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Crispy Carrot Salad

Crispy Carrot Salad – Easy and Fresh

This crispy carrot salad is fresh, crunchy, colorful, and easy to make with thinly sliced carrots, a bright lemon-honey dressing, fresh parsley, and sunflower seeds. It’s a refreshing side dish for weeknight dinners, BBQs, picnics, and potlucks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium fresh carrots peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Carrots: Wash and peel the carrots. Cut them into thin matchsticks or use a julienne peeler. Keep the pieces thin and even so they stay crisp and absorb the dressing well.
  • Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
  • Combine the Salad: Add the prepared carrots to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the carrots and gently toss until they are evenly coated.
  • Add the Fresh Ingredients: Add the chopped parsley and sunflower seeds. Toss gently again, being careful not to crush the carrot strips.
  • Rest the Salad: Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes so the carrots can absorb some of the dressing while maintaining their crisp texture.
  • Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional parsley or sunflower seeds if desired and serve chilled or slightly cool.

Notes

 
For the crispiest texture, use fresh, firm carrots and slice them into thin, even strips. The salad can be prepared a little ahead of serving, but avoid adding excessive dressing if you plan to store it for several days. Freezing is not recommended because the carrots can become watery and lose their crunch after thawing.
 

Nutrition Facts

 
  • Calories: 135 kcal
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4 g
  • Total Sugars: 10 g
  • Added Sugars: 4 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Vitamin A: 1,020 mcg
  • Vitamin C: 8 mg
  • Calcium: 55 mg
  • Iron: 1 mg
  • Potassium: 350 mg