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    Home » Gluten-Free Side Dishes

    Raw Carrot Zucchini Salad

    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it
    Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it
    Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it
    Pinterest image with text: two images of spiralized zucchini salad with strawberries and pecans

    A refreshingly raw salad perfect as a light, refreshing side dish. This carrot zucchini salad uses spiralized zucchini noodles for its fun, crunchy texture and is tossed in a maple, balsamic dressing.

    I have an advertisement relationship with the ads in this post. Check out my disclaimer here
    White plate with zucchini carrot salad in it with cherry tomatoes.

    Are you sick and tired of forcing yourself to eat the same old leafy green salad?

    You want to eat healthily but you're just so sick of all the bland food.

    I get that.

    As a Certified Nutrition Coach, my goal is to get a lot of color onto my plate. But I also like to enjoy my food too. And that means having some variety!

    This simple raw salad is a blend of zucchini noodles, crunchy carrots, fresh strawberries, and delicious pecans.

    It's the perfect, in-a-pinch side dish to something like a grilled chicken sandwhich or, topped with protein to create a complete entree. Plus, it's easily whipped up the night before.

    Watch a full demo video on how to make it. 

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Easy to make - because the carrot zucchini salad is raw, all you have is the prep time (10 minutes) for this dish.

    Versatile - a side dish, a main course, a meal prepped lunch. This zucchini noodle salad can be anything you need it to be.

    Nutrient-dense - this zucchini salad is loaded with fresh vegetables to add some color to your plate!

    Ingredients For The Salad

    Raw zucchini: use up the extra zucchini from the garden.

    Carrot: the larger the carrot the easier it is to spiralize. If you have extra, rock this carrot ginger soup!

    Cherry tomatoes: any tomatoes will work but cherry tomatoes give a pop of color.

    Strawberries: get the ripest ones you can for a juicy burst. Know that any summer fruit works well.

    Avocado: gives the salad a boost of plant-based proteins and healthy fats.

    Pecans: regular or even toasted pecans work well but candied pecans are especially delicious.

    Chickpeas: totally optional but a great addition if you're making this carrot zucchini salad a full meal. If you want something a bit lighter, leave them out.

    Dressing: three simple ingredients make up the maple balsamic dressing (also used in this maple balsamic chicken).

    White plate with zucchini carrot salad in it with cherry tomatoes.

    How To Make It

    1. Use a spiralizer to create the carrot and zucchini noodles.
    2. Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
    3. Toss the zucchini and carrots with the strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas if using.
    4. Mix in the salad dressing and let it all sit for 5 minutes.
    5. Portion the carrot zucchini salad into a salad bowl and top each bowl with pecans.

    What Is A Spiralizer?

    if you don't own a spiralizer- get on that! Definitely a staple appliance in the kitchen and one I use pretty often (for recipes like this zoodle bowls!).

    Spiralizers help:

    • keep your meals interesting
    • replace noodles in a dish with a healthier option
    • are great for low-carb recipes
    • make simple dishes like coleslaw or stir fry more visually appealing

    A spiralizer has been a staple in my kitchen for almost eight years now (I went through a raw stage).

    Not only is it fun (the kids love it!) but you can load up your meal with veggies and skip the starch.

    Protein Options

    This carrot salad is delicious as is and makes a great side dish.

    However, if you want to meal prep this salad for lunch, any of the following protein options are delicious.

    • Spicy chicken bites
    • Grilled chicken
    • Hardboiled egg.

    For vegan options, maple-glazed tempeh or fried tofu cubes would make wonderful additions on top of zucchini salad too.

    White plate with zucchini carrot salad in it with cherry tomatoes.

    Expert Tips

    Overall this carrots and zucchini salad is pretty straight-forward. However, there are a few things to note:

    • If you're making the carrot salad for the next day, don't add the dressing. The noodles will seem a bit soggy if it sits too long.
    • Maple balsamic dressing is a great compliment but the lemon dressing from this soba noodle bowl is great also along with any fresh herbs you have on hand.
    • After you spiralize the zucchini, let them sit in a strainer while you do the carrot. This way any water from them can drip off.
    • Make it whole30 approved: omit the maple syrup in the dressing and use a whole30 approved salad dressing. Likewise, eliminate the chickpeas.

    Dinner doesn’t have to be chaotic—this eBook gives you 20+ protein-packed meals ready in 30 minutes or less (even when the day’s already gone sideways)

    E-book cover image of streak fajitas with text about dinner recipes made in under thirty minutes.
    👉 Give Me Dinner in Under 30 Minutes

    Other Easy Side Dishes

    • Cauliflower rice
    • Dairy-free macaroni salad
    • Dairy-free cobb salad
    • Easy side dishes

    White plate with zucchini carrot salad in it with cherry tomatoes.

    Raw Carrot And Zucchini Salad

    fitasamamabear
    A delicious, nutrient-loaded carrot and zucchini salad topped with fresh strawberries, crunchy pecans and a tangy maple balsamic dressing.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 424 kcal

    Video

    Equipment

    • Spiralizer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 zucchini large
    • 1 carrot large
    • ⅔ cup chickpeas optional, avoid if low carb
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
    • ½ cup pecans chopped
    • 8 strawberries slices
    • ½ avocado
    • 1.5 tbs olive oil for the dressing
    • 2 tbs balsamic vinegar for the dressing
    • ½ tbs maple syrup for the dressing

    Instructions
     

    • Start by peeling the carrot and spiralizing the carrot and zucchini.
    • Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
    • Toss the spiralized veggies in your dressing of choice and let sit for five minutes.
    • Then, portion out the veggies into two bowls and top with the remaining ingredients.

    Notes

        • If you're making this for the next day, don't add the dressing. The noodles will seem a bit soggy if it sits too long.
        • Any neutral oil works for olive oil.
        • Maple balsamic dressing is a great compliment but the lemon dressing from this soba noodle bowl is great also.
        • After you spiralize the zucchini, let them sit in a strainer while you do the carrot. This way any water from them can drip off.
        • Make it whole30 approved: omit the maple syrup in the dressing and use a whole30 approved salad dressing. Likewise, eliminate the chickpeas.
        • This salad recipe stores well in the fridge for 2-3 days without the dressing added to it
    Disclaimer:

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"

    Nutrition

    Calories: 424kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 9gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 45mgPotassium: 794mgFiber: 9gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 5656IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword courgettes, summer, vegan zucchini salad, zucchini salad, zucchini,
    Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

    More Gluten-Free Side Dishes

    • Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping in a glass baking dish with a spoon in the dish.
      Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Pinterest image with text: Spinach salad with pecans in a white bowl with another bowl of salad behind it and pecans on the table
      Gluten-Free Spinach Salad
    • Glass bowl with macaroni salad in it with celery and red peppers and apple slices and an orange linen behind it
      Easy Dairy-Free Macaroni Salad
    • Glass bowl with roasted brussels sprouts and more sprouts on a baking tray behind it.
      Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts (No Bacon)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristen

      June 23, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      Love the look of this salad. This is my favorite way to eat in the summer and the whole family LOVES zucchini noodles, so I'm all over this!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear

        June 24, 2020 at 2:23 pm

        Zoodles are totally where it's at lol they just scream summer to me! But yes, this salad is super colorful!

        Reply
    2. Amy

      June 24, 2020 at 10:07 am

      5 stars
      I love that this meal can be 100% plant based and super healthy. I tried this yesterday and it was really good!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear

        June 24, 2020 at 2:24 pm

        Thanks so much for giving it a try! I love how versatile this sale can be (a meal, a side dish, topped with more if you like). So happy you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    3. Sharon

      June 25, 2020 at 1:41 am

      5 stars
      I definitely NEED to get a spiralizer. This looks fabulous and I love the sound of those candies pecans. Perfect for those warm months!

      Reply
    4. Vanessa

      June 25, 2020 at 5:41 am

      5 stars
      This recipe has convinced me to pull my spiralizer out from the back of the cupboard. Looks delish!

      Reply
    5. Cynthia Priest

      June 29, 2020 at 4:22 am

      5 stars
      I didn’t know you can eat zucchini raw! I will be giving my KitchenAid spiralizer a whirl. It is still sitting in its box.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear

        June 29, 2020 at 9:34 am

        You're the third person to tell me that about their spiralizer! Haha. But yes, aw zucchini is yummy with the right combo and zucchini noodles are just FUN. Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    6. Terri Gilson

      June 29, 2020 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      I love that this salad is not only fast, but healthy and delicious! I absolutely love zucchini because it's so versatile, takes on the flavor of whatever it's paired with and just tastes so fresh and delicious on its own!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear

        July 05, 2020 at 8:29 pm

        Yes! Zucchini literally goes with EVERYTHING. plus, we throw it so we end up with crazy excess amounts haha it's perfect.

        Reply
    7. Colleen

      June 29, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      Time to dust off my spiralizer! Especially since zucchini season is almost here. I love everything about this salad. It's a hearty meal but still so fresh and healthy

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear

        July 05, 2020 at 8:29 pm

        Haha definitely dust off the spiralizer! it just makes everything seem so fresh!

        Reply
    5 from 7 votes

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