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this French Carrot Salad Recipe prove French cooking It can be easy, delicious, and quick! I tried the authentic French version for the first time when we were honeymooning in France – I tried to recreate it at home.like mine Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad (but veggies are very different), it combines fresh herbs and veggies with a quick lemon zest. It’s easy to pair with all your favorite meats and main dishes!
What is French Carrot Salad?
This dish is called in France grated carrot salad, unlike the typical South American carrot salad recipe with mayo and raisins. Instead, it combines grated carrots with fresh herbs and a bright lemony Dijon vinaigrette. This side dish is common in everything from restaurant menus to supermarkets in France.
Why You’ll Love This French Carrot Salad Recipe
- Lightly sweet and lemony
- crunchy texture
- Use basic grocery store ingredients
- Ready in 15 minutes
- A delicious addition to picnics, potlucks and everyday meals

Ingredients and Substitution Instructions
This section explains how to choose the best toppings for French Carrot Shredded Salad, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options. See recipe card below for measurements.
- radish -Grate fresh carrots to the right consistency for the dish – pre-shredded carrots will still work, but the texture will not be as good. You can use a food processor with a grill attachment, the large hole of a box grater, or the grill attachment of a stand mixer to get the right vegetable consistency.
- olive oil – Remember, this is one of those carrot salad recipes without mayo! Olive oil makes up most of the salad dressing, so use a good quality extra virgin variety. Some oil also helps to toast the pine nuts.
- lemon juice – For the best, brightest flavor, use freshly squeezed juice. bottled lemon juice Works in a pinch, but doesn’t taste great. White or red wine vinegar is a good substitute.
- whole grain mustard – You might also see it called old-fashioned mustard – it’s a mustard with large grains.you can also use Dijon mustard To make your dressing smoother, whole wheat is a French carrot salad classic.
- pine nuts – Extra texture and crunch. You can easily swap them with sunflower seeds or pistachios if desired.
- fresh parsley – For a little extra zing, you can add or substitute scallions or chives.
- sea salt and black pepper – Season all fresh vegetables.

How to Make French Carrot Salad
This section describes how to make French Carrot Salad with step-by-step photos and details on the technique. See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Make dressings. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, mustard, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. shelved.
- Toasted pine nuts. Heat more olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Toast the pine nuts until golden and fragrant.
Tip: Watch the pine nuts carefully.
Because they burn easily, keep an eye on the pan while toasting.


- gather. In a large bowl, combine carrots, pine nuts and chopped parsley.
- skirt. Add the dressing and mix to combine. Season your French carrot salad with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavor to develop.


Variety
- Add spices – While simple and delicious, you can add 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin in addition to salt and pepper for extra flavor.
- make it sweeter – Add up to 1/2 cup raisins or 1-3 teaspoons of your favorite traditional or sugar-free sweeteneror change dressings Sugar-Free Honey Mustard Dressing.
- add cheese – Consider topping the salad with crumbled feta or blue cheese.
Storage Instructions
- Shop: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Meal preparation: To make the dressing, toast the pine nuts, chop the carrots. Store components separately until ready to assemble and serve.
- freeze: Like most salads, frozen carrot salad recipes are not recommended because the texture can change too much.

What to Serve with Carrot Salad Recipe
Offering carrot salad recipes and easy French entrees for an easy and comforting meal! Try these recipes:
More French-inspired side dish recipes
Once you’ve mastered this easy carrot salad recipe, check out how easy French cooking is with these easy sides:
Readers’ Favorite Recipes
The recipe card is below! Readers who made this also checked out these recipes:
French Carrot Salad Recipe (15 Minutes!)
Using a few basic ingredients, this French Carrot Salad recipe adds simple elegance to any meal—and it only takes 15 minutes!
Prepare: 10 minute
chef: 5 minute
All: 15 minute
Serving Size: 4 (Adjust the scale recipe)
raw material
Click on the underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn off Safari reader mode to view ingredients.
instruct
Tap the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.
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in a small bowl, brush Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and mustard. shelved.
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in a small pan Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over low heat.Add pine nuts and cook about 5 minutesuntil light brown and fragrant.
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In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, toasted pine nuts, scallions (if using), and parsley.
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Pour dressing over carrot salad and toss to combine. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
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If you have time, refrigerate the salad 20-30 minutes Let the flavor develop.
recipe notes
Serving Size: 1 cup
nutrient content
Amount per serving. Serving Sizes in Recipe Instructions Above.
Calories 212
fat 20 grams
protein 2 grams
total carbohydrates 9.5 grams
net carbs 6.6 grams
fiber 2.9 grams
sugar 4.3 grams
Nutrition Facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about the calculation or why you get different results?see our nutrition policy.
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