You've stumbled upon a delightful summer Carrot Salad recipe with just enough spice to make it nice. This carrot salad will have people loading up their plates for seconds and thirds—it's that good! It is the ultimate summer side dish that is easy and quick with splendid flavors. What's more, it stores well, thus a perfect meal-prepping option.
Imagine crisp, julienne-cut carrots coated in a creamy, herb-infused dressing with a refreshing, savory taste? Let's get into the details of making this irresistible spicy carrot salad.
This recipe is: Gluten Free and Vegetarian
Table of Contents
5 Reasons to Love This Recipe
This is one of my favorite salads and it will become your favorite as well! Read out the my reasons to love this recipe!
- Ready in minutes with simple ingredients.
- Perfect as a side dish or for meal prepping.
- Refreshing herb-infused dressing.
- Fits into low-carb lifestyle.
- Everyone will be coming back for seconds.
Is Carrot Salad Low Carb?
Yes, carrot salad is generally low-carb. This recipe leans towards the lower carb spectrum. Each serving contains just under 8 g of net carbs, making it relatively low-carb overall. However, due to the high carb content of carrots, it's not suitable for a strict keto diet. To further reduce carbs, swap shallots for ½ teaspoons of garlic powder.
Carrot Salad Ingredient List
You'll need the following ingredients to make a simple carrot salad with mayonnaise:
- 4-5 large carrots, washed, trimmed, and julienne sliced (4 cups yield)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup shallot, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon each: fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, and chives
- 2 tablespoons chili oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
If you're missing some of the ingredients for this carrot salad recipe, don't worry! Here are some substitutions you can try:
- Heavy cream: Substitute with coconut cream (not coconut milk!) for a dairy-free option.
- Shallot: Use red onion soaked in water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor.
- Chili oil: For a spicy kick, replace with ¼ to ½ teaspoons of cayenne powder or about ½ teaspoons of red chili flakes.
- Lemon juice: Swap with fresh lime juice for a citrusy twist. Avoid bottled lemon or lime juice for the best flavor in this recipe. Plus, most of them tend to have hidden sugars.
Additional Ingredients
Looking to enhance this healthy carrot salad with some optional additions? Here are a few ideas to elevate the flavors:
- Nuts: Add crushed walnuts or chopped almonds for a delightful texture and nutty flavor.
- Spices: Try a dash of ground cumin or smoked paprika to add depth and complexity.
- Fruit (if not strictly low carb): For a tasty twist, chop some Granny Smith apples and incorporate them into the salad to make an excellent dish.
- More veggies: Add more veggies of your choice, such as green onions, celery, or bell peppers, to make a stellar side dish.
Note: Additional ingredients are just there to improve the flavor; they are not part of the original recipe.
Cooking Tools Required
You'll need the following tools to make this simple carrot salad recipe:
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Vegetable peeler (if needed)
- Julienne slicer or grater (for slicing carrots)
- Medium bowl
- Spoon or spatula for mixing
How to Make Carrot Salad: Complete Guide
Cooking Method
- No-cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the ingredients and tools for this recipe.
- Wash the carrots, then trim and julienne-slice them.
- Finely dice shallots.
- Squeeze lemon juice.
- Add the mayonnaise, heavy cream, shallot, parsley, cilantro, chives, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, chili oil, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar to a bowl. Mix well.
- Add the seasoned mixture to the carrots in a large bowl and mix well to incorporate.
- Taste, adjust the seasonings if needed, and taste again.
💡 My Pro Tip
Whether you choose grated, julienned, or shredded carrots, the key is to slice them thinly so they can soak up all the flavorful dressing. Use a julienne carrot peeler, a mandoline with a shredding attachment, a food processor with a shredding blade, or the rough side of a box grater to achieve the right texture. Large carrot chunks won't work well with this sauce, as we want the carrots to meld beautifully with the dressing. Remember that once dressed, the julienne carrot salad will reduce in volume significantly. For larger gatherings, double or triple the recipe.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Use a food processor to grate your carrots. This will save you a lot of time compared to hand-grating.
- Prep all ingredients and mix them (except salt) up to 24 hours before serving. Add salt and adjust seasoning just before serving.
- Save time by purchasing pre-grated carrots from the grocery store.
What to Serve With Carrot Salad?
Looking for tasty pairings to complement this summer salad recipe? Here are some delicious options:
- Simple Pan-Seared Cod: The light and delicate flavors of pan-seared cod perfectly complement the freshness of this delicious salad.
- Porterhouse Steak: A juicy porterhouse steak is a hearty match for the vibrant and creamy Carrot Salad.
- Pork Kabobs: The healthy ingredients of this savory and tender pork kabobs pair wonderfully with the tangy and sweet salad.
- Grilled Beer Can Chicken: The smoky flavors of grilled beer can chicken are a delightful contrast to the popular side dish.
- Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb: The rich and savory herb-crusted rack of lamb balances beautifully with the refreshing dish.
Storage Instructions
- Store the carrot salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Note that salt may draw water out of the carrots, thinning the dressing.
Note: This salad is best enjoyed cold and should not be reheated. Similarly, freezing is not recommended as it will alter the texture and flavors.
Recipe Conclusion
The first time I made this Carrot Salad was when my wife's best friend Alexis visited us in France—it was her first trip across the pond to stay with us, and we had a great time. I served this side dish at our first lunch, and it was such a hit that I've made it three more times this week.
The first batch with finely grated carrots resulted in a slightly watery sauce. The second batch with coarsely grated carrots was delicious. For this recipe, I used julienned carrots, which enhanced the sweetness and paired beautifully with the spiced chili oil. As the recipe is simple and quick, I usually make more than I can finish and store for future enjoyment. Give it a shot; I promise you won't regret it. Please write in the comments any questions or suggestions you may have. Or, find us on Facebook or Instagram.
More Side dish Recipes
Looking for more side dish ideas with carrots? Check out these options:
FAQs
To julienne a carrot, first peel and trim the carrot. Then, cut it into thin, matchstick-like strips.
The amount of protein in carrot salad can vary based on the recipe, but typically, it's a low-protein dish with carrots, dressing, and herbs as the primary ingredients.
Both grated and shredded carrot salads have their own appeal. Grated carrot salad has a finer texture and absorbs dressing well. In contrast, shredded carrot salad has a more substantial texture and holds up nicely with other veggies.
Summer Carrot Salad Recipe 🥕
Ingredients
Carrot Salad Ingredient List
- 4-5 large carrots washed, trimmed, and julienne sliced (4 cups yield)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup shallot finely diced
- 1 tablespoon each: fresh parsley fresh cilantro, and chives
- 2 tablespoons chili oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the ingredients and tools for this recipe.
- Wash the carrots, then trim and julienne-slice them.
- Finely dice shallots.
- Squeeze lemon juice.
- Add the mayonnaise, heavy cream, shallot, parsley, cilantro, chives, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, chili oil, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar to a bowl. Mix well.
- Add the seasoned mixture to the carrots in a large bowl and mix well to incorporate.
- Taste, adjust the seasonings if needed, and taste again.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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8 Responses
I've never tried a carrot salad before, so I'm so excited to give this a shot! Thanks for sharing, it looks amazing!
Hi Harper:
Did you get a chance to try it? Let me know how it went.
Have a wonderful day!
Scott
This looks wonderful-- I love carrots, and that dressing sounds great!
Hi Courtney:
You will never look at carrots the same after you have this crunchy sassy salad.
Happy eating!
Scott
I buy this in the supermarche every week without the spice. Nothing in France is spicy. This is so good and easy to make without any of the additivies. Really tasty.
Hey Robin:
You're right - there aren't a lot of spicy foods in France. I need to fix that as soon as we move there!
Thanks for writing. Take care,
Scott