carrot salads to choose from, we’ve got you covered for a quick and easy meal.
