Old Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins

An old-fashioned carrot salad with raisins is a simple salad that has withstood the test of time. Vibrant orange carrots provide a refreshing crunch, while the sweetness of raisins and pineapple create a perfect balance of flavors. With just a handful of ingredients you have a not too sweet side dish that works great for a picnic or cookout but can also serves as a healthy addition to any weeknight dinner.

Tired of leafy green salads, grab some carrots from the farmers market or grocery and in just 15 minutes you can have a slightly sweet healthy side dish that no one will turn their nose at.

Doesn’t everyone love carrots! Add some naturally sweet raisins and pineapple and you have an anything but boring salad.

Grated carrot salad was a staple at our house growing up, when my sisters and I were old enough, we were tasked with grating the carrots for making our favorite carrot salad with raisins.

Mom served it with everything from burgers and hot dogs to Easter ham. With it’s simple ingredients, it goes with anything you’re serving for lunch or dinner. It’s served almost as much as creamy coleslaw.

Besides being a light and refreshing side dish, the best part about carrot & raisin salad is that it’s super simple to make. You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated techniques. Just grab your trusty grater, a bowl, and a few basic ingredients, and you’re good to go.

By soaking the raisins in pineapple juice, they plump up and infuse the salad with extra sweetness that is offset by just a bit of tango mayo. I don’t love salads that are swimming in mayonnaise, this carrot raisin salad has just enough to hold it together.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard picnic, a family gathering, or a potluck party, this salad fits right in. Its bold colors and refreshing flavors make it a perfect choice for summer events. Old fashioned carrot raisin salad also pairs well with classic southern dishes like bbq chicken, pulled pork, or slow cooker ribs.

This Southern salad is completely different from a Moroccan salad which uses cooked carrots and from French carrot salad that is also more savory with a lemon vinaigrette dressing. Instead you have a sweet tangy salad from mayo and a little powdered sugar.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

While this salad is a little sweet, it’s easy to reduce the sugar. My recipe contains powdered sugar, so you can cut the amount in half if you’d like, taste it as you’re making it and adjust the sugar according to your taste.

Why You’ll Love Making a Simple Carrot Salad

• Easy to make: To make this salad, you just have to grate the carrots and stir everything together. 
• It’s nostalgic: Carrot raisin salad is a beloved classic that brings back memories of family gatherings and potlucks.
• Wholesome and refreshing: Packed with grated carrots, juicy raisins, and a touch of tangy pineapple, this salad is refreshing and lightens up heavier meals.

What does soaking the raisins do?

In this recipe, one of the first things you do is soak your raisins in pineapple juice. Raisins might seem like they have a tough outer exterior, but it’s actually porous! Raisins can soak up liquid if you give them a bit of time. 

When you put raisins in a bowl with the pineapple juice, they plump up. If you are using fresh pineapple and don’t have extra juice you can use apple juice or just warm water. Plumping them gives them a softer texture in the salad.

Carrot Salad Recipe Ingredients

• Raw Carrots: Grating fresh carrots provides a satisfying crunch and vibrant color to the salad. If you’re short on time, you can use pre-shredded carrots from the store, but they are harder to eat in salad form and I prefer to grate my own or use a food processor.
• Raisins: Plump and sweet, raisins add a pleasant flavor and texture. They plump up even more when soaked in pineapple juice and become infused with pineapple flavor. You can use any type of raisin, but traditional black raisins add more of a color contrast then golden raisins in this salad.
• Mayo: I prefer the taste of Hellman’s mayo, but use the brand you like best, you can even use use light mayo.
• Powdered Sugar: This gives the mayo a touch of sweetness.
• Pineapple: If you use pineapple chunks, you’ll need to cut them into smaller pieces. Otherwise, buy the tidbits and use them as-is. You can also use fresh sweet pineapple, if so, learn a cool way to cut a pineapple.

How To Make The Very Best Carrot Raisin Salad

This salad recipe comes together in just a few quick steps. Leave an hour or so for it to meld together at the end. Here’s what you do:

Step 1: Soak the raisins.

Add both the raisins and juice from the canned pineapple into a bowl. Let them sit until the raisins plump up. This takes only about 15 minutes of time.

Step 2: Prepare the salad.

Peel your carrots with a carrot peeler, then grate them on the large holes of a box grater. Place them in a nice large serving bowl or mixing bowl, and add in the pineapple pieces and plumped-up raisins. 

Step 3. Prepare the dressing and mix.

Grab a small mixing bowl and stir together the mayonnaise and powdered sugar. Pour the entire mixture over the carrot salad and stir it up!

This salad will taste even better if it’s been left to sit for a bit of time. So, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour if you have time. You can even refrigerate it overnight.

Tips for Making the Most Flavorful Carrot Salad

• Grate the carrots just before making the salad, so they’re as fresh and crisp as possible.
• Make sure to thoroughly combine the mayo and powdered sugar dressing before pouring it over the carrot mixture. Stir it together until you’re sure the sugar is well incorporated into the mayo.
• If you have 3-4 hours to let the salad sit, it will taste even better!

Can I Make This Ahead?

Absolutely! This carrot raisin salad recipe can be made ahead of time, which makes it convenient for hosting dinner or taking it to a party. Prepare the salad as directed and refrigerate it up to 12 hours before serving. Give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the dressing. The salad can sit even longer, but the carrots might start to get a touch soft. It will still taste yummy!

What are some optional add-ins for carrot raisin salad?

This carrot raisin pineapple salad can handle plenty of add-ins and substitutions. We’ve added in chopped apple for even more crunch. You can also add in or substitute the raisins for dried blueberries or cranberries for a different flavor. 

Pecans, walnuts, or almonds can add a hearty crunch and make this salad a bit more filling. For a bit of a tropical flavor, try sprinkling in a bit of shredded coconut.

Carrot Salad Questions

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, it’s even better with fresh! You can, just remove the core and slice it into small pieces.

Can I use a different dressing?

If you prefer a tangier dressing, you can substitute the mayo with plain yogurt.

More Potluck Salads You’ll Love

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.