This Shredded Carrot Salad with apple is a great make-ahead side dish that's healthy and full of fresh flavors. With just 6 ingredients, it completes any menu and is guaranteed to be a family favorite.
When I worked at Martha Stewart, most days everyone in the test kitchen would pull out leftover ingredients and throw together new creations for lunch. We would all share what we made in a potluck sort of way (we never went hungry!).
One day, with a lack of greens in the fridges for a fresh salad, my coworker pulled out some carrots and began shredding. She whipped up a quick carrot apple salad with a splash of homemade dressing.
I loved it! It was sweet, acidic, healthy, and crunchy -- the perfect side dish or simple lunch.
Why you'll love this recipe
I've made this easy salad for gatherings with friends and family over the years, and it's always a total crowd-pleaser. The basic recipe only requires 6-ingredients, and it is endlessly customizable.
I almost always have half a bag of carrots in the drawer, so this salad became my go-to fresh bite when there wasn't much in the test kitchen or my own fridge at home.
There's more to love about this apple carrot salad:
- Quick make-ahead recipe: It only takes 15 minutes to put this salad together. Enjoy immediately, or make it up to 12 hours in advance.
- Great anytime of the year: The classic flavors in this dish are timeless and perfect for any season of the year.
- Pairs well with most main courses: Whether you are enjoying a little grilled chicken, a sandwich, or even a bowl of soup, your dinner will be happier with a side of shredded carrot salad.
- Customizable: The basic recipe combines shredded carrots and diced apples. Use your creativity and available ingredients to adjust the dressing and mix-ins to your taste.
Looking for more ways to use up a half-bag of carrots? Try my Orange Glazed Carrots or Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots.
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Adding the lime juice and tart apple really made the difference in this simple salad. I brought it to a friend's house this past weekend for a pool party and everyone raved about it. Thanks for making me look good Tara!
- Julie
Ingredients
Combine simple fresh ingredients into a flavorful side dish that's totally irresistible. Here's a few ingredient tips to keep in mind as you get started. See recipe card for quantities.
- Carrots: Grate them or use a julienne peeler to cut them into thin pieces that will easily hold onto the light dressing.
- Tart apple: For crunch and a pop of sweetness. I'd recommend using Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or any other sweet-tart apple you enjoy.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and herby flavor. You can also substitute chopped cilantro or arugula.
- Lime juice: You can also use lemon juice if you don't have limes on hand.
- Honey: The honey is a great sweetener, but feel free to use maple syrup, agave or even a stevia or monk fruit sweetener as a sugar-free alternative.
- Kosher salt: Balances out the dressing and brings out the other flavors.
- Olive oil: I like to use an extra-virgin olive oil for flavor. The oil is part of the flavor of the salad, so you could also use a nutty or spicy olive oil, if you have it, or something more mild like avocado oil.
Salad mix-ins
For additional chew and sweetness, add raisins, currants, cranberries, or other dried fruit like apricots.
How to make shredded carrot salad with apple
Let's get started! Learn to make this salad by following this easy step-by-step photo tutorial. See recipe card for comprehensive directions.
- Step 1: Make the dressing by whisking together the lime juice, honey, and salt in a medium bowl. Then whisk in olive oil until fully combined. Set aside.
- Step 2: Peel and trim the carrots. Then use a box grater or julienne peeler to shred them into long thin strips.
- Step 3: Wash and core the apple. Slice and dice half of the apple into ¼-inch pieces.
- Step 4: Place the carrots and apples in a serving bowl.
- Step 5: Pour the dressing over the salad.
- Step 6: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and stir to combine.
Tara's top tips
Other spices and herbs to try: I love adding ground coriander to the dressing. You can swap the parsley for cilantro, basil, or even chopped arugula.
Easily shred the carrots: I usually shred the carrots by hand on a box grater or with a julienne peeler. But, when I'm in a big hurry or need to make a large batch, I use a food processor with the grating attachment. It's easy to use and much faster than shredding by hand.
Add to green salad: Dress up a traditional green salad by mixing in several spoonfuls of the carrot and apple salad. It tastes delicious all tossed together and is great for feeding a crowd.
Make ahead and storage
This is the perfect make-ahead salad. Simply prepare the salad, cover it, and store in the fridge for up to 12 hours before serving.
Chilled salad can stay delicious for up to 2 days in the fridge. The dressing will slightly pickle the carrots and make them extra flavorful.
Equipment
For shredding carrots, I use this Oxo box grater. The grating holes are close together, and it has a little catch-all box.
If you're making a larger batch, you can also shred them in a food processor with the grating attachment.
To make a stronger shred with longer strips of carrot, use a julienne peeler. This makes for a crunchier textured salad, that also looks pretty.
What to serve with carrot apple salad
This grated carrot salad pairs well with most dinners! Try it in combination with other sides like my Roast Parsnips With Sage Butter, Fluffy Mashed Potatoes, or Cheesy Cornbread. Or, serve it with one of these delicious protein options:
FAQ
Yes! Raw carrots are perfectly safe to eat. Just wash and peel them before shredding them.
Shredded carrots can add color, crunch, and extra nutrients to a variety of dishes. Add them to your favorite green salad or this Crunchy Chicken Noodle Salad.
Or, check out these recipes (they all use shredded carrots): Asian Crunch Salad, Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps, and Healthy Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps with Black Beans and Veggies.
When carrots are grated, they turn into small pieces about the size of cooked rice or green peas. The exact size depends on the size of the holes on the box grater or food processor.
When carrots are shredded, on the other hand, the resulting pieces are long and thin. The diameter of the shreds varies based on the size of the holes used to shred the carrots.
This salad is great with shredded, or grated carrots.
More flavorful side dishes
Love tasty sides? These are some of my favorites:
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📖 Recipe
Shredded Carrot Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1½ teaspoons honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ pound carrots (peeled, trimmed and shredded)
- ½ tart green apple (cored and cut into ¼-inch dice)
- 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- For dressing, in a medium bowl, whisk together juice, honey, and salt. Drizzle in oil, whisking constantly, until combined well; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine carrots, apple, and parsley. Toss with dressing and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Mary Bench says
Such a fresh salad!
Lindsay Steele says
Such a perfect side dish. It's unique and tasty!
Julie says
Adding the lime juice and tart apple really made the difference in this simple salad. I brought it to a friend's house this past weekend for a pool party and everyone raved about it. Thanks for making me look good Tara!