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Home Cuisine American

Carrot Raisin Salad

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By: Diana Posted: 6/26/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Carrot Raisin Salad served in a salad bowl

Make a super simple side dish from this creamy and crunchy Carrot Raisin Salad! It’s slightly sweet, but sugar can be omitted and replaced with a grated apple if preferred. This old fashioned salad is very similar to the one that used to be served at Chick-Fil-A.

Carrot Raisin salad served in a large bowl, and a serving spoon

Great for potlucks, bbq’s, weeknight dinners, and any time you want a creamy, cold side dish, this Carrot Salad with raisins is always a hit. If you’re a Chick-Fil-A fan, this salad is very similar to their (discontinued) version too.

I love that this copycat recipe is so simple, with just a few ingredients. You can add things if you like, but it’s totally scrumptious as written. Just like coleslaw, this salad is quite crunchy but creamy at the same time. The sweetness of the salad is a great way to get kids to eat vegetables too, which is a total bonus. 

And make sure to check out my homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich, it’s an amazing recipe that your whole family will love. Trust me, it’s much better than the original!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Six Ingredients. Just carrots, raisins, and a few ingredients for the creamy and tangy sweet salad dressing. 
  2. Fast and Easy. Mix everything up in one bowl for this carrot raisin salad recipe. It takes less than 5 minutes to make.
  3. Healthy. Carrots are packed with vitamins, fiber, and vegetable goodness. 

Ingredients in Carrot Raisin Salad

  • Mayonnaise – This is the base of our salad dressing and makes this a creamy, delicious side. 
  • Honey – My favorite liquid sweetener. You can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar along with vegan mayo to make this recipe vegan. 
  • Water – Just a bit of water is needed to get the right consistency. 
  • Lemon Juice – This adds a bright flavor that offsets the heaviness of the mayo. 
  • Salt – To season everything well. 
  • Shredded carrots – You’ll need about 4 cups of shredded carrots. Use a box grater, or a food processor with a grating plate. I like a larger sized shred for this recipe. For a shortcut, buy carrots already shredded at the grocery store. Just be aware that the texture will be much better if you use freshly grated carrots.

Tip!

I always recommend buying fresh carrots and shredding them. Carrot sticks won’t work here as they have a different texture.

  • Raisins – Regular raisins are perfect, and I like the way their dark color looks against the orange carrots. Substitute golden raisins if that’s what you have at home. For plum raisins, just soak them in warm water for 30 minutes before using.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Overhead shot of ingredients needed to make a carrot salad including carrots, raisins, mayo, honey, lemon juice, water, and salt.

Optional Add-Ins for Carrot Raisin Salad

  • Pineapple – I often add a small can of pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained, to this recipe. A little bit more fruit and sweetness never hurt anyone. But avoid using canned crushed pineapple here.
  • Apples – A diced tart apple is delicious added in too.
  • Other Dried Fruit – Try substituting dried cranberries (craisins) or dried blueberries for the raisins. 
  • Nuts or Seeds – Sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds give this salad some extra crunch. 

How to Make Carrot Raisin Salad

The recipe for Carrot Raisin Salad could not get any easier! 

  1. Make Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayo with honey, water, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined. 
  2. Mix. In the same bowl, add shredded carrots and raisins. Toss well. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. Give the salad a quick stir and enjoy!
A collage with 3 images showing to make carrot and raisin salad

Frequently Asked Questions About Carrot Raisin Salad

Do I need to soak the carrots? 

I don’t think that’s necessary. While the salad sits in the fridge the raisins will soak up some of the dressing and plump right up.

Can I make carrot salad ahead of time? 

I suggest making this salad within 24 hours of the time you plan to serve it. It’s fine to make it up to 2 days ahead, but the salad may get watery as the salt and sugar pull moisture from the carrots.  

Close up shot of raisin carrot salad

For more delicious salads with carrots, try my Asian chicken salad, this simple but super healthy and tasty kale salad, and if you love crab, then this spicy kani salad is for you!

More Salad Recipes

Creamy Grape Salad

Watermelon Salad With Feta

Caesar Pasta Salad

Ramen Noodle Salad

Browse All ➜

Enjoy your retro raisin carrot salad side dish! Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later and for more people to enjoy.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
Carrot Raisin salad served in a large bowl, and a serving spoon
5 from 11 votes
(Click stars to rate!)

Carrot Raisin Salad

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe Email Recipe
Carrot Raisin Salad is a simple to make cold side dish that is sweet and creamy and perfect for BBQs or potlucks.
6 servings
Carrot Raisin Salad is a simple to make cold side dish that is sweet and creamy and perfect for BBQs or potlucks.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups shredded carrots
  • 1 cup raisins

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine mayo with honey, water, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined.
  • Add the carrots and the raisins to the sauce, and toss well. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until serving.

Notes:

  • Mayo can be substituted with sour cream.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 181kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 222mg, Potassium: 477mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 14262IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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  1. Princess says

    Posted on 5/19/22 at 13:12

    5 stars
    I love this salad except I used vanilla flavored greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    Posted on 4/26/22 at 20:50

    5 stars
    Love this no sugar added recipe and I don’t topically care too much for 🥕 but I love it so does my dietetic brother and elder mom.
    I’m going to try the next batch with orange juice and Orange zest but if you have only lemon 🍋, zest it in the salad for more lemon flavor.

    Reply
  3. Paula says

    Posted on 4/17/22 at 14:17

    5 stars
    This is the best tasting carrot salad recipe. It’s easy and delicious, and a perfect addition to any meal. I use pineapple for extra flavor and vegan mayonnaise for a vegan version. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
  4. Wanda Murrell says

    Posted on 11/24/21 at 17:47

    Can you use miracle whip for the Mayo? I saw in one recipe for carrot salad not to use miracle whip! Which brand is best?

    Reply
    • Diana says

      Posted on 11/24/21 at 20:15

      Hi Wanda, I haven’t tried it with miracle whip so the recipe will turn out a little sweeter than my version. I like Hellmann’s mayo!

      Reply
    • Kelly says

      Posted on 4/26/22 at 20:51

      Yes if you like a sweeter salad

      Reply

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