• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Flavour and Savour
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Healthy Salad Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Healthy Salad Recipes » Raw Carrot Salad with Honey-Dijon Dressing

    Raw Carrot Salad with Honey-Dijon Dressing

    Published: Feb 16, 2023 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Image with text for raw carrot salad.
    Image with text overly for raw carrot salad with honey-Dijon dressing.
    Image with text for raw carrot salad with honey-Dijon dressing.

    This fresh and flavourful raw Carrot Salad with Honey-Dijon dressing is the perfect addition to any meal. With the sweet tanginess of dried cranberries, the crunch of toasted sunflower seeds, and the subtle kick of green onions and fresh herbs, this salad is both nutritious and delicious. Try it as a side dish or a light lunch option!

    A bowl of carrot salad with cranberries and sunflower seeds with a small dish of hemp hearts beside it.

    Enjoy a crunchy carrot salad with a healthy honey-mustard dressing. This colourful salad is packed with flavourful ingredients, including dried cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, green onions, and fresh herbs.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🔁 Possible Variations
    • 👍🏼 Helpful Tips
    • ❓Reader's Questions
    • 🍽 What to serve with carrot salad
    • ⏰ Storage Instructions
    • 🗒 More healthy salad recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • A last-minute side dish! If you're like me, one thing that is always in your fridge is a bag of carrots. Grate a few carrots, add a few "extras," toss with the most delicious honey-mustard dressing and you have a healthy side for dinner.
    • Budget-friendly. Carrots are available year-round and are still relatively inexpensive compared to other vegetables.
    • Vegetarian. Here's a dairy-free, gluten-free salad you can feel good about serving your family and friends.
    • The Dressing! This oh-so-popular Honey-Mustard Dressing puts this simple carrot salad over the top!

    🛒 Ingredients

    You'll find a complete list of ingredients with amounts in the recipe card below. But before we get to the full recipe, here are a few notes about the ingredients.

    Labelled ingredients for carrot salad with honey-mustard dressing.
    • carrots you'll shred or grate these. Use the freshest carrots you can find. You might think that tossing older carrots with dressing will revive them, but . . . they're still going to be old carrots!
    • dried cranberries add sweetness and a pop of colour. Choose organic, unsweetened dried cranberries.
    • sunflower seeds for protein and a little crunch. Roast them yourself or buy them pre-roasted if you're short on time. (Although, you can roast raw sunflower seeds in about 5 minutes!)
    • green onions for flavour and colour.
    • hemp hearts for garnish (optional). Hemp seeds are high in protein.
    • Honey-Dijon Dressing made with apple cider vinegar gives the perfect finishing touch!

    🔪 Instructions

    Here are step-by-step instructions to make this raw carrot salad recipe perfectly.

    • Begin by toasting the sunflower seeds in a skillet over medium heat. Heat 1 teaspoon oil, then add the sunflower seeds. Stir frequently and watch carefully, as they burn easily. Remove from the heat when they are lightly browned, then sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt.
      Sunflower seeds in a small skillet.
    • Next, combine the dressing ingredients in a small jar. Shake to emulsify.
      Honey-Dijon dressing in a small Mason jar.
    • Use a food processor, a box grater, or a julienne tool to shred the carrots.
      Shredded carrots in the bowl of a food processor.
    • Slice the green onions thinly on the diagonal. Finely chop the cilantro or parsley.
    • In a large bowl, combine carrots with cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, finely sliced green onion, and cilantro or parsley. Toss with honey-Dijon dressing.
      Ingredients for carrot salad in a glass bowl.
    • Finally, sprinkle with hemp hearts just before serving.

    🔁 Possible Variations

    How to make this raw carrot salad extra special!

    Are you thinking this shredded carrot salad may be refreshing and healthy, but just a little plain? Here are some ways to elevate your carrot salad:

    1. Add some sweetness: Carrots are naturally sweet, but adding dried fruit like raisins or dried apricots can give the salad an extra burst of sweetness.
    2. Include some crunch: Carrots have a great crunch, but you can add more texture by including other crunchy ingredients like finely chopped walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds.
    3. Use a flavourful dressing: While this recipe calls for honey-mustard dressing, it's also delicious with ginger-orange dressing. I also tested this carrot salad with my favourite Hollyhock Nutritional Yeast Dressing, but in a taste test, the Honey-Dijon dressing won, hands down.
    4. Add a little kick: If you like a little heat, try adding a few chili flakes or finely chopped fresh jalapeño to your carrot salad.
    5. Experiment with herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or dill can add a burst of flavor to a carrot salad. Try chopping up your favourite fresh herbs and tossing them into the salad.
    6. Mix in other veggies: While carrots are the star of the show in a shredded carrot salad, adding other veggies like cucumber, bell pepper, or radish can add more color and flavour and texture. Grated apple is delicious too. Just toss it with a little lemon juice to prevent it from turning brown before adding it to the salad.

    👍🏼 Helpful Tips

    Shredding carrots in a food processor makes this a quick recipe, but it doesn't take much longer if you're using a box grater. If you want to get fancy, you can use a julienne tool.

    A box grater and grated carrots.

    ❓Reader's Questions

    Is raw carrot salad healthy?

    When TikTok's Raw Carrot Salad went viral, all kinds of health claims abounded, including the most popular one, that it helps to balance hormones. Others claim that it may help to relieve migraines.

    Many recommended that we should be eating carrot salad every day. "Life-changing" was how it has been described.

    Despite the hype on TikTok, raw carrot salad is nothing new! I've made it for years, and my mom used to make it with raisins and apples when I was a little girl.

    Carrots can be part of a healthy diet. They are a good source of fiber and an excellent source of Vitamin A. Do you remember when your parents told you to eat your carrots so you could see in the dark?

    So, like any foods, eat in moderation and enjoy a healthy crunchy carrot salad from time to time!

    Close up view of carrot salad with cranberries in a bowl with a fork.

    🍽 What to serve with carrot salad

    This easy carrot salad makes a great side for chicken or fish dishes. Try it with any of the following.

    • Air Fryer Almond-Crusted Chicken
    • Easy Baked Lemon Chicken
    • Asian Glazed Garlic Chicken
    • Honey-Dijon Turmeric Chicken
    • Crispy Fennel-Crusted Salmon
    • Bourbon Maple Glazed Salmon
    • 6 Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    ⏰ Storage Instructions

    To store: Refrigerate this raw carrot salad in a covered container. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

    🗒 More healthy salad recipes

    • Greek chicken Cobb Salad ingredients in rows on a large white platter.
      Greek Chicken Cobb Salad - Family Style
    • Arugula Pear and Parmesan salad in an oval bowl with a small bowl of maple walnuts beside.
      Arugula Pear and Parmesan Salad with Maple Walnuts
    • A bowl of broccoli quinoa salad with grapes and walnuts.
      Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing
    • Two small black rectangular plates with chopsticks and apple pear slaw.
      Asian Pear Slaw with Ginger and Lime

    When you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating below. I love hearing from you! Thanks in advance. Subscribe to my newsletter and receive new recipes delivered straight to your inbox once a week.

    📖 Recipe

    Overhead view of carrot salad with cranberries and sunflower seeds in a shallow bowl.

    Shredded Carrot Salad with Honey-Dijon Dressing

    This healthy raw Carrot Salad with Honey-Dijon dressing has added flavour and crunch from dried cranberries and sunflower seeds.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salads and Dressings, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, French
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 273kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    food processor
    box grater
    mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups shredded carrots
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup sunflower seeds, toasted in 1 teaspoon oil and ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 2 medium green onions, finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoons cilantro or parsley, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon hemp hearts, for garnish

    Honey-Dijon Dressing

    • ⅓ cup olive oil, extra virgin
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1.5 tablespoons honey
    • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Begin by toasting the sunflower seeds in a skillet over medium heat. Heat 1 teaspoon oil, then add the sunflower seeds. Stir frequently and watch carefully as they burn easily. Remove from heat when they are lightly browned, then sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt.
    • Next, combine honey-Dijon dressing ingredients in a small jar. Shake to emulsify.
    • Use a food processor, a box grater, or a julienne tool to shred the carrots.
    • Slice the green onions thinly on the diagonal. Finely chop the cilantro or parsley.
    • In a large bowl, combine carrots with cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, finely sliced green onion, and cilantro or parsley. Toss with honey-mustard dressing and refrigerate until serving time.
    • Finally, sprinkle with hemp hearts just before serving.

    Notes

    Store the leftover salad in a covered container in the fridge for 3 days.
    Make ahead! If you make it a day in advance or the night before, the honey-Dijon dressing has a chance to blend into the ingredients. You'll find the cranberries become even plumper, too!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 14335IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jackie Barker

      February 18, 2023 at 12:43 pm

      5 stars
      I decided to make this salad as soon as I looked at the recipe. Unfortunately, I did not go for the whole 6 servings, and just made enough for the two of us. Big mistake. We could have been eating this for a few days, and instead it is ALL GONE! Delicious. It is on the regular dinner rotation now. Thanks, Elaine!!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 18, 2023 at 6:05 pm

        You're welcome. Happy to hear you liked it! It will last in the fridge for 3 days.

        Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Find the perfect recipe

    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    Gluten-free Made Easy!

    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. I’m here to show you that gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

    Popular Posts

    • Two mugs of affogato coffee.
      How to Make an Affogato Coffee Dessert
    • A slice of one-bowl flourless lemon almond cake topped with strawberries and a mint leaf.
      One-Bowl Flourless Lemon Almond Cake
    • two flutes of rhubarb prosecco cocktail
      Rhubarb Bellini Prosecco Cocktail
    • a bowl of roasted rainbow carrots
      Roasted Carrots with Honey-Mustard Glaze

    Spring Favourites

    • Image with text for gluten-free desserts for Easter and Spring.
      Gluten-Free Desserts for Easter and Spring
    • Cherry Crisp with ice cream
      Cherry Crisp with Frozen Cherries
    • pouring honey-lime vinaigrette on kiwi cuc
      Kiwi Cucumber Salad with Walnuts and Fresh Mint
    • strawberry spinach salad with strawberry vinaigrette
      Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Dressing
    Brands that feature Flavour and Savour.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Me

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP HERE

    for weekly recipes and tips!

    Contact

    Contact me

    Use of Recipes and Images

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Copyright © 2015 - 2023