Description
This French Grated Carrot Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette is a fresh, vibrant, and easy-to-make side dish that combines the natural sweetness of grated carrots with a tangy and slightly sweet lemon Dijon dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a colorful accompaniment to any meal, this salad offers bright flavors, crisp textures, and the health benefits of fresh vegetables and olive oil.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 pound carrots, peeled
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 finely sliced scallions (or 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots)
Vinaigrette
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (from one lemon)
- 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey, to taste
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Grate the carrots: Using a food processor, shred the peeled carrots finely to create a fluffy, grated texture. Transfer the grated carrots to a bowl and set aside.
- Prepare the vinaigrette: In a salad bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Toss the salad: Add the grated carrots, chopped fresh parsley, and sliced scallions (or shallots) to the vinaigrette in the bowl. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to evenly coat the carrots with the dressing and distribute the herbs and scallions.
- Adjust and chill: Taste the salad and adjust the honey or seasoning if needed, depending on the sweetness of the carrots and your palate. Cover the salad and refrigerate it until ready to serve to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
Notes
- The amount of honey can be adjusted based on the natural sweetness of the carrots.
- If you prepare the salad ahead of time, check and adjust the seasoning before serving as the flavors may mellow in the refrigerator.
- This salad is best served chilled but brings out more flavor after resting for at least 30 minutes.
- Substitute scallions with shallots if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: French
