Carrots, raisins, and pineapple are tossed with mayonnaise in this simple Carrot Salad recipe. A quick & easy side salad for any occasion.
I love this simple carrot and raisin salad when I’m in need of a side dish that requires only a few ingredients and minimal effort on my part. The combination of carrots, raisins, and pineapple is so yummy. A little sweet and a little tart, a little creamy and a little crunchy. Yum! This classic Carrot Salad recipe is just like the one my grandma used to make and similar to the one that Chick-fil-A used to serve.
You’ll be the rockstar of your next gathering when you bring this unique salad. KFC Coleslaw, Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon and 7 Layer Salad are also great choices.
Why You’ll Love This Carrot Raisin Salad
Here are a few reasons why I enjoy making this carrot salad so much.
- Only a few ingredients. This recipe is made with a handful of ingredients, primarily carrots, mayonnaise, raisins, and pineapple.
- Great contrast of textures. I love the contrast of the crunchy shredded carrots, chewy raisins, and creamy mayonnaise. You get a little bit of everything in each bite.
- Super easy to assemble. This salad takes about 15 minutes to make, simply because the raisins need to soak in the pineapple juice. Beyond that, it’s just a matter of stirring everything together and popping it in the fridge to chill.
What You’ll Need
This easy grated carrot salad recipe is made with just 5 ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Carrots – Matchstick carrots are the perfect size for this salad. If you don’t have matchstick carrots, you can easily peel large carrots and use a box grater to make shreds. This will work just as well.
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base to the dressing.
- Raisins – Add a sweet touch to the salad.
- Pineapple – You’ll need both pineapple tidbits and pineapple juice for the recipe. I recommend using the juice drained from the can of tidbits.
How To Make Carrot Salad
This salad takes just a few minutes to prepare. You can find a printable version of the instructions in the recipe card below.
- Soak the raisins. Warm the pineapple juice in the microwave. Pour the juice over the raisins in a small bowl. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes to plump back up. Drain.
- Combine. Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Chill. Cover the salad with plastic. Refrigerate until chilled.
Tips & Variations
Here are a few ways to customize this carrot and raisin salad and things to keep in mind while you prepare it.
- Add water if needed. If you don’t have enough pineapple juice to soak the raisins, you can also add a bit of water.
- Try apple juice. Apple juice can be used in place of the pineapple juice or if you’re a bit short as well. The flavor just isn’t quite as acidic.
- Swap out the raisins. Feel free to change it up a bit and use craisins or golden raisins in the recipe.
- Drain the raisins well. After the raisins plump up, be sure to drain and dry them to avoid making the salad watery.
- Make a day ahead. This salad is best when it has several hours to chill, giving the flavors a chance to meld, so I always like to make it a day ahead.
- Additions. add some nuts for extra crunch like walnuts, cashews or pistachios.
Serving Suggestions
Carrot salad makes a quick and easy side dish. I often make it around the holidays to add an extra veggie and some crunchy texture to a spread of other classics like ham, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole.
It would be a great side for other meals too, like air fryer chicken breast or fried pork chops.
How To Store Leftovers
Carrot salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep it in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving.
More Salad Recipes To Try
Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces matchstick carrots
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- 8 ounces pineapple tidbits drained
- ¾ cup pineapple juice use the drained juice from the can
Instructions
- Heat the pineapple juice in the microwave until warm.
- Add the raisins to a small bowl and pour the juice over the top. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes for the raisins to rehydrate and plump back up. Once plump, drain the raisins.
- In a large bowl, add the carrots, raisins, mayonnaise, pineapple and sugar. Stir to combine well.
- Cover with plastic and chill thoroughly. Before serving, give it a good stir!
Last Step:
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