Fresh, sweet and just the right choice for an Easter Dinner or any spring and summer meal. You’ll start whipping this up for every gathering and for your own lunches too when you see how easy it is! I’ll show you how today and you’ll think you are at Chick fil a with this Easy Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe (like Chick-Fil-A)!
Why This Recipe for Easy Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe (like Chick-Fil-A)
- Fast
- Easy
- Affordable
- Ingredients you probably already have at home OR can get easily!
Here’s How It’s Done
STEP 1.
At least 30 minutes before starting this recipe, drain the juice from the pineapples and soak the raisins in this juice. Put all of the ingredients into the fridge to chill (including the raisins in pineapple juice)l. Grate your carrots and put them back in the fridge. and gather your supplies.
STEP 2.
Grate the carrots
STEP 3.
Mix everything together, let rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Serve cold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Why Do I Need To Put Everything in The Fridge First?
This allows time for all the ingredients to come to the same temperature. Plus, this is a delightful cold salad and this preps the ingredients for their eventual end!
Do I Need To Drain the Pineapple?
Yes, drain the pineapple well before you add the sugar. The sugar is going to draw more juice from the pineapple chunks, but that is ok.
Can I Make This With Honey Instead of Sugar?
You CAN, however, it won’t taste the same and I can’t make any promises about the results.
Can I Freeze This Salad?
No, this salad won’t freeze well, the carrots go limp and the mayo separates. Thankfully, its an easy recipe that you can whip up any time you want.
This recipe makes a small family size quantity for one meal. You can double the recipe to take to a large gathering.
How Long Does It Keep?
- This carrots salad is good for about 5 days in the fridge if kept covered and cold. Give it a stir before serving each time.
- Don’t let this salad sit out for over 2 hours.
What Can I Serve With This Salad?
This salad goes GREAT with Fried Chicken (of course)
Tips and Tricks for Easy Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe
- Only use fresh carrots for this recipe, the taste has more depth and the flavors will be right on cue.
- You don’t want this recipe to be soupy, so before mixing together, be sure to pour off any collected juices from the carrots, pineapples and raisins.
- This recipe specifically calls for Dukes Mayo, if you can’t find it, that’s ok, just use the best mayo that you can find. Hellmans, Blue Plate and Aldi Brand are all fine to use.
- Do not substitute Miracle Whip for the Mayo, that won’t work.
- If you need to make a substitute for the mayo, I would try a thick greek yogurt mixed with honey and salt, but frankly, it won’t taste the same.
- When removing the salad from the fridge, always be sure to give it a little stir before serving. It may settle and the carrots on top may want to dry a little, but a slight stir will fix all of that.
- Here's great information about carrots from the USDA
PRO TIP: This is one of those salads that gets better after it sits for 24 hours. If you are planning to take this to a gathering, make it a day ahead and WOW them every time!
If You Enjoyed This Carrot Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy…
Be a Sweetie, OK?
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Easy Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe (like Chick Fil A)
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Fresh Carrots Shredded fine about 3 carrots
- ⅓ Cup Pineapple drained and chopped small
- ½ C raisins
- ¼ C Dukes Mayonnaise
- ¼ Cup White Granulated Sugar
- ¾ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract don’t use imitation
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste about ¼ teaspoon each
Instructions
- At least 30 minutes before making this recipe do the following: drain the juice from the pineapple and reserve it. Soak the raisins in the juice from the pineapple. Grate the carrots. Mix the sugar into the drained pineapple chunks. Then, put everything in the fridge and allow it to rest for 30 minutes
- After 30 minutes in the fridge, remove everything from the fridge and pour off the liquid from the raisins and discard, pour off any collected juices from the carrots and discard. Drain the pineapples again and discard any juices.
- Mix everything together well and cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. You may have to drain off more liquid before serving. Do so if it seems too soupy.
Notes
- Only use fresh carrots for this recipe, the taste has more depth and the flavors will be right on cue.
- You don’t want this recipe to be soupy, so before mixing together, be sure to pour off any collected juices from the carrots, pineapples and raisins.
- This recipe specifically calls for Dukes Mayo, if you can’t find it, that’s ok, just use the best mayo that you can find. Hellmans, Blue Plate and Aldi Brand are all fine to use.
- Do not substitute Miracle Whip for the Mayo, that won’t work.
If you need to make a substitute for the mayo, I would try a thick greek yogurt mixed with honey and salt, but frankly, it won’t taste the same. - When removing the salad from the fridge, always be sure to give it a little stir before serving. It may settle and the carrots on top may want to dry a little, but a slight stir will fix all of that.
- You CAN make this by simply mixing everything together, however, you will need to pour off more liquid at the end.
Joyceb says
Thank you for this recipe. It is one of my favorite salads.
Wendi Spraker says
You are soooo welcome!
Wendi Spraker says
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