Prepare to be amazed by this refreshingly simple carrot salad that's bursting with flavor!
Forget everything you thought you knew about carrot salad; this recipe combines the sweetness of grated carrots with a zesty Honey Dijon dressing and other delightful ingredients, creating a surprisingly addictive dish you'll crave.
Why This Recipe Works
I'm telling you, this carrot salad is a game-changer because it's so simple—yet packed with flavor! And I kinda think it's better than the classic French version.
It all starts with grated carrots. I use a regular box grater and go for strands about 1 1/2 inches long—or just use that food processor shredder thingy!
Next, I toss in the green onion, thinly sliced, and maybe some parsley if I'm feeling fancy. Parsley's optional, though, don't stress it.
Now, here's a secret: that Honey Dijon Mustard dressing! I just shake all the dressing stuff together! It's like magic, it really is! After it's dressed, you won't stop eating it.
I really like it when it gets juicy, like coleslaw, after sitting a bit.
Key Ingredients
Let's talk about what you'll need to make this carrot salad shine! First, grab about 4 medium carrots – they are the star, after all! Peel them and you're good to go.
Next, you will need 2 green onion stems. Slice them thinly, on a diagonal, for some extra pizzazz. I'm not kidding! If you're feeling fancy – and I know you are – about 1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley is just the thing.
Now, for the Honey Dijon dressing! You can't skip this, it will be delicious! You'll need 1 1/2 tsp of Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp of honey (or maple syrup!), 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice, and 4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. This recipe is a bit different from cabbage carrot thoran, but still utilizes the power of mixing vegetables with unique dressings. Don't forget 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of black pepper to round it all out. Are you ready to make it?
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, you will want to get those carrots ready – grab your box grater (or the shredder tool for your food processor). I aim for strands that are about 4cm/1.5" long, but don't sweat the small stuff!
Next, I'd suggest you place those grated carrots in a bowl. Toss in the thinly sliced green onion and parsley. The parsley's optional, but I think it adds a nice touch. This salad is quite different from something like a rice-based salad, but equally refreshing!
Now, for the dressing – which is where the magic happens! Grab a jar, throw in 1 1/2 tsp of Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp of honey, 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice, 4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp of black pepper. Shake it like you mean it!
Finally, pour that delicious dressing over the carrots. Give it a good toss – make sure everything's coated evenly. Serve it up and get ready for the compliments!
Tips & Substitutions
This salad is super flexible, so don't worry if you're missing an ingredient or two—we can totally make it work! For the green onion, you can sub in about 1/2 a finely sliced red onion or even an eschallot (French onion), no biggie. Don't have Dijon? Regular American or wholegrain mustard will do just fine—we're not aiming for perfection here, just deliciousness!
Lemon juice ran out? No sweat! Use the same amount of white or red wine vinegar—even champagne or sherry vinegar works. On the sweet side, if you're out of honey, reach for maple syrup, same amount, or even 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar!. It's all good.
- That crushing moment when you realize you are out of lemons.
- The sheer panic of an empty honey jar.
- The unexpected delight of discovering maple syrup can be a substitute!
- The triumphant feeling of making do.
- The inner peace of a perfectly flexible recipe!
Nutritional Information
Now, let's investigate into what this salad brings to the table nutritionally—it's not just about the taste, ya know! I'm lookin' at about 125 calories per serving, which isn't bad at all!
Carbs? You're gettin' around 9 grams, which is only 3% of your daily intake. Protein's a bit low, just 1 gram—but hey, it's a salad! We've got 10 grams of fat, mostly from the olive oil—healthy fats are our friends!
Pay attention, the sodium clocks in at 286mg, or 12%. You'll also score a good amount of Vitamin A—a whopping 8453 IU, that's 169%! Not bad, right? And don't forget the 10mg of Vitamin C.
Fiber? Score 2 grams, which is 8% of your daily needs. Sugar's at 6 grams, and iron is there, contributing 1mg (6%). Feel good about feasting.
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 medium carrots, shredded (1 1/2-inch strands)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In a separate bowl, combine shredded carrots.
- Pour dressing over carrots and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill for later.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbs: 15g