Cool Carrot Salad
A refreshing chilled carrot salad with crunchy vegetables and a tangy sweet-sour dressing, perfect for light meals, picnics, or side dishes at gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. carrots, sliced, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 2 small green peppers, cut in slivers ⓘ
- 2 small onions, sliced and separated into rings ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) can tomato soup or 8 oz. can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 c. vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 c. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 c. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- pinch of ground pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 2-quart glass container with a tight-fitting lid, layer cooked carrots, green pepper slivers, and onion rings; set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine tomato soup or sauce, vinegar, vegetable oil, sugar, dry mustard, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and ground pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then simmer for 5 minutes.
- Pour the hot dressing over the layered vegetables in the container.
- Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vibrant flavor boost, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice to the dressing. You can substitute apple cider vinegar for the regular vinegar for a sweeter taste. If you prefer a creamier dressing, a dollop of Greek yogurt can be stirred in before serving. Ensure the carrots are tender but not mushy to maintain a pleasant texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Cool Carrot Salad as a refreshing side dish at barbecues or picnics, pairing it nicely with grilled meats or sandwiches. It also complements the flavors of dishes like Saucy Pork Chop Dinner wonderfully. For a light lunch, serve it alongside a green salad or with Cucumber Pickles for a delightful contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier the next day. If you want to revive the salad, add a splash of vinegar before serving. Avoid reheating, as this salad is best enjoyed cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cool Carrot Salad contains roughly 666 calories, with 22g protein, 156g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (181% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (161% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (151% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 569mg per serving (25% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad in advance?
Absolutely! This salad can be made a day ahead of time. In fact, letting it sit overnight in the fridge allows the flavors to blend beautifully. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
What other vegetables can I add?
Feel free to customize this salad by adding other vegetables like diced celery, grated cabbage, or even sweet corn for added crunch and flavor. Just ensure that any additional veggies are cut into similar sizes for even layering.
Is this salad suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, this Cool Carrot Salad is naturally vegan! The dressing is made with vegetable oil and vinegar, making it a great option for those following a vegan lifestyle. You can also explore variations by adding nuts or seeds for extra protein.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).