This easy and healthy Carrot Raisin Salad is made without mayonnaise and instead is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that compliments the carrots, raisins, and pineapple perfectly.

This Carrot Raisin Salad with Pineapple, just like Mandarin Orange Salad, is a favorite salad recipe with kids!

Carrot Raisin Salad is a southern dish that is classically made with carrots and raisins tossed in a sweetened mayonnaise dressing.

I gave this popular recipe a healthy makeover by swapping out the mayonnaise dressing made with refined sugars for a light and fresh pineapple dressing.

The result?! A fresh, wholesome carrot salad with plump, juicy raisins and sweet pineapple tidbits, in a refreshing, naturally-sweetened dressing.

But not only is this carrot salad better for you, but most kids also prefer it over the mayonnaise-heavy recipe. And just like you, I love it when my kids get excited to eat their veggies!

Notes on Ingredients Needed

Ingredients for Carrot Raisin Salad labled on counter.

Carrots: It is best to grate fresh, whole carrots yourself, rather than purchasing pre-shredded carrots. Not only is it more cost-effective to shred whole carrots using a box grater or food processor, but the pre-shredded carrots are much thicker and don't absorb the dressing as well as freshly grated carrots.
Raisins: Traditional brown raisins are classic in a carrot salad, but feel free to use golden raisins if that is what you have on hand.
Pineapple: Be sure to use pineapple tidbits in 100% pineapple juice. The tidbits are the perfect bite-size for this salad and you need the juice to plump up the raisins and for the dressing.
Honey: You need just a tiny bit of honey to sweeten this salad. While carrots and honey are a natural match, maple syrup works well in place of the honey, if that is what you have on hand or if you need this recipe to be vegan-friendly.
Rice Wine Vinegar: The mild vinegar helps to balance out the sweetness of this salad. If you don't have rice wine vinegar, mirin or white wine vinegar would work in its place.

How to Make Carrot Raisin Salad

Place the raisins in a small bowl and cover them with hot water.
Allow the raisins to soak while you shred the carrot and prepare the dressing. This lets the raisins plump up and really adds a juicy burst of flavor to this salad. If you are short on time, skip this step and add the raisins directly to the salad.

Raisins in pineapple juice being plumped up.

While carrots are soaking, peel and shred carrots.
Drain the pineapple tidbits, reserving 2 tablespoons of the juice.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, rice wine vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and a pinch of salt together.
Drain the raisins.
Add the carrots, pineapple tidbits, and drained raisins to the dressing, and toss well to coat.

Mixing Bowl with Carrot Raisin Salad Tossed Together.

Cover and refrigerate for one hour. This will allow the flavors to marry together and the carrots to soften slightly.

Serving Suggestions

Carrot Raisin Salad with Pineapple is one of my favorite quick side dishes to make for my kids. It pairs well with Homemade Chicken Tenders, Baked Fish Sticks, or Homemade Hot Pockets for an easy, family-friendly dinner. It also packs well in a lunchbox alongside Turkey Wraps or English Muffin Pizzas.

Carrot Raisin Salad also makes an unexpected and welcomed side dish for Easter Dinner when served alongside Baked Ham or Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham.

More Kid-Friendly Vegetable Recipes

If you give this Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe a try, please be sure to leave a comment and review below.

Carrot Raisin Salad

This Easy, Healthy Carrot Raisin salad is made without mayonnaise and instead is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that compliments the carrots, raisin, and pineapple perfectly.

4.96 from 21 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Refrigerate: 1

Total Time: 1 10

Servings:

Calories: 61kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup raisins
▢ ½ cup hot water
▢ 8 ounce can pineapple tidbits in 100% juice juice reserved
▢ 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
▢ 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 4 cups shredded carrots about 4 large carrots

Instructions

Place the raisins in a small mixing bowl and cover them with hot water. Let the raisins sit in the hot water to plump up for 5 to 10 minutes. Once the raisins have plumped up, drain off the water.
Drain the pineapple tidbits, reserving 2 tablespoons for the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the rice wine vinegar, honey, salt, and 2 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice. for the dressing. Add the carrots, pineapple tidbits, and plumped raisins to the dressing and toss well to combine.
Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Notes

Vegan Modification: In place of honey, use maple syrup to keep this salad vegan and paleo-friendly.

Storage: You can store leftover carrot salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Raisins: Feel free to use golden raisins in place of traditional raisins.

Pineapple: Be sure to use pineapple tidbits in 100% pineapple juice.

Vinegar: Use mirin or white wine vinegar in place of rice wine vinegar. Do not use apple cider vinegar, as the flavor will overwhelm this delicate salad.

Nutrition

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This recipe was originally published in 2018 but has been updated in 2022 with a few new tips.

Notes on Ingredients Needed

How to Make Carrot Raisin Salad

Serving Suggestions

More Kid-Friendly Vegetable Recipes

Carrot Raisin Salad

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

About Kristen Chidsey

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