Easy Carrot Salad Recipe

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!

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!

Jump to:

• Prep and Cook Time
• Ingredients
• Let’s Prepare our Carrot Salad
• How to Make
• Recipe Variations
• Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• FAQ
• Best Slaw Recipes
• Recipe Inspiration
• Recipe

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

Best Slaw Recipes

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.

★★★★★ 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

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!