Raw Carrot Salad

Raw Carrot Salad is light & refreshing with a simple vinaigrette, cranberries, & pecans. Ready in just 10 minutes, it is a great side dish anytime! Carrot fans will love the flavor and taste, and parents will love that this is the perfect way to get the kids to eat more veggies! 

I’ll be honest…I’m always looking for new ways to up the vegetable intake for myself and the kids. It’s not like we don’t eat a lot of them, but there’s always room to improve.

The really great part about making this shredded carrots salad is that it’s the perfect balance between crunchy and sweet, and pairs with any type of main dish. This and my Carrot and Cucumber Salad have become summer staples because they are cool, refreshing, and use simple ingredients.

Be sure to check out my Keto Carrot Cake Muffins recipe as well. Since you’re already shredding carrots, you might as well just go ahead and do a few extra for this special treat!

Ingredients

• Carrots – Peel and shred raw carrots and put them in a bowl. Since you are grating so many carrots, I prefer to do this with a food processor instead of a box grater or cheese grater. You can also use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to make carrot ribbons.
• Apple – You can use any type of apple that you like. I normally use Gala apples, but Granny Smith would add a nice tang.
• Olive oil – Using extra virgin olive oil provides a nice and clean texture and taste. Coconut oil and avocado oil work great, too. 
• Fresh lemon juice – Squeezing a bit of juice adds the perfect acidity. You can also use lime juice or bottled lemon juice if needed. 
• Salt and black pepper – You can always add these to your taste preference. 
• Dried cranberries – Perfect for texture and adding some natural sweetness. I make my own with this Sugar-Free Dried Cranberries Recipe.
• Chopped pecans – I love adding nuts because of the crunch factor. They do get soft if you add them ahead of time, so I add them right before serving.

See quantities in the recipe card.

How To Make Raw Carrot Salad

1️⃣ Combine Carrots & Apples

Combine the shredded carrots and apples in a large bowl. Toss to mix.

2️⃣ Make the Dressing

Combine the dressing ingredients. Stir, shake, or blend until smooth.

👉 Tip – Adjust to your taste. You can try it on a few pieces of carrot to see if you like it before you dress the entire salad.

3️⃣ Add the Dressing

Drizzle the dressing over the raw carrot salad and mix well. Let it stand for 5 minutes to slightly soften the carrots.

4️⃣ Add Mix-Ins

Top the raw carrot salad with the cranberries and pecans. Mix gently. Serve immediately.

Storage

Make sure that you cover this salad with an airtight lid or transfer it to an airtight container and keep it stored in the refrigerator. This salad recipe needs to be kept chilled for the best flavor. It will last 3-4 days in the fridge but has the best texture served fresh.

Variations

• Add honey – If you want even more sweetness and added health benefits, add some local honey and drizzle it on top. I also think that a drizzle of maple syrup would be delicious, too. There are sugar-free versions of both on the market if you want to lower the carbs.
• Mustard – You can add a boost of flavor to this easy recipe by stirring in a tiny bit of Dijon mustard.
• Spices – Add ginger, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, or any other spice you enjoy to the dressing.
• Top with fresh parsley – Sprinkling on some fresh parsley, cilantro, or other fresh herbs is a simple way to add color and extra flavor.
• Vinegar – Some people also add a bit of apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or white vinegar to make a tangy dressing.
• Change up the nuts – Pecans are great in this raw carrot salad, but crushed walnuts would be another delicious option. You can also swap the nuts for seeds such as sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.

For another refreshing salad, try this Arugula Burrata Salad next!

Common Questions

Can you prep the grated carrots earlier?

Yes, you can. If you want to shred the carrots earlier, do so. Just add a few drops of lemon juice, stir, and then store them covered in the fridge. I do this sometimes to save time.

You can also save time on meal prep and buy carrots at the store that are already shredded. This is a huge perk and time saver! They can be dry, though. So you may need to let the raw carrot salad sit longer than 5 minutes for them to absorb some dressing and soften.

What are the health benefits of adding carrots to your daily diet?

Carrots are a good source of fiber and great for eyesight! The more vegetables that you can eat, the better! When I’m craving something sweet and crunchy, I would much rather make and eat this salad than add something else to my body.

Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & a 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!

Originally Published July 25, 2022. Revised and Republished May 11, 2026.