Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe
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Carrot raisin salad is cold, creamy, and crunchy perfection! Made with tender-crisp shredded carrots, juicy raisins, and a sweet and tangy dressing in 10 minutes or less, it will surely become your holy grail of side dishes for future parties. Make it with me and get ready to become obsessed!
I attend quite a number of bbqs and potlucks every year. Although my other BBQ go-tos like garlic mashed potatoes and homemade salsa have always been crowd favorites, I wanted to add a new dish to the rotation. Enter carrot raisin salad, a childhood favorite of mine. I’m so glad that now I get to share it with my kids and to everyone else!
This easy-to-make side dish is both vibrant and refreshing, and I just love how the raisins get deliciously plump and juicy after soaking in the dressing. I remember my grandma put canned pineapple chunks in her version, but my mom never did so I’m keeping the recipe simple in her memory. Enjoy it as a snack, as a starter or side for family meals, or share it with a crowd at gatherings. It’s a winner wherever you serve it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No-cook side dish: Just mix in one bowl, chill, and serve. No heating or cooking required!
- Minimal ingredients: All you need are carrots, raisins, mayonnaise, and seasonings to make this crowd favorite.
- Party-perfect: A bright, flavorful dish that pairs well with almost anything. Its delicious flavor and crunchy texture make it a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Versatile: Perfect for picnics, potlucks, barbecues, or as a fresh side for your favorite main course.
- Customizable: Add your choice of mix-ins to make this salad uniquely yours.
- Make-ahead friendly: The recipe gets better the longer it sits so it’s ideal for making ahead. Great for meal prep or entertaining!
How to Make Carrot Raisin Salad
Your hunt for the perfect side dish is over. This carrot raisin salad checks all the boxes – quick and easy to make, affordable, feeds a crowd, and most importantly, insanely good! 10 minutes is all you need to make it. Just add the carrots and raisins to a bowl, make the dressing with the remaining ingredients, mix, and serve. I recommend chilling the salad before serving for best results.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Carrots: Shredded for the perfect dose of crunch and natural sweetness. Buy fresh carrots and shred them yourself for the best results. Store-bought pre-shredded carrots work in a pinch, but the texture won’t be the same and they won’t soak up the dressing as good. Have extra carrots? Turn them into honey-glazed carrots, another delicious side!
- Raisins: I love the bursts of sweetness in the salad from the raisins! Regular raisins work best. You can also use golden raisins if that’s what you have.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the dressing. I use Hellman’s or Duke’s mayonnaise but feel free to use your favorite brand. You can also make homemade mayonnaise by blending egg yolks and a neutral-tasting oil.
- Sugar
- Lemon juice: Brightens the dish and to offset the heaviness of the mayo.
- Salt
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to wow your taste buds with the sweet and tangy goodness of carrot raisin salad? Make this filling yet refreshing side in 3 simple steps in just 10 minutes. Leave it to chill in the fridge while you work on other dishes – super convenient when you’re hosting a party!
Step 1: Combine carrots and raisins
Mix the carrots and raisins in a large bowl.
Step 2: Make the dressing
Whisk the remaining ingredients together to form a smooth dressing. Pour over the carrot mixture and toss until evenly coated.
Step 3: Chill
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Substitutions
The good news is that you probably have most of the ingredients for carrot raisin salad in your kitchen. But if you’re missing something or want to switch it up, I’ve got some great alternatives for you!
- Carrots: Swap orange carrots for rainbow carrots for a colorful dish. No substitutions for carrots in this recipe, though! But you can try this recipe with shredded zucchini, jicama, or broccoli slaw for a different texture.
- Raisins: Substitute with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or dried apricots for a slightly different flavor. You can also use plum raisins – just soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes before using to make them softer, juicier, and more flavorful.
- Mayonnaise: Use Greek yogurt or sour cream in place of mayo.
- Sugar: Swap with honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup.
- Lemon juice: No lemon juice? Use apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or lime juice instead.
Expert Tips
- Shred the carrots to your preference: If you prefer a finer texture, shred the carrots using the small holes on a box grater or a food processor.
- Balance the sweetness: Adjust the sugar to taste depending on how naturally sweet your carrots and raisins are.
- Customize the add-ins and seasonings: Add chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts), toasted coconut flakes, or pineapple chunks for extra flavor and texture.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate the salad before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. I say a minimum of 30 minutes chill time, but the longer it sits in the fridge, the better!
- Serve it fresh: While it stores well, this salad tastes best when served within a day of making it to preserve the crunch and freshness.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer made-ahead or leftover carrot raisin salad into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days, depending on the freshness of the ingredients you used. I don’t recommend freezing this dish. Enjoy straight out of the fridge!
What to Serve with Carrot Raisin Salad
Carrot raisin salad makes a refreshing snack as is, but it’s even more delicious as a side to mains like grilled chicken, air fryer pork chops, slow cooker salsa chicken, and parmesan crusted chicken.
Enjoy it with roasted turkey or bacon-wrapped filet mignon for holidays and special occasions. For a lighter meal, pair carrot raisin salad with dinner rolls or slices of crusty bread, burgers, wraps, or sandwiches.
More Easy Side Dishes To Try
If you make this carrot raisin salad, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
10-Minute Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded carrot
- 1 cup raisins
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix the carrots and raisins in a large bowl.
- Whisk the remaining ingredients together to form a smooth dressing.
- Pour over carrot mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- If you prefer a finer texture, shred the carrots using the small holes on a box grater or a food processor.
- Adjust the sugar to taste depending on how naturally sweet your carrots and raisins are.
- Add chopped nuts, toasted coconut flakes, or pineapple chunks for extra flavor and texture.
- Refrigerate the salad before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. I say a minimum of 30 minutes chill time, but the longer it sits in the fridge, the better!
- While it stores well, this salad tastes best when served within a day of making it to preserve the crunch and freshness.
