Ever wondered how to take a bunch of carrots and turn it into a can’t-stop-eating-it Carrot Salad? The French know! Grate them then toss with a simple yet mouthwatering Honey Mustard Lemon Dressing. It adds tons of flavour and makes the carrot “juicy” with a Coleslaw-like texture.
One bite and you’ll know this is a keeper!
Carrot Salad
If you’re like me, you always have carrots in the fridge.
Also, if you’re like me, you’re “always” scratching around for quick vegetable side dishes to serve with dinner.
So – ever thought about making Carrot Salad??
It’s quick, it’s unbelievably tasty, and you’ve probably got everything you need to make it right now. And you can feel very tres chic because grated carrot salad is actually a French dish!!
You’ll love how this salad gets nice and “juicy” – just like Coleslaw!
Here’s what you need
Carrots are kind of mandatory here (being a Carrot Salad recipe and all 😂) but other than that, you can switch out the other ingredients:
green onion – this adds a touch of freshness, easily substituted with red onion, eschallots/French onion or even very finely sliced normal onions;
parsley – more for visual than anything, so feel free to leave it out. Coriander/cilantro is also really lovely here, as are chives and chervil;
dijon mustard – American or wholegrain mustard will also be fine here. It’s used for thickening and a touch of touch. Just not hot English mustard – too spicy!
Lemon juice – white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, champagne, sherry or any other slightly less harsh vinegar than plain white vinegar will work a treat here.
As for how to make it – it’s nothing more than shaking up the Dressing in a jar then tossing everything together in a bowl.
French Carrot Salad!
This Carrot Salad is actually a riff on French Carrot Salad. Fresh vegetable sides are few and far between at traditional Parisian bistros, but if they do have one, it’s probably a grated carrot salad.
A traditional grated French Carrot Salad is dressed more simply with just lemon juice and olive oil. It’s fresh and light, intended to cut through rich French food. This Honey Dijon Mustard dressed version has more flavour – so much so that I’ve had it as a light meal on more than one occasion. Try piling it on toasted bread spread with ricotta!
What to serve with Carrot Salad
Carrot Salad is versatile enough to pair with any protein. It pairs with a simple Juicy Baked Chicken Breast as well as it does a golden seared Marinated Pork Chop. It’s fresh enough to serve alongside a rich Garlic Butter Steak and flavourful enough to be a striking side for a simple piece of Crispy Pan Fried Fish.
And it’s just as suited for a simple midweek meal like everybody’s favourite Meatloaf, yet unique enough for a dinner party. Try it on the side of grand centrepieces like:
Herb and Garlic Roast Chicken
Epic Prime Rib (Standing Rib Roast) – or Marinated Roast Beef
Brown Sugar Garlic Butter Roast Pork – or Roast Pork with Crispy Crackling
Classic Sunday Roast Lamb Leg OR an incredible slow cooked Lamb Shoulder
Enjoy! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Video typo! Says coriander instead of parsley. It should say PARSLEY! Please follow recipe card below.
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Incredible, Simple French Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 4 carrots , medium, peeled
- 2 green onion stems , finely sliced on the diagonal
- 1/4 cup parsley , finely chopped (optional)
Honey Dijon Mustard dressing
- 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp lemon juice , fresh
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Grate the carrot use a standard box grater (or the shredder attachment of food processor). Aim for strands about 4cm/1.5" long.
- Place in a bowl with green onion and parsley.
- Shake Dressing ingredients in a jar. Pour over carrot, toss then serve.
Recipe Notes:
- Green onion – 1/2 red onion or 1 eschallot / French onion finely sliced
- Dijon mustard – normal American or wholegrain mustard
- Lemon Juice – same amount of white or red wine vinegar, champagne or sherry vinegar
- Honey – maple syrup (same amount) or 1.5 tsp sugar
Nutrition Information:
More Carrot recipes
Life of Dozer
Okaaaaay Dozer…. you can have some carrot peel!!
Honestly one of my favorite salads of all time now. How to turn a boring vegetable into a culinary delight-and all with simple ingredients. I applaude you 👏👏
Damn! So good!
Quick and easy salad to make up if your buying takeaway- saves money buying a salad when you can whip this up in no time!
I also added celery and spinach because I also had that in the fridge that needed to be used.
Hey there Nagi , just a question in video you’ve added coriander but in recipe you’ve got parsley . If I use coriander is it the same amount as the parsley ?
Hi Kerrie! Sorry about the typo, it should say parsley in the video! But actually, coriander would be super good in this too for a different flavour angle. And yes, I would use the same amount. N x
Thanks for this – it is wonderful in a sandwich with hummus!
Great idea
Love carrot salad! Can’t wait to try this one. Everything you make is spot on!
Thanks so much Kathy!! N x
Hi,
Nice tasting salad, the only problem for my calorie controlled diet is you didn’t rate the calories in the dressing. 1 tbs of olive oil as 119 calories so you dressing added a whopping 500+ calories to your salad!
Hi Stuart, you’re incorrect sorry – the recipe INCLUDES the dressing, so for all these ingredients and assume 5 servings as per the recipe – the calories are 125 per serve, dressing and all!
Hi,
That is great news! I love carrots and honey and dijon mustard I never thought of putting them all together. I use your recipes not just because they are normally very nice but also because of the calorie content information.
Hi Nagi – thanks for another great looking recipe. I see that you add chopped coriander to the salad in the video but don’t list it in the ingredients. What amount would be suitable please?
Had To makes with brown onion and one tsp of english mustard tho your said not to it still turned out great!
So good and easy!!!!
Great Recipe. As I do with Coleslaw, tweaked it with chopped Apple. Delicious
Sounds delicious Mike!! N x
I only found your website by google recommendation. This simple salad was a big surprise, very tasty and I don’t really like carrots. Only thing I was missing was a little bit of a fresh chillies mixed in.
I also cooked a poached chicken using your method and it was very juicy and soft. Great collection of recipes. Greetings from Poland
I’m so glad you found me Jarek, & I’m so happy you’re loving the recipes so far!! N x
This is delicious! We had it on crusty rolls with pulled bbq brisket and it worked so well. We also had your potato salad as a side. The French dressing in the potatoes was a game changer. Thanks Nagi.
Once more a delicious recipe!! My husband and son enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing, your the best ;o)
This carrot salad was amazing! It will definitely be a staple in my kitchen. We ate it as a side, on pulled chicken sandwiches, which was phenomenal!!!! AND I used the same dressing with a bag of coleslaw to put on pork tacos. OMG FABULOUS!!!!