Grandma’s Carrot Salad with Raisins recipe is a popular side dish that everyone loves! This easy recipe is perfect for picnics, holidays, or anytime you have an abundance of carrots.
Carrot Salad
If you used to love Chick-fil-A’s carrot raisin salad, this is the copycat recipe for you. This is by far one of my favorite easy salads. People always ask for seconds when I make it, and it’s a delicious way to get some extra veggies into a meal.
I love that this salad doesn’t use many ingredients. Plus, they’re all pantry-friendly staples, and you most likely have all the ingredients at home already.
How Do You Shred Carrots For Carrot Salad?
The easiest and most accessible way to shred carrots for a carrot salad is with a box grater. A food processor is even easier, but I find that it’s harder to get the perfect medium length shreds when using a food processor.
You can also cut the carrots into julienned carrot strips. If you want to julienne your carrots, here’s a video tutorial showing you how.
What Is The Difference Between Grated And Shredded Carrots?
Shredding makes strips, which is what you want for carrot salad. Grated carrots are much smaller pieces than shredded carrots, almost like a powder.
Can I Shave My Carrots Into Ribbons?
I’d recommend staying clear of ribbons, because shredded carrots are more authentic to this dish. Carrot ribbons are gorgeous, but they’re a lot harder to eat – especially in a setting where people are standing around holding their plates at a BBQ.
How Do You Keep Shredded Carrots From Turning Brown?
The best way to prevent your carrots from turning brown is to store them in an airtight container to reduce exposure to air.
Carrot Salad Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need: mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, carrots, and raisins.
How To Make Carrot Salad
Start by mixing together the dressing ingredients, then pour the dressing over the grated carrots and raisins. Mix it all together, and serve. See the recipe card below for the full instructions, including ingredient amounts and helpful tips, etc.
Can I Use Something Other Than Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is my favorite acid to use in carrot salad, but you’re welcome to try swapping it for another one (like white wine vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice) if you’d like.
Does This Recipe Use Mayo?
Yes, this recipe calls for a 1/4 cup of mayonnaise. You could easily make this a vegan recipe simply by swapping the mayo for vegan mayo and using maple syrup instead of honey.
Can I Make It With No Mayo?
If you don’t want to use mayonnaise, you can try using refined coconut oil, olive oil (not EVOO), or a neutral tasting oil of your choice. It won’t be the same flavor or texture as mayonnaise, but if you don’t have any mayo or don’t like it, it’s definitely worth trying!
What Goes With Raw Carrots?
Carrots can lend themselves to either savory or sweet dishes. Since they’re so versatile, they can be used in everything from cake to veggie platters with spicy ranch dressing.
Since this recipe is lightly sweet, it pairs really well with raisins. The apple cider vinegar and pepper both balance out the sweetness here.
Optional Adaptations
This is one of those perfected recipes that is hard to mess up. Try topping this delicious salad with a sprinkling of sunflower seeds, feta, or mint leaves. If you want a totally different flavor profile, you can play with trying some of these other ingredient ideas:
- Garlic
- Edamame
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Nuts (Walnuts, Almonds, Peanuts)
- Apple
- Broccoli
- Celery
- Pineapple
- Cinnamon
- Yogurt Dressing
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
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Grandma's Carrot Salad Recipe
Grandma’s Carrot Salad with Raisins recipe is a popular side dish that everyone loves! This easy recipe is perfect for picnics, holidays, or anytime you have an abundance of carrots.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Pinch fine sea salt
- Pinch ground black pepper
- 4 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup raisins (I use a mixture of regular and golden raisins)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Add the carrots and raisins. Stir to mix until the carrots are evenly coated.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 264Total Fat: 10.7gCarbohydrates: 43.8gNet Carbohydrates: 39gFiber: 4.8gSugar: 33.3gProtein: 2.4g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
The next time you’re looking for a delicious vegetable side dish recipe, try making this tasty carrot salad with raisins!
9 thoughts on “Carrot Salad Recipe”
Easy and delicious. Had all ingredients on hand. It’s a 10 !!👍
Hi Angie, So happy to hear you enjoyed the carrot salad! Thanks for the feedback. -Alexa
I make a similar carrot salad, but I also add chopped apple. Sometimes I use dried cranberries instead of raisins. I may also add chopped walnuts. Got the recipe from an old Polish friend. She was old enough to be my grandmother.
Your version sounds delicious, Kathy! Thanks for sharing. -Alexa
Alexa..can this delicious salad be made a couple days ahead? And, if so, how do you suggest I do it?
Hi Donna, Carrot salad can be made up to 3 or 4 days in advance, but there’s a good chance that it will become a bit watery after a day or two (from the salt drawing water out of the carrots). You could try waiting to add the salt until just before serving. I hope that helps! -Alexa
It is a bit bland, compared to others I have tried. Not poor, just not sweet enough. I recommend adding sugar or Splenda.
Really good. Made it last week. And right now I’m making it again:)
Loved this salad. I substituted Mike’s Hot Honey for honey and the flavor was delicious.