Home » Side Dish Recipes » Carrot Salad (+Video)
ByBrandie
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This classic Carrot Salad recipe is just like the one that used to be served at Chick-fil-A. Freshly grated carrots, raisins, pineapple tidbits and dressing!
A CLASSIC PICNIC SIDE DISH
Carrot raisin salad is one of those dishes Iremember eating a lot as a kid and it was one of those foods that I remember my Mom making on a regular rotation. If you aren’t familiar with carrot raisin salad then chances are you probably aren’t from the south. It is a generational favorite and a must-make for any summer get together. It may sound really bizarre but trust me when I tell you the flavors just work and it’s hard to eat just one serving!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I just use store-bought carrot sticks?
No I don’t recommend doing that. It will have a completely different texture and the carrot sticks won’t soak up the dressing properly.
Can I use raisins instead of raisins?
If you love dried cranberries then I say go for it! Also, golden raisins work well too in this.
Can I replace the mayonnaise with Miracle Whip?
This is always a tough question for me because I really do not like Miracle Whip dressing at all. It is far too tangy for my tastes but if it’s something you just love and adore, then that decision is up to you.
Do I really need to soak the raisins first?
This step is optional but I really do recommend it. It only takes a few minutes and they can soak while you prepare the other ingredients. It really does plump the raisins up.
Can I use crushed pineapple?
Again, I don’t recommend it here. Crushed pineapple can release too much liquid into the salad and can really mess up the texture that you want in a carrot raisin salad.
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Yes, absolutely. Just make sure you cut it up so it’s bite sized.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- carrots – it needs to be freshly grated carrots – not the carrots that are already shredded. The dressing doesn’t properly absorb into those like it does fresh.
- raisins – as stated above, you could also use dried cranberries or even golden raisins if you prefer.
- warm water – this is to plump up the raisins a bit before using. This is optional.
- pineapple tidbits – I like to get the pineapple tidbits that are in 100% juice but if you can only find it in syrup, that is fine. Just make sure they are drained very well.
- mayonnaise – I prefer Hellman’s or Duke’s mayonnaise. Use a mayonnaise you really enjoy the taste of since it’s a major ingredient in this recipe.
- sugar – if you’ve never made or eaten this salad, then this might seem weird but do not skip it. It is essential to this recipe to get the correct flavor.
HOW TO MAKE CARROT SALAD:
Put raisins in a cup of very warm water (or warmed up apple juice/ leftover pineapple juice) so they plump back up.Once they plump back up, discard the liquid. Note: this step is optional but I think it makes the raisins taste a bit better. Drain pineapple of excess juices.Peel carrots and then grate them. If making a double batch of this salad, it may be faster to use the grater on your food processor. In a bowl, toss grated carrots with mayonnaise and sugar. Then add in raisins and pineapple.Give it all a good stir.
Cover and put in the fridge to chill thoroughly.Give it another good stir before serving.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Chick-Fil-A Superfood Salad
- Mom’s Vinegar Cucumber Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Fresh Summer Corn Salad
- The Best Tuna Salad
- Deviled Eggs
- 50 Easter Recipes
Originally published: March 2011
Updated & republished: June 2023
Carrot Salad (+Video)
This classic Carrot Salad recipe is just like the one at Chick-fil-A. Freshly grated carrots, raisins, pineapple tidbits and dressing!
4.96 from 44 votes
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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook
Ingredients
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 cup warm water (or leftover pineapple juice – just make sure it's warm)
- 1 small can of pineapple tidbits, drained very well
- 1 pound carrots
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
Put raisins in a cup of very warm water (or warmed up apple juice) so they plump back up. Once they plump up, drain water or juice.
Peel carrots and then grate them.
In a medium bowl, toss grated carrots with mayo and sugar.
Then add in raisins and pineapple and stir until combined.
Cover and put in the fridge to chill thoroughly.Give it another good stir before serving.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- I don’t recommend using store-bought carrot sticks. It will have a completely different texture and the carrot sticks won’t soak up the dressing properly.
- Dried cranberries and golden raisins will also work in this recipe.
- Only pineapple tidbits or fresh cut pineapple should used in this recipe.Crushed pineapple can release too much liquid into the salad and can really mess up the texture that you want in a carrot raisin salad.
- If making a double batch of this salad, it may be faster to use the grater on your food processor.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 175mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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made it; actually made two salads, one with cranberries and one with pineapple. Family member can’t eat pineapple and one doesn’t like raisins. Turned out good.Reply
Dixie, what a surprise my name is Dixie and I was born on February 11, the day you left your review, but 1965! I was shocked when I saw the date of your review! Brandie, I will be making this day after tomorrow, Sounds great!
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I love all of my Dixies! Ha! Hope you love this one!!
Can I add shredded turnips as well?
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I couldn’t say to be honest as I’ve never attempted that
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Exactly what I was looking for!Reply
Exactly what I was looking for. It was perfect and I made it exactly to your recipe. Thank you for posting a classic recipe that many of us remember our Moms making but never had her recipe. It’s so important to have a record of these classics so they aren’t lost to history.
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Absolutely delicious. Wouldn’t change a thing!
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Easy and so, so tasty.Reply
Absolutely delicious! I’m definitely passing this recipe on to friends with smaller children as I know they will love it.
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Thanks for the recipe. Just like the one my Mother made. Going to make it again tonight.Reply
Is this a good “make ahead” recipe? I’m thinking of making it at night then serving at a luncheon the next day. Also, have you ever tried it with the bags of carrots that come pre-shredded? If so, how was it? Thank you!
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Hi Rebecca – not too far ahead. The carrots do soften. The pre-shedded carrots won’t work as well because they don’t absorb the dressing the way freshly grated carrots do which is what you want in a salad like this 🙂
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Thank you for posting this; I’ve trying to find one similar to what my mom made since she’s no longer with us. Some of these recipes are so complicated with so many ingredients and hers was much simpler.
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Just like I remember my mom making. Simple and delicious. It was wonderful to make something that I have such fond memories of eating.Reply
Do you use real mayonnaise or miracle whip?
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For me, it needs to be real mayonnaise. Most southern cooks like Duke’s. 🙂
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So good thank you very much. My Grandma used to make this. I agree with other commenters. Some people try to make this so difficult by adding a million other ingredients. That is NOT the original recipe and now how our Grandmas made it. this recipe is. It was simple and delicious and perfect just the way it is. Stop always trying to modernize something that is perfect just the way it is.
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I loved this salad as a child and my kids love it. I haven’t made it in a while. I have a small can of crushed pineapple and I wonder if that can be substituted for the tidbits.Reply
Yep you could! Personally I would drain it so it doesn’t add too much liquid but some people enjoy that so the choice is yours. 🙂
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