Traditional German Carrot Salad (Karottensalat)

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. 

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.

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.