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Grandma’s Carrot Raisin Salad

A bite of this feels like a comforting hug.

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Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

We all know of this salad. It was always in a goldenrod-colored Tupperware container in the fridge or served in a powder blue Cinderella Pyrex bowl. It was a sweet, creamy, crunchy, and satisfying addiction that only our grandmothers could reproduce in the medium of food-formed love. This Grandma’s Carrot Raisin Salad is just that — the embodiment of everything we loved about our grandmothers’ meals; the outdated but adored and everlasting comfort in the food we long to have as the time between the memories grows even farther away.

Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

Here this recipe bridges the gap of time between those food memories and reality. This salad is a carbon copy of what we’d have at lunch and dinner at our grandmother’s house. The hardest thing about making this salad is shredding the carrots. You’ll want to peel the carrots before shredding, as this will ensure the best taste and texture for the salad.

Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

After the carrot prep is done, mix all of the ingredients into the bowl, wrap the top with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for one hour. While you may want to skip this step, resist the temptation. The rest period in the refrigerator tenderizes the carrots and allows the ingredients to marry and blend together to make a more developed and unified taste.

Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team
Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

One taste of Grandma’s Carrot Raisin Salad, and you’re transported into her kitchen. The carrots absorb the flavor but still maintain their crispy bite.

Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team
Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

Creamy elements like sour cream and mayonnaise are complemented by the acidity of the vinegar and the sweetness of the raisins and pineapple. 

Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

The taste gets even better after the initial day and makes it a perfect side to have on hand for any meal you have planned. It’s a great contrast to a heavy Sunday ham or pot roast dinner, as well as the perfect side salad for any backyard get-together. 

Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

Try it out for yourself and you’ll be satisfied, guaranteed!

Yield(s): Serves about 6 to 8

15m prep time

1h inactive

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When you share or print a 12 Tomatoes recipe,
you're making mealtime meaningful.
100% of the Share to Care sponsor fees fund meals for families in need. Learn More
Ingredients
  • 4 cups shredded carrots (from about 6 large carrots)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup full-fat sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 8 ounces pineapple, drained and cut into small wedges
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Preparation
  1. In a large bowl combine the carrots, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, raisins, pineapple, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
  2. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour before serving, enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Spend With Pennies.