• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
My Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Soups, Salads & Light Meals » Salad

    Traditional German Carrot Salad (Karottensalat)

    Published: May 27, 2021 · Modified: Jun 2, 2021 by Marita · 26 Comments

    575 shares
    • facebook
    • whatsapp
    • yummly
    Jump to Recipe

    Sweet, a little sour, freshening and easy – this pretty much sums up this German carrot salad recipe. It is one of my kids’ favourites, as it does not have the sharp vinegary flavour that some salads bring with them. The salad is light and refreshing.

    I think this is the  “Best Authentic German Carrot Salad”. Why? Because I got this recipe from my mother of course. There are many versions of how to make this dish, but this one comes close to the traditional recipe. 

    German carrot salad in a blue bowl. A fork is sticking in the salat. In the background you can see fresh carrots and lemons

    The standout ingredient to me is that this salad is made with grated apple. Apple is a very popular ingredient in German salads. In a previous post, I have shared my potato salad with apple, German egg salad with apple and my cucumber radish salad with apple. The apple in salads adds some sweetness and freshness.

    What is German Carrot Salad?

    Well, can you guess? As the name suggests it is a salad made from raw carrots. It is a popular dish in Germany and you will find it ready-made in supermarkets or it will be served as a side dish at restaurants. You can find this dish with and without the grated apple.

    What is carrot in German?

    The most common term for carrot in German is “Karotte”. However, there are several other words that describe this vegetable such as “Möhren, Wurzeln, Rüben or Mohrrüben”.

    How to make this German Carrot Salad?

    Ingredients for 4 people as a side dish:

    • 400 g carrots (14 oz)
    • 1 apple (tart)

    For the carrot salad dressing

    • 2 tablespoon sunflower oil
    • 2 tablespoon cider vinegar (alternatively use white wine vinegar)
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon sugar (alternatively you can use honey or a low-calorie sugar replacement).

    To serve (optional)

    Fresh herbs such as parsley or chives, Seeds and nuts such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds, walnuts and hazelnuts.

    Recipe Steps:

    1. Peel the carrots and chop of the stalk.
    2. Peel and core the apple
    3. Using a hand grater or a kitchen machine, shred the carrot into thin strips. You do want to keep some texture in the carrots so make you do not shred them too fine.
    4. Now let’s create the salad dressing for the shredded carrot. In a separate bowl mix the sunflower oil, vinegar, lemon juice and sugar.
    5. Pour the vinaigrette over the shredded carrots and apples.
    6. Season with salt and pepper.
    7. Leave to marinate for at least an hour for the flavours to immerse.
    8. Before serving you can optionally sprinkle the salad with some fresh herbs such as parsley or chives. You can also top the salad with some nuts, seeds, or raisins.

    Which nuts and seeds go well with carrot salad?

    Carrot Salad with seeds or nuts is one of my favourite combinations because it adds an extra crunch to this juicy dish. Here are my favourite combinations

    • Pumpkin Seeds
    • Sunflower Seeds
    • Walnuts
    • Hazelnuts

    Is this salad healthy?

    Because this salad is made from raw carrots, it still has all the nutrients that sometimes get lose if the vegetables are cooked. Carrots are a good source of beta carotene, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants (Source healthline) Carotene, is linked to great eyesight.

    The carrot salad dressing is made without mayonnaise, which makes it a lighter salad.

    Carrot salad on a fork. In the background you can see the bowl of salad and some lemons and fresh carrots

    How to serve this Carrot and Apple Salad?

    This salad is served cold. It tends to be served as a side for the evening meal with bread and cuts of meat and cheese. It is also a popular dish to bring to a buffet or picnics, as it is easy to transport in an airtight container. We like to bring this German Carrot Apple Salad to BBQs because its light and refreshing and goes well with heavy, fatty meat dishes.

    Storage Instructions

    How long does carrot salad last?

    This salad should be kept in the fridge in an airtight container. There is should last between 3-4 days.

    Can I freeze shredded carrot salad?

    Yes you can. Just place it in an airtight container and defrost within three months. This is great if you want to prepare it in advance for a buffet or party.

    German Apple Carrot Salad with lemons and carrots in the background

    German Carrot Salad (Karottensalat)

    Marita
    A delicious grated carrot salad with apple. This easy carrot salad recipe is vegan and gluten free.
    4.87 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine German
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 134 kcal

    Equipment

    • kitchenmaschine or hand grater

    Ingredients
      

    • 400 g carrots 9 oz ( about 5 large carrots)
    • 1 apple tart

    For the carrot salad dressing

    • 2 tablespoon sunflower oil or any other plant based oil
    • 2 tablespoon cider vinegar alternativley use white wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon sugar alternatively use an alternative sweetener such as honey or sugar replacement

    To serve (optional)

    • 2 tablespoon fresh herbs such as chives or parsley
    • 2 tablespoon seeds or nuts such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds, walnuts or hazelnuts.

    Instructions
     

    • Peel the carrots and remove the stalk.
    • Peel and core the apple
    • Using a hand grater or a kitchen machine, shred the carrot into thin strips. You do want to keep some texture in the carrots so make you do not shred them too fine.
    • Now let’s create the salad dressing for the shredded carrot. In a separate bowl mix the sunflower oil, vinegar, lemon juice and sugar.
    • Pour the vinaigrette over the shredded carrots and apples.
    • Season with salt and pepper.
    • Leave to marinate for at least an hour for the flavours to immerse.
    • Before serving you can optionally sprinkle the salad with some fresh herbs such as parsley or chives. You can also top the salad with some nuts, seeds, or raisins. Serve cold.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 71mgPotassium: 389mgFiber: 4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 16899IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Carrot Salad no mayo, German Carrot and Apple Recipe, marinated carrot salad, Shredded Carrot Salad, sweet and sour carrot salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Spinach and Pea Soup with Mint (Vegan)
    Easy German Vanilla Sauce Recipe (Vanillesoße) »
    575 shares
    • facebook
    • whatsapp
    • yummly

    Filed Under: Salad, Soups, Salads & Light Meals, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

      July 19, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      This looks and sounds utterly delicious - my kind of salad! Eb 🙂

      Reply
      • Marita

        July 22, 2021 at 8:41 am

        Thank you Eb

        Reply
    2. Kat (Kat's Veg Kitchen)

      July 19, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      5 stars
      I've not heard of this before but it sounds like a tasty alternative to coleslaw!

      Reply
      • Marita

        July 22, 2021 at 8:41 am

        Yes its a bit like coleslaw but no mayo and no cabbage x

        Reply
    3. Sarah James

      July 08, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      Your carrot salad looks so light and fresh. I love the addition of apple, thanks for sharing and hosting CookBlogShare.

      Reply
      • Marita

        July 09, 2021 at 8:26 pm

        Thank you and it was my pleasure

        Reply
    4. Carrie Carvalho

      July 08, 2021 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      So fresh and tasty, love the addition of apple.

      Reply
      • Marita

        July 09, 2021 at 8:27 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    5. Jo Keohane

      July 08, 2021 at 9:05 am

      5 stars
      So fresh and delicious, carrot and apple are two of my favourite ingredients. Thank you very much for posting this recipe and hosting #cookblogshare

      Reply
      • Marita

        July 09, 2021 at 8:28 pm

        Thank you and my pleasure x

        Reply
    6. Kate

      July 08, 2021 at 8:13 am

      5 stars
      Gorgeous carrot salad with so many lovely flavours that really complement the carrots. Delicious!

      Reply
    7. Jacqui – Recipes Made Easy:Only Crumbs Remain

      July 06, 2021 at 6:48 pm

      what a lovely bright salad. I do like simple and tasty recipes like this.

      Reply
    8. Karen

      July 06, 2021 at 5:48 pm

      I LOVE carrot salad and especially with BBQ’s 😊thank you for hosting this week…..lovely round up! Karen

      Reply
    9. Melissa Altman-Traub

      July 06, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great idea and would be nice for summer barbecues and picnics!

      Reply
    10. Lesley

      July 06, 2021 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      I love salads like this, the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavours and super simple to make. A real winner.

      Reply
    11. Corina Blum

      July 06, 2021 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy this side salad is to make. I think it's a great idea to add apple to the carrot - It sound lovely!

      Reply
    12. Janice

      July 06, 2021 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      Family recipes are the best! Such a simple recipe and so delicious.

      Reply
    13. Choclette

      July 06, 2021 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      Love a carrot salad. It's so quick and easy to make. I bet yours is even more delicious with the apple in it.

      Reply
    14. KALIN

      June 01, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      This looks so simple yet so flavorful! I’ve never had it before but will have to try if

      Reply
      • Marita

        June 01, 2021 at 7:24 pm

        Thank you, Kalin, hope you will enjoy it.

        Reply
    15. Julia

      May 31, 2021 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      This is so simple... I love the idea of a carrot salad and as it's BBQ season this is a perfect recipe to go with all the other summer foods.

      Reply
      • Marita

        June 01, 2021 at 8:08 am

        HI Julia, yes this is one of my favorite salads to bring to a BBQ.

        Reply
    16. Giangi

      May 31, 2021 at 3:11 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy!!! Love the simplicity of this recipe. A perfect dish to go alongside any great meal.

      Reply
      • Marita

        June 01, 2021 at 8:06 am

        Thank you Giangi. It is really delicious.

        Reply
    17. Gregory

      May 31, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      Simple, delcious and nutritious! Three of my favorite words to describe eating. I love this recipe. The dressing sounds amazing!

      Reply
      • Marita

        June 01, 2021 at 8:07 am

        Thank you Greg! And Yes the dressing does taste amazing. x

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Marita Headshot

    Hi - I'm Marita!

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. I love making German recipes and exploring the cultural history behind each dish.

    Learn more about me →

    Let's get social

    Popular Posts

    • Traditional German Cheesecake (Käsekuchen)
    • Moist Streuselkuchen (German Crumb Cake)
    • Donauwelle (Danube Cake / Schneewitchen Kuchen)
    • German Poppy Seed Cake (Mohnkuchen)
    An advert for a free Mini German Cookbook

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 My Dinner

    • 273