Fresh and Crunchy Cabbage and Carrot Salad is the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again. It’s simple, quick to make, and packed with vibrant veggies that bring plenty of color and crunch to the table. Whether you’re just getting comfortable in the kitchen or you’ve been cooking for years, this salad comes together effortlessly and delivers big on flavor with minimal fuss.
This Fresh and Crunchy Cabbage and Carrot Salad couldn’t be easier to make. It starts with a bagged cabbage and carrot mix, so there’s no chopping required, and it comes with dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness. Fresh parsley adds color and brightness, while a simple white wine vinaigrette brings everything together with a light, tangy finish. It’s quick, effortless, and the perfect way to enjoy a fresh, veggie-loaded salad without any extra fuss.
Ingredients
- Cabbage/carrot bagged mix- to simplify this recipe, I used Trader Joe's cabbage and carrot bagged mix. Be sure to check and make sure the vegetables are fresh, otherwise, thinly slice them yourself.
- Fresh parsley- the bright green pop of color is so pretty in the salad, but it adds delicious flavor as well.
- Dried cranberries- you can also use raisins or currants, but I prefer craisins in mine.
- Shallots- white or yellow onions could be used as a substitute if you prefer.
- Olive oil- extra virgin
- White wine vinegar
- Honey—Granulated sugar could also be used in the vinaigrette, but honey tastes so much better.
- Dijon mustard- this is used as an emulsifier and for flavor.
- Salt and pepper- for the vinaigrette as well.
How to make
This salad is so easy to make, let me show you how. Add your cabbage mix to a large bowl. If you are slicing your own, be sure to slice it nice and thin (a mandolin works great for this). Add the craisins, shallots, and chopped parsley to the bowl.
In a small bowl or mason jar, add all the ingredients for the white wine vinaigrette. Mix them well, taste, and add more salt and pepper as needed. Drizzle over the salad right before serving and mix well.
Add-in Options
One of the best things about this salad is how versatile it is! There are a lot of really fun add-in options you need to consider.
- Nuts- If you want to add nuts to the salad, pecans and walnuts are delicious.
- Seeds- Let me recommend sunflower seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, flax, etc.
- Dried Fruit- I used craisins, but dried cherries are also good. If you have not tried dried pineapple, that is good in here as well, or even the classic raisin.
Other Salad Ideas
- Green Goddess Salad
- Fruit and Microgreen Salad
- Asian Slaw
- Strawberry Basil Salad
- Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad
- Vegetarian Couscous Salad
- Superfoods Salad
Fresh and Crunchy Cabbage and Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups cabbage carrot bagged mixes or equivalent if you are slicing it on your own.
- ½ cup thinly sliced shallots
- ¾ cup chopped parsley
- 1 cup craisins
White wine vinaigrette
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt more as needed
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the cabbage/carrot mix, shallots, parsley, and dried cranberries to a large bowl.
- Mix all ingredients for the dressing. Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.
- Right before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to mix it together.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!