Carrot Slaw with Cranberries, Walnuts & Citrus Vinaigrette

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An autumn spin on the classic grated carrot salad, this carrot slaw is dotted with dried cranberries and toasted walnuts.

carrot slaw with cranberries, walnuts, and citrus vinaigrette in serving bowl.

I’ve always loved the classic French grated carrot salad, and this carrot slaw is a tasty twist on it. With dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and scallions tossed in a citrus vinaigrette, it’s crunchy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. Perfect with a warm crusty baguette for lunch or as a healthy side to sandwiches or burgers.

What You’ll Need To Make Carrot Slaw With Citrus Vinaigrette

carrot slaw ingredients
  • Walnuts: Coarsely chopped and toasted for added crunch and a nutty, aromatic flavor.
  • Shredded carrots: The base of the slaw, providing a fresh, crunchy texture. If you have carrots to use up, you can quickly shred them in a food processor. Otherwise, pre-shredded carrots from the produce section work just as well.
  • Walnut oil or Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Adds richness and depth to the citrus vinaigrette. If you have walnut oil on hand, it’s wonderful, but it’s pricey—so not worth purchasing just for this salad. Use whichever you prefer.
  • Lemon zest and juice: Brings bright, tangy acidity that balances the sweetness of the dish.
  • Fresh orange juice: Adds sweetness and a softer citrus note that complements the lemon.
  • Honey: Adds natural sweetness, balancing the tartness of the citrus and cranberries.
  • Dried cranberries: Chewy and tart-sweet, they contrast nicely with the crunch of the carrots and nuts.
  • Scallions: Adds a mild onion flavor for a bit of freshness.Fresh Italian parsley: Chopped for a bright, herbaceous finish.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

To begin, toast the walnuts in the oven until fragrant to enhance their flavor.

toasted walnuts on parchment lined baking sheet

Next, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl.

carrot slaw ingredients in bowl

Toss to combine. If possible, let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes to give the carrots a chance to soak up the dressing.

tossed carrot slaw in bowl in wooden spoon

Before serving, toss in the walnuts.

walnuts tossed into  slaw in bowl with wooden spoon

Enjoy!

bowl of carrot slaw with cranberries and walnuts  with cloth napkin

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Carrot Slaw with Cranberries, Toasted Walnuts & Citrus Vinaigrette

An autumn spin on the classic grated carrot salad, this carrot slaw is dotted with dried cranberries and toasted walnuts.

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

  • ½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 1 pound shredded carrots, or 1⅓ pounds carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or walnut oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice, from 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice, from 1 orange
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 3 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • Heaping ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Set oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Place walnuts on baking sheet and bake until toasted and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Season to taste with salt, pepper, honey or more citrus. Toss in walnuts and serve.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (5 servings)
  • Calories: 184
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Sodium: 183 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

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Comments

  • This looks just like the kind of salad I am looking for. Healthy, protein, and looks yummy. I’m going to add carrots to my shopping list and try this right away.

    • — Cindy Armstrong
    • Reply
  • Great change of pace salad. I had some dried cranberries in the pantry (but what to do with them) and always have carrots so this was a great opportunity to whip this up. It was tasty and I think pretty lo cal for those of us always looking for the healthy choice. Thanks-delicious. Ps. I had the leftovers for lunch the next day.

  • I love carrot salads and have a similar recipe, but with the cranberries replacing the usual raisins, and addition of the walnuts and lemon zest, this one is a real winner!

  • It looks so colorful!!!!
    Can’t wait to try this recipe!

  • A beautiful dish that hits all the buttons of tasty, crunchy, sweet and satisfying. Yummo!

  • I made this recipe the day that it was posted; it looked so good! And it was delicious. The citrus and cranberries are the prevailing flavors — not the carrots. It is easy to prepare and makes a beautiful side. We loved it.

  • Can’t wait to try this!! It looks so good!

  • This looks delicious! Would be a great side for Chicken burgers I am making this weekend!

  • This looks beautiful. Cannot wait to try it.

  • Looks like a great, filling side dish with the fresh taste of orange and honey. Putting this on my list and Pinterest!

    • — Lisa Waldschmidt
    • Reply

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