You are going to love this delectable Carrot Salad made in just a few minutes with seven easy ingredients. It is a carrot lover’s dream come true and a pleasant change from the usual fare with just the right amount of sweetness from raisins and pineapple. This yummy side dish is perfect with chicken, beef, pork, and even fish. With the help of a food processor, this dish can be on the table in less than fifteen minutes.
My family and friends love to rant and rave about this salad. I like to serve it with Ham Steak with Honey Mustard Glaze or Grilled Pork Tenderloin. However, the main courses that it pairs well with are endless.
Why this recipe works!
- This carrot raisin salad is full of only all-natural, wholesome ingredients, including honey, instead of refined sugar.
- The recipe is darn tooting easy. I mean to the point of I can do this with my hands tied behind my back, well maybe! It is great for potlucks, picnics, and holidays.
- It tastes so darn good. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well these ingredients go together.
- The ingredient list is short, with no special, hard-to-find, or costly ingredients.
How to make grated Carrot Salad
Start by chopping your carrots in a food processor with a mandoline or a box grater. Then whisk together the mayo, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in the shredded carrots, pineapple, and raisins and toss to coat. Refrigerate for about 1 hour before serving.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- I like to use fresh pineapple with this recipe, but you can substitute canned pineapple tidbits or even crushed pineapple. If you don’t like pineapple, try apples.
- Are you watching your sugar? Simply omit the honey. It will still be delicious as pineapple, and raisins are naturally sweet.
- Cut off the ends and peel the carrots before shredding them. It will give this carrot raisin salad a bright gorgeous orange color.
- Feeling a little sassy! Add 1/2 shredded coconut and 1/2 chopped pecans or sunflower seeds.
- Not into mayo dressing? Try swapping it out for a honey Dijon mustard vinaigrette made with olive oil or Greek yogurt. Or try fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or coriander.
- Dried cranberries can be substituted for raisins.
- Add nuts for a little extra crunch. Try chopped almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and pecans.
- For best results, chill before serving so all the flavors meld together.
- This dish can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Three ways to shred carrots for salad
- Food processor – be sure to trim both ends, and for best results, peel the carrots. Cut carrots into 3 – 3 1/2 inch sections, and using your shredding blade, send them through the safety shute pulsing to shred them. This will produce a fairly finely chopped carrot.
- Mandoline – be sure to trim both ends, and for best results, peel the carrots. Cut the carrots in half, especially if they have a bend in them. Use the mandoline blade that produces small matchstick cuts. This cut produces more crunch, and I think a much prettier presentation for company and perhaps a better overall texture.
- Box grater – be sure to trim both ends, and for best results, peel the carrots. Leave the carrots whole and use the large holes on the box cutter. This produces a very similar shred to the food processor, with less cleanup but with more elbow grease.
Other carrot recipes to try!
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Easy Carrot Salad Recipe
This fresh and flavorful Carrot Salad is lightly sweetened with all-natural honey and freckled with plump raisins and crisp pineapple. It goes with so many main courses, but it is particularly delicious with ribs and pork steaks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: side, salad
- Method: food processor
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
- 1 lb. carrots peeled and shredded
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup pineapple tidbits (preferably fresh)
- 1 cup raisins
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, and lemon juice. Gently stir in carrots, pineapple, and raisins. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill for 45-60 minutes before serving.
Notes
- I like to use fresh pineapple with this recipe, but you can substitute canned pineapple tidbits or even crushed pineapple. If you don’t like pineapple, try apples.
- Are you watching your sugar? Simply omit the honey. It will still be delicious as pineapple, and raisins are naturally sweet.
- Cut off the ends and peel the carrots before shredding them. It will give this carrot raisin salad a bright gorgeous orange color.
- Feeling a little sassy! Add 1/2 shredded coconut and 1/2 chopped pecans or sunflower seeds.
- Not into mayo dressing? Try swapping it out for a honey Dijon mustard vinaigrette made with olive oil or Greek yogurt. Or try fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or coriander.
- Dried cranberries can be substituted for raisins.
- Add nuts for a little extra crunch. Try chopped almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and pecans.
- For best results, chill before serving so all the flavors meld together.
- This dish can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: carrot raisin salad, how to make carrot salad, fresh carrot salad
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Krystle
I grew up eating this. Your recipe tastes just as good as I remember it.
★★★★★
Claudia
What a great healthy side dish and even the kids will love this one! MAking this tomorrow!
★★★★★
Dannii
I love a carrot salad, but I have never tried it with raisins in it. Great idea!
★★★★★
Caroline
Love how east carrot salads are. I haven’t tried with pineapple so will have to give that a go next time.
★★★★★
Jacqueline
This is my new favourite spring salad. Subbed out the honey for maple syrup and used vegan mayo and it was delicious. Great idea for using carrots and the pineapple was amazing. And I sprinkled over some sunflower seeds as you suggested Thanks!
★★★★★
Jessie
This salad is going to be a great addition to summer cookouts!!
★★★★★
Anna
What a delicious salad idea! I love the creamy dressing!
★★★★★
Betsy
Delicious salad! I tried it with the sunflower seeds. I used salted & roasted seeds and I absolutely adored the sweet & salty combo that then occurred. I’m thinking about trying it with salted pumpkin seeds, too, think that will be good?
★★★★★
Matt
Gotta love a good carrot salad. This one reminds me of the one my mom used to make. Can’t wait to try this!
★★★★★
Kristyn
I had no idea how tasty this is!! I would have never thought to add pineapples with carrots & raisins, but it’s a delicious combination. The dressing brings all the flavors together!
★★★★★
Natalie
I wasn’t sure how my kids would like this, but they actually really liked it & one even asked for seconds! My favorite is the sweetness from the pineapple. The flavors go great together!
★★★★★
Valentina
Such an EASY carrot salad recipe! Thank you for the recipe.
★★★★★
Corrie
My mother-in-law made a carrot salad years ago, she called it a “Sunshine Salad”.Her’s was pain, grated carrots, raisins, and some mayonnaise before serving. It has always been a favorite of mine.
Lovely to see that you also have a recipe for this.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Corrie! I hope you give it a try!!
Jen
I’m glad your friends rave about this, but hope they DONT rant! Lol. I like the texture of matchstick over shredded. I leave out the raisins. You can make it more salad-like by adding celery, cucumbers, green pepper, parsley, other herbs.
Sara
Gave this a try with dinner last night and it didn’t disappoint! Even my picky eaters gobbled this up!
★★★★★
Catalina
This carrot salad can be an amazing side dish for my holiday table! Love it!
★★★★★
Toni
I loved it!! Everyone at my house enjoyed this salad!
★★★★★
Erin
This Carrot Salad is seriously making me hungry!
★★★★★
Kimberly
I remember my mom used to make this when we were growing up, it’s yummy!
Amanda
This is a fantastic combination, everyone loved every bite!
★★★★★
Taylor Kiser
This side dish will be a perfect addition to the holiday menu! I love how easy it is to make…so fresh and delicious too!
★★★★★
Heidy M
I made this Carrot Salad for a luncheon and everyone loved it. The textures and flavors were spot on. I will be passing along your recipe link to a few friends. Super excited to see your next creation!
Have a great day
★★★★★
Jacqueline
Oh that looks so tasty. I’d never have thought of adding pineapple. Nice idea!
★★★★★
Jenn
I’m a carrot salad fan but have only ever tried it with raisins. I bet the pineapple gives it even more flavor! I can’t wait to make this salad – I bet it’s delish!
★★★★★
Angela
One of my favorite dishes! I love how easy this is to make. The sweetness of the pineapple and raisins make this dish extra special. YUM!
★★★★★