Classic French Carrot Salad
I know I keep repeating myself but I really love salads 🥗! I find them versatile. Some can be a great meal while others are delicious sides. With fresh produce, the majority of them are healthy. They’re also ideal for potlucks and picnics.
As a meal, I think of Julienne Salad, Buffalo Chicken Salad, Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad, Pittsburgh Steak Salad, Cobb, Winter Citrus Salad, etc. When it comes to sides, there’s Caesar Salad, Tabbouleh, Cucumber Salad, Spring Pea Salad, and the list goes on 📜.
Another side that I’ve been eating since childhood is the Classic French Carrot Salad! It’s such an easy recipe plus it’s perfect for pairing with many proteins 🐂🐓🐟. Served with a lovely Dijon mustard vinaigrette, this side is packed with gorgeous flavor!
I remember my mother and aunts serving this salad as a side. It was probably the most loved one among us kids. The sweetness from the carrots 🥕 and the raisins, and the crunch from the nuts was enough to make it any of my cousins favorite!
Since then, I modified the recipe… of course, what else is new 😏! Instead of using chopped walnuts, I switched for toasted slivered almonds. I added chopped green onions and parsley. If I can find colored carrots, they are my first choice over the regular ones- it’s esthetically better looking.
When it comes to the vinaigrette in this Classic French Carrot Salad, I did the same. Mom and aunts were using vegetable oil… I use a mix of grapeseed and extra virgin olive oil. Instead of just lemon juice, I pour in orange juice 🍊. It adds that gorgeous citrus note in the background.
There was always Dijon mustard and honey 🍯 from our family recipe. The extra ingredient I like adding is hot paprika. Just a couple pinches of it brings on a little heat to the vinaigrette. You can use cayenne instead but I prefer paprika.
From start to finish, it takes maybe 10 minutes ⏰. I like using the food processor with the shredding disc which takes less than a minute to shred 1 pound of carrots… awesome! After the carrots are done giving you about 4 cups, the rest goes pretty fast; make the vinaigrette, mix everything and voilà!
As much as Pasta, Greek and Potato Salads are a summer favorite, you might want to try this Classic French Carrot Salad! This healthy salad 💚 is a tasty one to make this season plus it’s ideal for picnics and potlucks!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
Check out these other tasty salad recipes… 😀
– Salade Niçoise
– Israeli Salad
– Egyptian Farro Salad
– Glass Noodle Salad
– Moroccan Potato Salad
– Quinoa Beet Salad
– Salade Lyonnaise ~ Lyonnaise Salad
and for even more salad recipes 🥗, click on this link… Recipe Category • Salads & Dressings
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Classic French Carrot Salad
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Ingredients
SALAD
- 1 lb. carrots, peeled and shredded
- 1/2 cup sultana raisins optional
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1 large green onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. parsley, finely chopped tips & tricks
VINAIGRETTE
- 2 tbsp. grapeseed oil tips & tricks
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice tips & tricks
- 1 tbsp. (heaping) Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp. honey tips & tricks
- 1/4 tsp. hot paprika, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (I always use mixed peppercorns)
- 1/4 tsp. ground Himalayan pink salt
Directions
- Shred the carrots using the food processor with the shredding disc.
- Transfer them to a large bowl. Add raisins, slivered almonds and green onion. Toss and set aside.
- In a measuring cup, add both oils, lemon juice, orange juice, mustard, honey, hot paprika, salt and pepper. Whisk until nicely blended; taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Pour in vinaigrette over the salad and toss until ingredients are coated.
- Sprinkle on parsley before transferring to the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
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