This simple and easy carrot salad makes the perfect year-round side dish! It's especially nice in the spring when summer produce hasn't kicked in yet.
If you want proof that food doesn't have to be complicated to be good, this shredded carrot salad is it!
The hardest part of this salad is grating or shredding the carrots, and being lazy, I found the perfect answer - pre-shredded carrots! I know fresh would be best, but I found organic pre-shredded carrots from Publix and now this carrot salad is on regular rotation!
Ingredients.
Vinaigrette - red wine vinegar, lemon juice (freshly squeezed), extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Since this vinaigrette has few ingredients, this is a good time to use your better olive oil. It will have more flavor and really sing in this salad. You could even use Lemon Infused Olive Oil to bring out all the lemon flavors!
Carrots - shredded or grated. As I mentioned above, I am fine with using these pre-shredded ones if it means I'll have this salad more often.
Parsley - adds a fresh flavor and a pretty green color. You could experiment with other fresh herbs, parsley is a safe herb though that goes with almost everything.
Instructions.
This is so simple to make, you hardly need instructions.
Begin by grating or shredding the carrots or opening the bag of pre-shredded. Chop the parsley as fine as you would like it.
Make a basic vinaigrette in a bowl large enough to hold the salad, by combining the vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and then whisking in the olive oil. Taste and see if you need to adjust the seasonings.
Add the carrots and parsley to the bowl and toss to combine. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
So simple and so good! This is the best simple grated carrot salad ever! It's so easy to make, I almost always have the ingredients to make it and it goes with everything.
I've been making this since 2011, I believe that I found the original recipe in an Alice Waters cookbook. I'll link to it in the recipe card. She is my go-to for simple ideas that really allow the vegetables to shine.
I need to add this to my round-up of Side Dishes Grandma Wished She'd Made, my grandma's carrot salad had mayo and raisins, which was good, but this is a lighter option!
More easy salads.
Recipe.
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Simple Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots peeled, and grated or shredded
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl large enough to hold the carrots, combine the lemon juice, vinegar. a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
- Peel and grate (or shred) or buy the pre-shredded carrots and add them to the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss to combine, taste for salt and pepper and stir in the parsley.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
The was originally published in 2011 and has been updated for 2024.
Shannon says
I love this salad so much that I have added it to my rotation. Leftovers are very good on sandwiches! Try it.
Cathy says
Hi Pam - You and I are one the same wave length this week. I just posted a recipe for this salad with a slightly different dressing. It's amazing how delicious and easy this is.
Rettabug says
This looks REALLY pretty, Pam...great photo!!! I can't wait to try making it & I have sent your link on to both my sisters...one is Vegan & I know she will love it.
Beautifully presented!
fondly,
Rett
grace says
don't tell me you're letting a few itsy bitsy tornadoes slow ya down... :)i love this simple side--the red wine vinegar is a great touch!
Reeni says
I have an unnatural love for carrots so I had to come check this out - it's as delicious as I thought it would be!
Amy says
This salad sounds easy to prepare and very refreshing! What a perfect side dish for Spring! 🙂 Thank you for sharing and have a nice weekend.<
Deb in Hawaii says
Such a colorful and refreshing salad. A perfect spring side dish. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays.
😉
ButterYum says
It's so nice to see a carrot salad that doesn't contain raisins! Can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe, and Happy FF.
Nicole Feliciano says
So fresh, perfect and easy. Love carrots paired with seafood--I'm going to have to try this.
LDH says
So nice stopping by to visit with you! Beautiful carrot salad!
Barbara F. says
Pam, visiting from Foodie Friday. This salad sounds delish! I have been looking for a carrot salad recipe, the ones I have found are always sweet, with pineapple and raisins and even non-dairy creamer. This fits the bill for me. xo,
Joanne says
At least you MADE easter dinner. I sat in my apartment. And studied. All day.
This carrot salad looks delicious! I love how easy it is!
June says
Hang in there Pam. There's light at the end of the tunnel and a garage to clean (yuk). Not sure I wouldn't sooner do paperwork than that. LOL
Wearinbeads says
I'm glad there is not so much paperwork you are not able to post. I was worried about you today because you were late.