This Sweet & Creamy Carrot Raisin Salad is a nostalgic classic that strikes the perfect balance between crunchy and soft, sweet and savory. Featuring freshly shredded carrots and plump raisins tossed in a light honey-mayo dressing, it is a refreshing side dish that pairs well with just about anything.
Whether you serve it at a summer picnic or alongside a cozy winter roast, this simple salad is a timeless favorite that takes just minutes to prepare.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A delightful mix of natural sweetness from the carrots and honey, balanced by the creaminess of mayonnaise and a bright splash of lemon juice.
- Texture: You get a satisfying crunch from the raw carrots and a chewy burst of sweetness from the raisins, all coated in a smooth, light dressing.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 30 minutes chilling time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It involves whisking a dressing and tossing ingredients together.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large bowl for mixing and tossing the salad. A box grater or food processor is essential for shredding the carrots fresh. The ingredients rely on simple pantry staples like mayonnaise, honey, and raisins, combined with crisp fresh carrots.
Ingredient Notes
- Shredded Carrots – You need 4 cups. For the best flavor and moisture, peel and shred whole carrots yourself rather than buying pre-shredded bagged carrots, which can be dry.
- Raisins – A cup of raisins adds chewy sweetness. You can use regular dark raisins or golden raisins depending on your preference.
- Mayonnaise – This forms the creamy base of the dressing. Use a high-quality real mayo for the best taste.
- Honey – Adds a floral sweetness that complements the carrots better than granulated sugar.
- Lemon Juice – A teaspoon of fresh lemon juice adds necessary acidity to cut through the mayo and honey.
- Water – A tablespoon of water thins the dressing slightly so it coats the vegetables evenly without being heavy.
- Salt – A pinch of salt enhances all the sweet and savory flavors.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Pineapple – Stir in a 1/2 cup of drained crushed pineapple for a tropical, juicy twist.
- Nuts – Chopped walnuts or pecans add a wonderful crunch.
- Apple – Diced crisp apple (like Granny Smith) adds extra texture and tartness.
- Yogurt – For a lighter version, you can substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
How to Make Sweet & Creamy Carrot Raisin Salad
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise with honey, water, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Toss: Add the shredded carrots and the raisins to the bowl with the sauce. Toss well using tongs or a spoon until the carrots and raisins are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until ready to serve.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the chilling step! Letting the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes allows the raisins to plump up slightly as they absorb moisture from the dressing, and it gives the flavors time to meld together.
Recipe Tips
- Fresh Carrots: While convenient, pre-shredded carrots are often thick and dry. Shredding your own yields finer, juicier strands that absorb the dressing better.
- Soak Raisins: If your raisins are very old and hard, you can soak them in warm water for 5 minutes (then drain and pat dry) before adding them to the salad to rehydrate them instantly.
- Seasoning: Taste the salad after it has chilled. You might want to add an extra squeeze of lemon or pinch of salt depending on the sweetness of your carrots.
FAQs
- Can I use golden raisins? Yes, golden raisins (sultanas) work perfectly and have a slightly fruitier flavor.
- Is this gluten-free? Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- How long does it last? This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Give it a good stir before serving as the dressing may settle at the bottom.
Serving Suggestions
- BBQ: This is a classic side dish for pulled pork sandwiches or ribs.
- Lunch: Serve alongside a tuna melt or chicken salad sandwich.
- Holiday: It adds a bright, colorful element to an Easter or Thanksgiving table.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can shred the carrots a day in advance and store them in water (drain well before using).
- Assembly: You can make the entire salad a day ahead. The flavors often improve after sitting overnight.
Sweet & Creamy Carrot Raisin Salad
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 Side Servings 1x
Description
This Sweet & Creamy Carrot Raisin Salad is a nostalgic classic that strikes the perfect balance between crunchy and soft, sweet and savory. Featuring freshly shredded carrots and plump raisins tossed in a light honey-mayo dressing, it is a refreshing side dish that pairs well with just about anything. Whether you serve it at a summer picnic or alongside a cozy winter roast, this simple salad is a timeless favorite that takes just minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
The Salad Base
- 4 cups shredded carrots (approx. 1 lb or 4–5 medium carrots)
- 1 cup raisins (dark or golden)
The Honey-Mayo Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon water (to thin)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Make the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey, water, lemon juice, and salt.
Whisk
Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Toss
Add the shredded carrots and raisins to the bowl with the dressing.
Coat
Toss well using tongs or a spoon until the carrots and raisins are evenly coated.
Chill
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Rest
Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before serving.
Notes
The “Chill” Factor: Don’t skip the chilling step! Letting the salad sit allows the flavors to meld and the raisins to plump up as they absorb moisture from the dressing.
Carrot Choice: While convenient, pre-shredded bagged carrots are often dry and thick. For the best flavor and moisture, peel and shred whole carrots yourself using a box grater or food processor.
Raisin Rescue: If your pantry raisins are old and hard, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes (then drain and pat dry) before adding them to rehydrate them instantly.
Add-Ins: This salad is versatile! Stir in 1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple for a tropical twist, or chopped walnuts/pecans for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish / Salad
- Method: No-Cook / Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of Recipe
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: carrot salad recipe, carrot raisin salad, classic picnic side dishes, healthy vegetable sides, easy salad recipes, gluten free side dish, kid friendly vegetables
