Transfer over leafy inexperienced salads—this shredded carrot salad is a must-try. Carrots are tossed with a easy lemon dressing, together with recent herbs, chewy raisins, and crunchy pecans. It’s good for a vacation facet dish, but additionally straightforward sufficient for an on a regular basis lunch or dinner.
I not too long ago revisited this recipe as a result of shaved carrot salads are having a viral second. Individuals are utilizing their veggie peelers to make carrot “ribbons” for a salad base. Whereas it is a enjoyable concept, the mouthfeel isn’t almost as satisfying as merely shredding the carrots, in order that’s what I like to recommend right here.
You may put together this salad as much as 24 hours prematurely, so it’s a time-saver when you plan to arrange a big vacation meal. It’s additionally good in your meal prep routine when you’d like so as to add your favourite protein on high.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Evaluate
“Wonderful. Wished a recent facet for Thanksgiving and located this recipe. Good. Wouldn’t change one factor besides frivolously toasting the pecans earlier than including. Thanks Megan.” – L


Uncooked Carrot Salad Elements
- Carrots. I like to recommend shredding your personal carrots in a meals processor or field grater for the very best texture. Retailer-bought shredded carrots are typically thicker and harder to chew into. Begin with 1.25 kilos of entire carrots to yield 1 pound of shredded carrots, because you’ll lose some throughout peeling.
- Inexperienced Onion. This provides a gentle onion taste, plus a pop of inexperienced shade.
- Cilantro. This recent herb provides one other layer of taste and shade, however you can too use flat-leaf parsley when you choose.
- Lemon Juice. Contemporary lemon juice is the bottom of this dressing, including a tangy taste that isn’t as sharp as vinegar.
- Mustard. This helps emulsify the dressing so it sticks to the carrots whereas including an additional punch of taste. I like spicy brown mustard, however Dijon mustard will work as nicely.
- Honey. This sweetener helps stability the dressing’s acidity.
- Raisins and Pecans. These ultimate toppings add a candy, chewy texture and the proper quantity of crunch.


The right way to Make Carrot Salad
Step 1:
In a big bowl, add the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper. Stir nicely to mix.
To organize the carrots, peel them and shred them on the biggest holes of a field grater. (Or use a meals processor with a shredded blade, when you choose.) Chop the cilantro and inexperienced onion so they’re prepared, too.


Step 2:
Add the shredded carrots to the dressing within the bowl and stir nicely. Then add the chopped inexperienced onion, cilantro, raisins, and pecans. Stir once more after which switch the bowl to the fridge so the salad can marinate for not less than half-hour.
Letting the salad relaxation helps increase the general taste. You may let this marinate for as much as 24 hours, when you like, however in that case I’d wait so as to add the pecans till shortly earlier than serving. (That manner they gained’t develop into too comfortable.)


Serving Suggestions
Whenever you’re able to serve this carrot salad, take away it from the fridge and stir nicely. Style it proper earlier than serving, as the flavour can mellow barely when chilled. You may add an additional squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of salt to assist increase the general taste.
If you wish to make this salad forward of time, I believe it’s finest served inside 24 hours. (However I’ve additionally loved the leftovers as much as 3 days after making it.) For the crunchiest texture, wait so as to add the pecans till shortly earlier than serving when you plan on conserving this within the fridge in a single day.
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey (or maple syrup)
- advantageous sea salt and black pepper
- 1 pound carrots (see notes)
- 2 inexperienced onions , chopped (mild inexperienced and white components)
- 1 massive handful recent cilantro , chopped
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup pecans , roughly chopped
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In a big bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, and a ¼ teaspoon every of salt and floor black pepper. Stir nicely.
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Peel the carrots, then use the biggest holes in your field grater to shred them. I normally must shred about 5 massive carrots to get 1 pound. (I measure them after shredding; you might want 1.25 kilos to get 1 pound shredded.) Add the carrots to the bowl of dressing and stir nicely.
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Subsequent, add the inexperienced onions, cilantro, raisins, and pecans. Stir nicely, then refrigerate the bowl and let the salad marinate for not less than half-hour earlier than serving. The dressing will soak into the carrots, making the salad extra flavorful.
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Earlier than serving, stir the salad once more, then style and make any crucial changes. You may add an additional squeeze of lemon juice for a brighter taste, or one other pinch of salt to spice up the general style. (Or add honey for a sweeter taste.) Leftovers may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
Vegan Be aware: Make this recipe vegan by swapping maple syrup or agave for the honey.
Replace Be aware: This recipe was up to date in 2025 to make use of cilantro because the recent herb, changing parsley. This was as a result of reader suggestions, however you probably have recent Italian parsley available, that may work right here, too.
Energy: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 11g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 7g | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 398mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 12720IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
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In the event you do this recipe, please depart a remark and star score beneath to let me understand how you prefer it.


