French Grated Carrot Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe
A bright and refreshing French grated carrot salad featuring a tangy lemon Dijon vinaigrette. This quick and easy salad combines shredded carrots with a zesty dressing of Dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, and a blend of vegetable and olive oils, complemented by fresh parsley and scallions or shallots. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 lb carrots, peeled
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 finely sliced scallions or 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
Lemon Dijon 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
- Shred the Carrots: Using a food processor, shred the peeled carrots finely. Once shredded, set them aside in a large salad bowl.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In the same salad bowl with the carrots or in a separate 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 chopped fresh parsley and sliced scallions (or shallots) to the shredded carrots. Toss everything thoroughly to coat the vegetables evenly with the vinaigrette.
- Adjust Seasoning and Chill: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional honey, salt, or pepper as needed. Cover the salad and refrigerate it until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and flavor.
- Scallions add a mild onion flavor, but shallots can be substituted for a slightly sweeter, more delicate taste.
- Adjust the honey amount to balance the acidity of the lemon juice to your preference.
- This salad tastes best after chilling for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- For a crunchy texture, consider adding a handful of toasted nuts such as walnuts or almonds.
