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    Carrot Raisin Salad

    Allergy Friendly Recipes Dairy-Free Recipes Kid Friendly Real Food Salads Side Dishes March 9, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 16 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Carrot Raisin Salad is a simple, refreshing salad that gets everyone excited to eat their veggies! Instead of a classically heavy mayonnaise-based carrot salad, this salad has been given a healthy make-over and features shredded carrots, raisins, pineapple tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing.

    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 Salad with Raisis in blue bowl.

    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.
    Carrot and Raisin Salad in Blue Bowl.

    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

    • Orange Glazed Carrots
    • Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Green Beans Almondine
    • Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
    • Instant Pot Glazed Carrots

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

    Carrot Raisin Salad with pinepple in a blue serving bowl.

    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 minutes minutes
    Refrigerate: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    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
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    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

    Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 279mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 10690IU | Vitamin C: 4.3mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

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

    « Green Beans Almondine
    Homemade Chocolate Syrup »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Rebecca

      April 04, 2021 at 4:55 pm

      5 stars
      I was searching for a recipe for carrot salad, without mayo, to serve today for Easter. Your recipe caught my eye and I am so glad it did. It is fabulous! I experimented with the dressing and tested out using honey vs. maple syrup. I liked the maple syrup better as it seemed to be sweeter than the honey and I liked the way it balanced out the tartness of the vinegar. The only change I made was to stir in a little olive oil before serving to give the salad a bit more richness. Thank you, Kristen, for a delicious recipe that I will be sure to enjoy throughout the year!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 05, 2021 at 7:41 am

        I am so glad your family enjoyed Rebecca!

        Reply
    2. Terry Bothwell

      July 20, 2020 at 6:12 pm

      I made the carrot raisin salad..... with pineapple. Put honey and rice vinegar as called.
      It was not what I expected. My family said they wouldn't care if I didn't make it again 🤷.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 21, 2020 at 6:42 am

        I am so sorry your family did not care for this Terry! Were you expecting a creamier or sweeter salad?

        Reply
    3. Natalie

      April 18, 2019 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this! Had to use white wine vinegar but still delicious

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 19, 2019 at 7:14 am

        So glad you enjoyed.

        Reply
    4. Diane

      April 08, 2019 at 5:43 am

      5 stars
      Hi! Great recipe. I’m babysitting and they don’t have mayo, so this was perfect. I did substitute lime for the vinegar, again because they didn’t have rice wine vinegar. I love it! Thank you, Kristen!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 08, 2019 at 6:17 am

        I am so glad you were able to enjoy this with what you have on hand!

        Reply
        • Sharon

          December 12, 2020 at 11:39 pm

          I usually make it with dressing at all always been a crowd pleaser at potluck.My favorite salad

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            December 13, 2020 at 8:08 am

            I am so glad you and your guests enjoy Sharon! Thanks for sharing!

            Reply
    5. Shirley Masongezi

      March 14, 2019 at 2:57 am

      We were so disappointed to walk into Chic-Fil-A one day, a couple years ago to find out they dropped Carrot-Raisin salad from the menu! We loved it. So, I tried my best but it just wasn’t a good replica. I’m so excited today to find your recipe that I’m preparing it as I text 😋. We’re missionaries now working in Central Africa and wanted you to know what a blessing you have been to me this morning!!! Thanks again.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 14, 2019 at 7:50 am

        Oh Shirley!! What a BLESSING you are!! We will be praying for you as you reach people in Central Africa. I am humbled to do something small for you today 🙂

        Reply
    6. Renee Goerger

      August 06, 2018 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this before and it's a real winner with the entire family! It tastes like sunshine to me!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 06, 2018 at 7:27 pm

        I love the way you described this as "sunshine" Renee!

        Reply
    7. Claire

      August 06, 2018 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      My kids just love this salad!
      They both love carrots but we are going through the wobbly tooth stage so they are always forgoing carrots and crunch apples because they hurt too much.
      This is so much easier for them to eat 😀

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 06, 2018 at 7:30 pm

        YAY!!! I am so glad your kids were able to enjoy just like my son with his braces!

        Reply

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    Carrot Raisin Salad is a simple, refreshing salad that gets everyone excited to eat their veggies! Instead of a classically heavy mayonnaise-based carrot salad, this salad has been given a healthy make-over and features shredded carrots, raisins, pineapple tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    Carrot Raisin Salad is a simple, refreshing salad that gets everyone excited to eat their veggies! Instead of a classically heavy mayonnaise-based carrot salad, this salad has been given a healthy make-over and features shredded carrots, raisins, pineapple tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing.

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