4-Ingredient Shredded Carrot Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

This shredded carrot salad with honey-lime dressing tastes acidic, clean, and crunchy. It is a welcome addition to any main dish or lunch.

shredded carrot salad in a serving bowl with limes and a napkin on the side

This 4-ingredient Shredded Carrot Salad with Honey-Lime dressing was born out of convenience. I was determined to get a salad on the table, and the only vegetable I had in my refrigerator was carrots. Honestly, it was a throw-away salad. One that I didn’t anticipate would be worth repeating, but it would get the job done. To my surprise, this shredded carrot salad is one of the most requested salads I make.

carrots with limes, honey, and olive oil on the side

I didn’t even know raw carrot salads were an actual thing until I came across David Lebovitz’s French Grated Carrot Salad or Carrottes Rappee. While my salad is decidedly not French (honey and limes just don’t cut it), it is reassuring to know that a cooling, crisp raw carrot salad has a spot in David Lebovitz’s arsenal too. Meaning, this simple carrot salad isn’t as unexpected as I thought it once was. Or at least not in France.

shredded carrots in a food processor with the honey lime dressing on the side

This shredded carrot salad with honey-lime dressing tastes acidic, clean, and crunchy. The combination of honey, lime, and carrots has a perfect balance of bitter and sweet. A healthy dose of salt adds a pleasingly salty dimension to this salad, making each bite as addictive as the next.

shredded carrots in a glass bowl with salt sprinkled on top

Possible Substitutions or Additions

LIME JUICE. Lemon Juice is a great substitute for lime juice if you only have lemons on hand.

ADD-INS. Easily dress it up with cilantro, shredded beets, or nuts. Although, it is perfect as is.

shredded carrot salad in a serving bowl with limes and a napkin on the side

Frequently Asked Questions about Shredded Carrots

What is the difference between shredded and grated carrots?

Shredded carrots have long, smooth strips, while grated carrots are tiny fragments and appear powdery. Shredded carrots are made using the large holes on a box grater or the grating attachment on a food processor. Grated carrots are made using the small holes on a box grater.

Can I save time and use store-bought shredded carrots?

The taste of this 4-ingredient salad will only be as good as its ingredients. For this reason, I don’t recommend using store-bought shredded carrots.

Can I freeze leftover raw shredded carrots?

While you technically can, I wouldn’t as they don’t freeze well. Rather, leftover shredded carrots are perfect for using in carrot cake, muffins, stir fries, pasta, and other salads.

Can I make this shredded carrot salad ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, this salad gets better as the flavors meld together in the refrigerator.

What can I serve this shredded carrot salad with?

This salad complements just about everything from a summer potluck to a thanksgiving table. It is truly versatile and a welcome addition to any main dish or dinner spread.

shredded carrot salad in a serving bowl with limes, plates, and a napkin on the side

More Citrus Recipes to Try

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4-Ingredient Shredded Carrot Salad

This shredded carrot salad with honey-lime dressing tastes acidic, clean, and crunchy. A welcome addition to any main dish or lunch.

  • Author: Kim
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Raw
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the carrots:

  • 1/2 pound carrots, trimmed and peeled
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the dressing:

  • 1/8 cup (27g) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, about the juice of 1/2 of a lime
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Sprinkle of kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Shred the carrots. Using a food processor: Using a large food processor, fitted with a grating attachment, grate the carrots. By hand: Place the box grater on a cutting board. Pick up a carrot by its thick end, and slide its tip down the large holes of a box grater. Continue this downward shredding motion until 1-inch of the carrot remains intact. Discard the remaining 1-inch carrot stub to avoid cutting your fingers.
  2. Salt the carrots. Place the shredded carrots in a serving bowl. Add the salt to the carrots and mix thoroughly using tongs or your hands. Set aside while you make the dressing.
  3. Make the dressing. Add the lime juice, honey, and salt to a small bowl. Whisk until combined. Whisk in the olive oil until creamy and emulsified, about 2 minutes.  
  4. Assemble the salad. Add the dressing to the carrots and toss well to evenly distribute the dressing.  Season with salt and toss again. Adjust with more dressing or salt to taste.

Notes

STORAGE. Store salad in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
  • Calories: 189 calories
  • Sugar: 14.4g
  • Sodium: 330mg
  • Fat: 12.6g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.8g
  • Carbohydrates: 20.7g
  • Fiber: 2.9g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: shredded carrot recipe, shredded carrots, shredded carrot salad

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