Every picnic, potluck, or holiday table needs a colorful and crunchy carrot salad recipe.
Freshly shredded carrots and dried cranberries are blended in a lemon mayonnaise dressing with just a pinch of salt.
This salad is perfect for BBQs and picnics. It stays crisp and crunchy longer than lettuce-based salads.
![This carrot salad is full of crunchy, chewy textures and sweet, tangy flavors. Shredded carrots and dried cranberries mixed with mayonnaise and lemon juice. It's a colorful dish for picnics and potlucks. For extra sweetness, add raisins, pineapple, or apples. For crunch, try cucumber or cabbage. Beets will give it earthiness and more color, and roast chicken can turn it into a complete meal. #ourzestylife mixing Carrot Salad ingredients](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-3.jpg)
Crunchy Carrot Salad
- Make this carrot salad recipe with five simple ingredients for a healthy and quick side dish.
- Carrot salad is a budget-friendly side to a savory pot roast or a holiday ham.
- Mix and match the ingredients for a more colorful or crunchy salad.
![Carrot salad is loaded with crunchy textures and sweet, tangy flavors. Shredded carrots and dried cranberries combine with mayo and lemon juice for a tasty side dish. It’s perfect for picnics and potlucks. Add raisins, pineapple, or apples for extra sweetness. Add cucumber or cabbage for more crunch. Beets add color and earthiness, and roast chicken makes it a full meal. #ourzestylife carrots , lemon , cranberries , mayonnaise , salt with labels to make Carrot Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IG-Carrot-Salad-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
Ingredients and Variations
Carrots: Shred carrots with a box shredder, or food processor, or slice them thinly with a mandolin into long strips for a delicate look. Peeling them is up to you!
Cranberries: Dried cranberries provide color and sweetness, but raisins, currants, or any dried fruit can be used instead.
Dressing: A little bit of mayo will bring all the flavors together. Miracle whip salad dressing is another switch that will make carrot salad even tangier.
Variations: Shredded cabbage, chopped beets, sliced cucumbers, chopped apples, toasted pecans, drained crushed pineapple, peas, or sundried tomatoes will add fresh color and flavor to carrot salad.
![Carrot salad is packed with crunch and sweet, tangy flavors. Shredded carrots and dried cranberries mix perfectly with mayonnaise and lemon juice. This colorful dish brightens up any picnic or potluck. For extra sweetness, add raisins, pineapple, or apples. Cucumber or cabbage will give it more crunch. Beets add color and earthiness, and roast chicken makes it a hearty meal. #ourzestylife ingredients in a bowl to make Carrot Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
How to Make Carrot Salad
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, as directed in the recipe below.
- Cover and refrigerate.
- Season to taste before serving.
![Carrot salad has a crunchy, chewy, texture with sweet and tangy flavors! Shredded carrots and tangy dried cranberries are folded into the salad with mayonnaise and lemon juice. This colorful side dish will brighten your potlucks or picnics! For extra sweetness, toss in raisins, pineapple, or apples. Give it an extra crunch with cucumber or cabbage. Beets will add earthiness and color, while roast chicken will make it a meal in a bowl! #ourzestylife fork of Carrot Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-6.jpg)
Tips for Shredding Carrots
Three methods for shredding carrots:
- Box Grater: Scrub and cut both ends off the carrots. Shred them using the larger size hole on the box grater.
- Mandolin: Refer to the box grater method, however, be careful to use the “cut glove” that comes with the mandolin as they can be extremely sharp.
- Food Processor: Scrub and cut both ends off the carrots, then cut the carrots into 3-inch pieces. Use the shredding blade on your food processor and pulse until shredded.
![Carrot salad combines crunchy and chewy textures with sweet and tangy flavors. Mix shredded carrots and dried cranberries with mayo and lemon juice for a refreshing side. It's great for brightening up potlucks and picnics. Add raisins, pineapple, or apples for extra sweetness, and cucumber or cabbage for more crunch. Beets add color and earthiness, while roast chicken can make it a hearty meal. #ourzestylife plate of Carrot Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-4.jpg)
Storing Carrot Salad
Carrot salad can be made up to two days ahead so all it needs is a quick toss and it’s ready to serve.
Leftover carrot salad can be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Give it a quick stir and a fresh squirt of lemon juice before serving again.
Tuck carrot salad into a pita pocket or wrap for a vegetarian meal-to-go or add leftover chicken for a protein-based wrap.
![close up of Carrot Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-5-680x1020.jpg)
More Summer Salads
Did you try this recipe for Carrot Salad? Leave a comment and rating below!
![mixing Carrot Salad ingredients](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-3-500x500.jpg)
Carrot Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots shredded (about 5-6 medium carrots)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine shredded carrots, dried cranberries, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour. Taste, season with salt as desired, and serve.
Notes
- Raisins or dried currents can be used instead of cranberries
- Carrot salad can be served immediately but is preferred if it’s chilled.
- Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![Carrot salad combines crunchy and chewy textures with sweet and tangy flavors. Mix shredded carrots and dried cranberries with mayo and lemon juice for a refreshing side. It's great for brightening up potlucks and picnics. Add raisins, pineapple, or apples for extra sweetness, and cucumber or cabbage for more crunch. Beets add color and earthiness, while roast chicken can make it a hearty meal. #ourzestylife easy to make Carrot Salad with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![This carrot salad is full of crunchy, chewy textures and sweet, tangy flavors. Shredded carrots and dried cranberries mixed with mayonnaise and lemon juice. It's a colorful dish for picnics and potlucks. For extra sweetness, add raisins, pineapple, or apples. For crunch, try cucumber or cabbage. Beets will give it earthiness and more color, and roast chicken can turn it into a complete meal. #ourzestylife crunchy Carrot Salad with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Carrot salad is a delightful mix of crunch and tangy-sweet flavors. Shredded carrots and dried cranberries blend perfectly with mayonnaise and lemon juice. This vibrant side dish is perfect for picnics and potlucks. Add raisins, pineapple, or apples for extra sweetness. For more crunch, try adding cucumber or cabbage. Beets bring earthy flavor and color, and adding roast chicken makes it a complete meal. #ourzestylife Carrot Salad recipe on a plate with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NP-Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-1-.jpg)
![Carrot salad has a crunchy, chewy, texture with sweet and tangy flavors! Shredded carrots and tangy dried cranberries are folded into the salad with mayonnaise and lemon juice. This colorful side dish will brighten your potlucks or picnics! For extra sweetness, toss in raisins, pineapple, or apples. Give it an extra crunch with cucumber or cabbage. Beets will add earthiness and color, while roast chicken will make it a meal in a bowl! #ourzestylife easy Carrot Salad on a fork with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NP-Carrot-Salad-2-OurZestyLife.jpg)
![Carrot salad is packed with crunch and sweet, tangy flavors. Shredded carrots and dried cranberries mix perfectly with mayonnaise and lemon juice. This colorful dish brightens up any picnic or potluck. For extra sweetness, add raisins, pineapple, or apples. Cucumber or cabbage will give it more crunch. Beets add color and earthiness, and roast chicken makes it a hearty meal. #ourzestylife Carrot Salad on a plate and on a fork with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LP-Carrot-Salad-2-OZL-1.jpg)
![Carrot salad is loaded with crunchy textures and sweet, tangy flavors. Shredded carrots and dried cranberries combine with mayo and lemon juice for a tasty side dish. It’s perfect for picnics and potlucks. Add raisins, pineapple, or apples for extra sweetness. Add cucumber or cabbage for more crunch. Beets add color and earthiness, and roast chicken makes it a full meal. #ourzestylife Carrot Salad with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LP-Carrot-Salad-2-OZL-2.jpg)