Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Carrot Salad is a creamy and crunchy recipe, which is made with matchstick carrots and red apple. It’s the perfect side dish for any potluck, ready in about 15 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Carrot Salad Recipe Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp. coarse grain Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 (10-oz.) bags matchstick carrots
- 1 red apple, cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
How To Make Pioneer Woman Carrot Salad
- Whisk the Dressing: In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Combine and Serve: Add the matchstick carrots, apple matchsticks, toasted pecans, raisins, and fresh parsley to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the best texture? Using pre-shredded matchstick carrots is a great time-saver and provides the perfect uniform crunch for this salad. Cutting the apple into similar-sized matchsticks also ensures a pleasant texture in every bite.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this salad is great for making ahead. The recipe notes that it can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. The carrots are sturdy and will stay crisp.
- What kind of apple is best? Any firm, crisp, and sweet apple will work well. Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, or the red apple specified in the recipe are all excellent choices that will hold their shape.
- Can I use a different nut? Absolutely. If you don’t have pecans, toasted walnuts or even slivered almonds would be a delicious substitute and provide a similar nutty crunch.
What To Serve With Carrot Salad
This sweet and savory carrot salad is a versatile side dish that pairs wonderfully with many different main courses.
- Grilled Chicken or Pork Chops
- Pulled Pork or BBQ Beef Sandwiches
- Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
- As a side for a potluck or picnic spread
- With a simple quiche for lunch
How To Store Carrot Salad
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover carrot salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 3 days, making it great for leftovers.
Pioneer Woman Carrot Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Sugar: 18g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I shred my own carrots?
Yes, of course. If you have a food processor with a shredding disc, it will make quick work of shredding whole carrots. A box grater will also work, but it will be more labor-intensive and result in a finer shred.
Is this salad sweet or savory?
It’s a perfect balance of both! The honey and raisins provide sweetness, while the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and vinegar provide a creamy and tangy savory base.
Can I make this dressing lighter?
Yes. For a lighter, tangier version, you could substitute the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Cabbage Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Arugula Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Antipasto Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Carrot Salad Recipe
Description
A quick and easy carrot salad with a creamy honey-mustard dressing, sweet raisins, crisp apples, and crunchy pecans.
Ingredients
Dressing:
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Add the carrots, apple, pecans, raisins, and parsley to the dressing.
- Toss everything together until it is well coated.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready.
Notes
- u003cliu003eFor the best flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant before chopping.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUsing pre-shredded or u0022matchsticku0022 carrots is a huge time-saver for this recipe.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis salad can be made up to a day in advance, making it perfect for meal prep or parties.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe flavors will meld and become even more delicious after chilling for about an hour.u003c/liu003e
