This carrot salad recipe takes only 15 minutes to make. The zesty lemon-ginger dressing contributes to a fresh and healthy side dish perfect for any meal or potluck!

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Looking for an easy side dish that’s bursting with flavor?
This 15-minute grated carrot salad recipe is just what you need!
Whenever it’s a quick side dish for dinner, a prep idea, or a potluck favorite, this simple salad will quickly become your go-to recipe.
You will also love how versatile it is.
Add in chopped nuts, mix in some dried cranberries, or toss in more fresh herbs for added flavor.
No matter how you customize it, this easy carrot slaw recipe is sure to impress! So, let’s make it together!
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Prep and Cook Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (active)
- Chilling Time: 1-2 hours (passive, optional but recommended)
Total Time: 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours 15 minutes if chilled)
Watch the video on the recipe card to see how easy this recipe is to make!
Ingredients
- Carrots: Fresh is best. For a pop of color, add in rainbow carrots.
- Parsley: Fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley adds both color and flavor. If you can, avoid using curly-leaf parsley or dry parsley. In a pinch, frozen parsley can be used.
- Olive oil: Use avocado oil or any other vegetable oil for a lighter option.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors. Lime juice works well, too.
- Garlic: For a milder flavor, reduce the amount or use garlic powder.
- Fresh ginger: Ginger gives the dressing a zesty warmth. If you don’t have fresh ginger, a pinch of ground ginger can be used. Adjust to taste.
- Kosher salt and pepper: Adjust based on your preference.
Let’s Prepare our Carrot Salad
To prepare this delicious salad, begin by bringing 5-6 medium carrots, one bunch of fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, one garlic clove and ginger to your workspace.
Prep the carrots: Scrub the raw carrots under cool water, pat dry, and trim ¼ inches from both ends. Then, use a vegetable peeler to remove the thin outer layer.
Use the large holes of your box grater to grate directly into a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, use the shredding blade or grating attachment of a food processor to shred the carrots. Set aside for now.
Prep the parsley: Remove the fresh parsley leaves from the stems. Rinse them under cool water. Use a salad spinner to remove any excess water. Finely chop using a sharp knife. You will need 1 cup. Add it to the bowl of shredded carrots.
Prep the garlic and the ginger: Remove the papery skin from the garlic clove, then cut off the tips. You may either mince or press the garlic. You will also need ¼ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger. Place them both in a small bowl.
You are now ready to create the most amazing-tasting carrot slaw!
How to Make
Now that the carrots and aromatics have been transformed to the appropriate size, let’s make the vinaigrette.
Whisk together ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl. Add the minced garlic and ginger. Whisk together. Taste and adjust seasonings. Alternatively, combine all of the ingredients in a small mason jar and shake well.
Add the grated carrots and the chopped parsley to the dressing. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon until evenly coated. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for a few hours for optimal results.
Serve chilled.
Recipe Variations
If you want to add some more flavor and crunchy texture, consider adding one (or more) of these extra add-ins:
- toasted nuts (almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts )
- slow roasted pumpkin, sunflower or toasted sesame seeds
- dried fruit such as dates, cranberries, or golden raisins
- legumes such as lentils, chickpeas or black beans
- crumbled feta cheese
- chopped green onions or grated lemon zest
- fresh mint leaves or chives
Tips
- Make this simple salad at least two hours before serving for the best-tasting carrot salad. This short period of time allows the salt to draw out some of the moisture from the carrots, creating a flavorful dressing.
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve to maintain the freshness of the carrots.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this tangy salad as a great side dish with grilled chicken or lamb chops. It also makes a great topping for fish tacos and burgers.
For a fun twist, use the carrot salad as a filling for wraps, flatbread, piadina, or sandwiches. It pairs well with hummus or your favorite spread.
FAQ
You can use any type of fresh carrots that are available to you. Try multi-colored or rainbow carrots if you’re looking for a different look.
Shredded carrots provide more surface area for the dressing to cling to. This means that each bite of salad has the perfect amount of crunch and will be full of flavor! In addition, they are easier to mix with the other ingredients and they absorb more of the dressing.
There are two types of parsley that are commonly used in recipes: Italian flat-leaf and curly parsley. Curly parsley is the type that is often used as a garnish, while Italian flat-leaf parsley is more commonly used in cooked dishes for its bright and aromatic qualities. For this savory carrot salad, you’ll want to use Italian flat-leaf.
Store leftover carrot salad in an airtight container or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. It will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator. I recommend enjoying it within two days for the best flavor.
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Recipe Inspiration
We had so much fun cooking and baking together during my daughter’s recent visit.
One afternoon, I made this very simple carrot salad. My daughter (who loves experimenting with food more than I do) suggested adding ginger and garlic.
I couldn’t believe the difference it made after just a couple of hours of it “marinating” in the refrigerator.
This 15-minute carrot salad is a great way to add color and flavor to any meal. With only a few simple ingredients, you can make this healthy salad recipe and a tasty dish that everyone will love.
Be sure to try this recipe the next time you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish!
Do you have a favorite 15-minute recipe? Share it in the comments below! I’m always looking for new recipes to try.
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community, where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this basic carrot salad, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Easy Carrot Salad Recipe
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Ingredients
- 5-6 medium carrots approx 3½ cups (shredded)
- 1 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 clove garlic medium, minced or pressed
- ¼ teaspoon ginger fresh, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Toss together the shredded carrots and minced parsley in a large mixing bowl,
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing until they form an emulsion.
- Combine the salad dressing with the grated carrots and the chopped parsley.
- Mix everything together until evenly coated. Refrigerate for a few hours for optimal results.
- Serve chilled.
- Step-by-step photos can be found in the article. You can also watch the video on the recipe card to see how easy this recipe is to make!
Video
Notes
- Make this simple salad at least two hours before serving for the best-tasting carrot salad. This short period of time allows the salt to draw out some of the moisture from the carrots, creating a flavorful dressing.
- Fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley adds both color and flavor to this lovely salad. If you can, avoid using curly-leaf parsley or dry parsley. In a pinch, frozen parsley can be used.
Nutrition
I originally published this post on March 22, 2022 and republished it on April 4, 2025 with updated content, photos and a video. Thanks for sharing!
ur pal val
So easy and refreshing. Will be making this again 🙂
Maria
So thrilled to read this! Thanks Val!