This 5-ingredient carrot salad with chickpeas, raisins, cilantro and almonds, tossed in a citrus ginger vinaigrette is perfect for any time of the year and for any meal.
It's light, refreshing and full of nutrition! Make a big batch and enjoy all week.
How to make carrot, chickpea and raisin salad
Featured Ingredients
For the citrus vinaigrette:
- Olive oil: The best oil for dressings is extra virgin olive oil.
- Grab a good quality one for the best flavor.
- Fresh orange and lemon zest and juice: The zest contains a ton of flavor, as it contains the oils from the orange and lemon.
- Use both the zest and the fresh juice for optional citrusy vibes.
- Ginger: Grate some fresh ginger to add a zing to this salad.
- Honey: For sweetness and balance.
- Champagne vinegar: When paired with fresh citrus, the vinegar brings in a nice zip.
For the salad:
- Carrots: Grab a bag of fresh carrots and peel and trim them. Then, use the food processor or a box grater to grate the carrots.
- Chickpeas: Canned, cooked chickpeas are perfect for this salad. Just rinse and drain 'em! They add texture and a ton of nutrition (both fiber and protein!).
- Raisins: Chewy, sweet raisins pair nicely with the chickpeas and carrots.
- Cilantro: For herby freshness.
- Almonds: For nutty flavor and crunch.
- Feta: It's optional, but I highly recommend it. It adds a briny taste to the salad.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the dressing ingredients in a jar fitted with a lid and shake until well-combined.
- Place the carrots, chickpeas, raisins, cilantro and almonds in a bowl.
- Add the dressing and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- Top with feta right before serving, if desired.
Recipe Substitutions and Alterations
- For the citrus juice: You can use all orange or all lemon zest and juice.
- For the honey: Try granulated sugar instead. You just need a pinch to balance the dressing.
- For the champagne vinegar: White wine vinegar would also work.
- For the carrots: In a pinch, you could use bags of shredded carrots.
- For the cilantro: Leave it out if you don't like it. You could use parsley instead.
- For the almonds: Use pepitas instead.
Nutrition Considerations
- To make this gluten free: This recipe is gluten free. Be sure all packaged ingredients are gluten free.
- To make this dairy free: This recipe is dairy free; just don't add the feta.
- To make this vegan: Use granulated sugar instead of honey. Don't add the feta.
- To make this nut free: Skip the almonds. Be sure all other ingredients are nut free.
- To make this egg free: This recipe is egg free.
Fresh and fabulous salad recipes:
- Chinese Chicken Salad with Orange Ginger Sesame Dressing
- Healthy Broccoli Salad with Sweet Lemon Dressing
- Kale & Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad
- Greek Salad with Feta Vinaigrette
- Mediterranean Chickpea & Tuna Salad
Carrot, Chickpea and Raisin Salad
A 5-ingredient salad with carrots, chickpeas, raisins, cilantro and almonds, tossed in a citrus ginger vinaigrette.
- Prep Time: 15-20 mins
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 15-20 mins + 30 min refrigeration
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Moroccan
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Citrus Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Zest and juice of 1 small orange
- Zest and juice of 1 small lemon
- 1-inch piece ginger, finely grated
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon white wine or champagne vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad:
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and shredded (about 4-5 cups)
- 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup crumbled feta (optional)
Instructions
- Place the dressing ingredients in a jar fitted with a lid and shake until well-combined.
- Place the carrots, chickpeas, raisins, cilantro and almonds in a bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- Top with feta right before serving, if desired.
Notes
Storage Tip: Refrigerate salad in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅛ of recipe
- Calories: 274
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 419mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Alyssa Weisensel says
Amazing and easy dish! Highly recommend
Julie Andrews says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Alyssa!!