Carrot Raisin Salad Traditional 3 Ingredient Recipe
Carrot Raisin Salad is one of those old-time, church potluck, family reunion recipes that takes us down memory lane while satisfying the taste buds with full flavor. You can make this classic recipe with just three ingredients and make your family happy. 
Satisfyingly crunchy, sweet and crisp, this salad appeals to the senses. The colorful mixture of orange, brown and white is pleasing to the eye. The easy recipe steps certainly fit our busy lifestyle, since it only takes minutes to prepare this salad.
When the temperatures go up, appetites at my house go down. Nobody wants to eat much. Certainly they don’t want a hot, heavy meal. There are some summer days when it’s even too hot and steamy to fire up the grill. Those are the days when we want to eat cool and crunchy foods, if we eat at all.
Not eating on hot days isn’t really a good idea. I mean, it sounds acceptable at face value, since all you want to do is sit on the deck with a tall cold drink. But, the fact is, we need some sort of nutrition to have the strength to lift that glass.
If you add a cold cut sandwich to your plate with this crunchy Carrot Raisin Salad, you’ll have a meal that you don’t mind eating even on the hottest day. In fact, I tested that lunch menu just last week with the family. Sure enough, they were hungry after all.
[bctt tweet=”Crunchy sweet Carrot Raisin Salad, good to eat on even the hottest days. This classic recipe takes only three ingredients. ” username=”ApronFreeCook”]
I used the baby carrots and sliced them into little circle slices. You could slice the baby carrots into long strips. You could use large carrots and slice them on the diagonal. You could cut them into little squares. You could shred the carrots.
You can purchase pre-sliced or pre-shredded carrots from your grocer. Honestly, there is no wrong way to cut up the carrots you use in this salad.
I had the baby carrots in the refrigerator. So, that’s what I used. If I was planning ahead and working on a grocery list / weekly menu,
I’d see what carrots were on sale at my grocery store. If you have a garden and your carrots are ready, this is a great recipe for you!
Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 c Carrots
- 3/4 c Raisins
- 1/2 c Mayonnaise
Recipe Directions:
- Slice or chop your carrots until you have 2 cups of pieces.
- Toss all ingredients together.
- Chill 30 minutes and serve.
 
 
Approximate Nutritional Information:
Servings Per Recipe: 4, Amount Per Serving: Calories: 320, Fat: 24g, Cholesterol: 0g, Sodium: 197mg, Carbs: 30g, Protein: 2g
Make It a Meal:
As mentioned, you can serve this salad beside a sandwich and call it lunch. You could add this dish to a cookout for a great side with burgers or chicken. Triple the recipe and take it to your next church potluck or family reunion.
Variations:
Add some diced celery or onion for additional crunch. Replace the regular raisins with white raisins. Replace the mayonnaise with your favorite salad dressing.
Regarding the use of mayonnaise … I’m not going to tell you to use mayonnaise or salad dressing, it’s a personal preference. I use the term mayonnaise in this recipe, however, I’m a Miracle Whip girl. So what I call mayonnaise is technically considered salad dressing. If you prefer Hellman’s (or that sort of mayonnaise) then use it. This recipe tastes great no matter which variety you use!
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Thanks you for a new way to eat raw carrots! Love the idea of carrots & raisins in a salad.
You’re welcome! It’s tasty and crunchy … all those raw carrots pack a crunch! The raisins bring out the sweet – everybody’s happy!
Such a nice way to eat carrots, and so easy to make only 3 ingredients!
Always looking for a new way to make carrots taste a bit different.
I bet this is a total hit with the kiddos! Looks like great finger food.
It totally is! And the rest of the picky eaters too … they know exactly what they are eating, so it’s all good.
Love how simple and delicious this is!
Giselle,
Let me know how you family likes it!
What a quick and easy recipe! I love that it’s only 3 ingredients that I have in my house right now!
Simple is good! And who doesn’t have these three ingredients on hand?
My daughter would love this! her favourites all in one tasty dish
I think your daughter and I would get along!
My grandmother used to make a carrot-raising salad very similar to yours. Oh it brings so many good memories!
Love those old recipes, don’t we?! Food is about so much more than just energy – the memories packed into a meal can rejuvenate the soul as well as the body.
My daughter loves eating raw carrots and she loves raisins.. I must make this for her. I bet she will love it.
Do try it, Veena! I’m sure she will love it. I’ve yet to meet anybody who likes carrots or raisins that doesn’t like this salad.
This 3 ingredient salad looks so wonderful n time saving. Most of the time I forget to make salad is because of all those veggies+combination + dressings. But this just changes everything.
Oh! Molly! Keep it simple, that’s my motto! Too many steps in recipes intimidate me and I usually just pass them on without making that recipe. I like the simple things because they are time saving, but also allow you to get the full flavor of the ingredients.
This recipe reminds me so much of my mom. She loved to make her carrot and raisin salad. In fact, it was a regular dish on Sundays at our house. Thanks for the memories.
You’re welcome Byron! Mix up a batch for yourself and wallow in those good memories!
I remember my mom making this when I was growing up! I hadn’t thought of this in years, but now I want to whip up a batch!
Do It! Do It! You’ll be glad you did. Make a bowl, slowly eat it, treasure the memories. It’ll be good for your soul.
So easy and simple! I bet it would be delicious with greek yogurt too for a little extra protein boost. Perfect summer salad.
Greek yogurt would lighten up the taste while adding protein, you are so right. I make this salad often in the summer when it’s too hot to eat a heavy meal.
What a great way to get your carrots eaten without having them plain or cooked. I love the sweet touch of raisins in your salad. I haven’t had a carrot salad in years. You’ve inspired me to make it.
Plain, crunchy, raw carrots are definitely a mood thing for me. This combination makes them palatable any time!
I’m always on the look out for new salad ideas. This sounds like a delicious combination and I’m with you on the heat factor and not want as many hot meals
Try this one out and let me know what your family thinks, Stephanie!
Yum! I’ve never tried carrots and raisins together, but this looks and sounds delicious. I think my family would love it!
Do give it a try … make a small batch if you’re uncertain … then if you/they love it, you can make more!
Classic dish perfect for Easter Brunch. Creamy, sweet and great color. Thanks for the recipe.
Adriana,
It sure is perfect for Easter! The kids will love the carrot – bunny connection. The adults will love the kids eating more veggies!
I agree the Miracle Whip is the way to go! Especially for salads. For regular items not so much. This salad is my grandfather’s favorite salad and I would never eat it with him because the shredded carrots seemed weird to me. I love that these are sliced to give it more texture!
Jennifer, I know a lot of people who use shredded carrots, but in this recipe that tastes funny to me. I know, I know, the shape doesn’t change the flavor really … but …
I like the cut /sliced carrots in this one.
Woot! This is the carrot salad I grew up with. Super simple, super delicious!!
Love it, right?! Have you been to a church potluck that didn’t have this salad on the table? Here in Ohio, it’s a given! And, it’s always popular!
What a lovely idea! I’ve never been to a church potluck, so I can’t say if it’s something that always appears – but I bet when it does, it disappears fast!
LOL It might be a MidWestern thing … impossible to grow up and not be exposed to church potlucks!
Wow! Does this take me back? I remember this carrot raisin salad being served my mother when I was younger. This was always one of my favorites and your recipe is absolutely perfect! thank you for bringing back such wonderful memories with such an amazing dish
You’re welcome, Heather!
I know so many people who associate good food, good times and good memories. I’m glad to be able to give you a moment back in time.
Love a good simple recipe like this! The perfect after school snack for the family!
Hanady,
You’re right, this would be a great after school snack! I never thought of that! A little sweet, a little crunch, a little healthy…every mom’s goal.
My boys like both carrots and raisin and I have never thought of combining the both like these to make this wonderful salad. I am definitely making this for them over the weekend. Thanks for the inspiration!
Glad to help! I’m always looking for something new to put on the menu, so I know completely how exciting it is to find something fresh and exciting to add. I hope your family loves this salad!