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    Home » Salads

    Carrot Raisin Salad

    Published: Aug 1, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Carrot raisin salad is a classic. We make a creamy old-fashioned one, grandma's style, with shredded carrots, raisins, and mayo, and a modern one with orange juice, raisins, and without mayo.

    Both recipes are delicious crowd pleasers and easy to make in less than 15 minutes with simple ingredients. Which one is more for you?

    carrot raisin salad
    Grandma's carrot and raisin salad.
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • More Carrot Recipes
    • More Salad Recipes
    • Recipe

    Check out our best vegan salad recipe collection!

    Shredded carrots and raisins are a match made in heaven. We love this combination so much that we had to make two different carrot raisin salad recipes.

    The first one, a classic, is grandma's carrot raisin salad recipe. We make it with mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, and raisins; everyone loves it!

    We lighten it a little by using half yogurt (Greek or plant-based) and half vegan mayo. It's creamy, wet, sweet, and delicious!

    The second is a modern, Moroccan-inspired, healthy carrot and raisin salad recipe without mayo. This version is for world travelers curious to try new flavor combinations.

    We make it with shredded carrots, raisins, orange juice, olive oil, walnuts, cumin, and parsley. The crunchy carrots and the cumin aroma is a sensory experience that will transport you into a different world.

    Both recipes are delicious and crowd winners. Bring them to potlucks and picnics, serve them as a side dish, or make them as part of a brunch for your favorite peeps.

    And, of course, let us know which carrot salad recipe you decide to make!

    carrot raisin salad with orange
    Modern carrot raisin salad with orange juice, walnuts, and parsley.

    Ingredients

    Grandma's carrot raisin salad

    ingredients for grandma's carrot raisin salad

    Carrots

    Get whole carrots and grate them with the large holes of a box grater. We recommend against using pre-grated carrots. They tend to be dry and won't make the best, juiciest carrot raisin salad.

    Raisins

    You can use regular brown raisins, golden raisins, or a mix of the two.

    Mayonnaise

    This recipe uses our homemade vegan mayo, but feel free to use your favorite mayonnaise.

    Yogurt

    We cut the mayo with yogurt - plant-based or greek yogurt - to lighten up this recipe.

    You can substitute more mayonnaise for the yogurt if you want the old-fashioned carrot raisin salad.

    Sugar

    Any sugar works, white, brown, maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup.

    Lemon Juice

    Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds acidity and boosts the other flavors. You can substitute apple cider vinegar for lemon juice.

    Salt and Pepper

    Those are optional; however, we think that a pinch of salt and a twist of black pepper enhance the flavor of the other ingredients.

    Other Ingredients

    Other ingredients that go well in this salad are crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits, a couple of tablespoons of pineapple juice, sliced apples, toasted slivered almonds or other crushed nuts, and sunflower seeds.

    Modern carrot raisin salad

    Ingredients for carrot raisins salad

    Carrots

    We recommend getting whole carrots and grating them or shredding them at home. Store-bought grated carrots tend to be dry and less suitable for this recipe.

    To grate or shred your carrots, you can use a box grater, a food processor, or an electric salad shredder with a fine grating cone attachment.

    Raisins

    You can use regular brown raisins, golden raisins, sultanas, or a mix. If your raisins are very dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad.

    Walnuts

    Chopped walnuts add crunch and a delicious nutty flavor. Together with the raisins and the carrots, they remind us of a delicious carrot cake.

    Mustard and Orange Dressing

    • Dijon Mustard: to emulsify the dressing and add a tangy and mildly spicy taste.
    • Shallots: you can substitute red onions or green onions for the shallots. Shallots add a mild tangy taste.
    • Orange Juice: freshly squeezed orange juice adds sweetness and a slight acidity that is perfect for this recipe. However, feel free to substitute lemon juice for orange juice for a tangier, more refreshing carrot raisin salad.
    • Olive oil: we like to use extra virgin olive oil, but regular olive oil works too.
    • Salt and Pepper: kosher salt or sea salt adds plenty of flavors; freshly ground black pepper adds a pleasant spicy aroma.
    • Cumin: ground cumin is the star spice of this recipe, and we adore it in this carrot raisin salad recipe. Try to add it in. If you don't have it, you can leave it out, although you'll miss its fragrance and aroma.
    • Parsley: flat-leaf parsley adds color and freshness. It fits the other ingredients perfectly.

    Instructions

    Grandma's carrot raisin salad

    Peel the carrots and grate them with the large holes of a box grater. Transfer to a large bowl.

    grated carrots

    Add mayo, yogurt, raisin, sugar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

    adding all ingredients for grandma's carrot raisin salad

    Mix well with a spoon for a couple of minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mayo fully incorporates the other ingredients.

    The carrots should be slightly wet and not dry at all. The dressing should be visible on the salad. Add more mayo, yogurt, or juice if the carrots are too dry.

    creamy carrot raisin salad

    Serve as a starter or as a side dish with your favorite main.

    carrot raisin salad with mayo

    Modern carrot raisin salad

    Peel the carrots with a vegetable peeler and shred them with a food processor or an electric salad shredder. Transfer shredded carrots to a bowl.

    You can use a box grater if you don't have those appliances.

    shredded carrots

    Add the ingredients for the dressing to a small jar: mustard, finely chopped shallots, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, cumin, and chopped parsley.

    Shake well until emulsified.

    Tip: Whisk the ingredients in a bowl if you don't have a jar.

    orange dressing

    Pour the dressing over the shredded carrots, add crushed walnuts and raisins, and toss.

    Let the flavor meld in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving.

    carrot raisin salad with orange

    Serving Suggestions

    We recommend serving carrot raisin salad as part of a larger salad buffet for a special brunch on the weekend or for a family dinner.

    It goes well with crusty bread, together with:

    • Green beans salad
    • Red cabbage slaw
    • Grilled zucchini and grilled eggplant
    • Avocado spread
    • Baba ganoush
    • Chickpea hummus

    Variations

    Carrot raisin chickpea salad

    carrot raisin salad with chickpeas and almonds

    Our favorite variation is one where we add canned chickpeas and toasted shaved almonds to our modern carrot raisin salad recipe.

    The chickpeas turn this salad from a side dish to light and fulfilling lunch or healthy dinner.

    Carrot raisin apple salad

    carrot salad with apples

    Sliced apples add a tart, sweet, and acidic taste to the carrot salad, making it extra fresh and crunchy. We think this is a winner variation and often make it instead of the basic recipe.

    You can easily substitute pineapple for the apple, making the salad sweeter and almost dessert-like.

    Storage

    Store our carrot raisin salads in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 36 hours. We don't recommend freezing this recipe.

    More Carrot Recipes

    These are our favorite carrots recipe; we hope you like them as much as we do.

    • Moroccan Carrot Salad
    • Carrot Salad
    • Carrot Ginger Dressing
    • Vegan Carrot Cake

    More Salad Recipes

    Our salads are packed with taste, colors, and nutrition. They are all delicious and easy to make, with simple everyday ingredients.

    • Green Bean Salad
    • Avocado Salad
    • Cucumber Tomato Salad
    • Tomato Salad
    • Side Salad
    • Italian Salad
    • Eggplant Salad
    • Zucchini Salad

    More salad recipes ->

    Recipe

    Carrot raisin salad

    Carrot Raisin Salad

    Author: Nico
    Carrot raisin salad is a classic. We make a creamy old-fashioned one, grandma's style, with shredded carrots, raisins, and mayo, and a modern one with orange juice, raisins, and without mayo.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Course salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5 people
    Calories 152 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    GRANDMA'S CARROT RAISIN SALAD

    • 1 pound carrots (4 cups grated)
    • ½ to 1 cup raisins
    • 2 tablespoons mayo or vegan mayo
    • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 2 twists black pepper

    MODERN CARROT RAISIN SALAD

    • 1 pound carrots (4 cups grated)
    • ¼ cup raisins
    • ⅓ cup walnuts crushed or chopped

    Mustard and Orange Dressing

    • 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • 1 shallot chopped
    • ¼ cup orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ¼ cup parsley finely chopped
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoons maple syrup optional

    Instructions
     

    GRANDMA'S CARROT RAISIN SALAD

    • Peel the carrots and grate them with the large holes of a box grater. Transfer to a large bowl.
      grated carrots
    • Add mayo, yogurt, raisin, sugar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
      adding all ingredients for grandma's carrot raisin salad
    • Mix well with a spoon for a couple of minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mayo fully incorporates the other ingredients.
      The carrots should be slightly wet and not dry at all. The dressing should be visible on the salad. Add more mayo, yogurt, or juice if the carrots are too dry.
      creamy carrot raisin salad
    • Serve as a starter or as a side dish with your favorite main.
      carrot raisin salad with mayo

    MODERN CARROT RAISIN SALAD

    • Peel the carrots with a vegetable peeler and shred them with a food processor or an electric salad shredder. Transfer shredded carrots to a bowl.
      You can use a box grater if you don't have those appliances.
      shredded carrots
    • Add the ingredients for the dressing to a small jar: mustard, finely chopped shallots, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, cumin, and chopped parsley.
      Shake well until emulsified.
      Tip: Whisk the ingredients in a bowl if you don't have a jar.
      orange dressing
    • Pour the dressing over the shredded carrots, add crushed walnuts and raisins, and toss.
      Let the flavor meld in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving.
      carrot raisin salad with orange

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 portion of grandma's carrot raisin salad out of 5.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Carrot Raisin Salad
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 152 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 0.01g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 3mg1%
    Potassium 448mg13%
    Carbohydrates 27g9%
    Dietary Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 11g12%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 16044IU321%
    Vitamin B6 0.2mg10%
    Vitamin C 9mg11%
    Vitamin E 1mg7%
    Vitamin K 23µg22%
    Calcium 45mg5%
    Folate 21µg5%
    Iron 1mg6%
    Manganese 0.2mg10%
    Magnesium 18mg5%
    Zinc 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked this recipe, you might also like:

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico and Louise, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

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