Carrot Pineapple Salad (Dairy free, Gluten free)

Carrot Pineapple Salad – It’s a grown up, healthy version of the retro carrot pineapple gelatin salad from childhood. A creamy sweet orange dressing takes the place of the gelatin. It’s absolutely delicious!

I’ve been slowly working my way through old family recipes, making them plant based and healthier.

So far, I’ve reinvented and shared with you Mushroom Pepper Steak, Classic Vegan Toffee Bars, and Gluten Free Date Bread. Next up is my paternal Grandma’s Carrot Pineapple Gelatin Salad.

Does anyone else remember eating this as a kid? It’s super retro and was a love it or hate it kind of dish.

Me – I loved it! It was at every family gathering, from special holidays to backyard picnics.

My Carrot Pineapple Salad is a like a grown up version of the gelatin salad…and definitely healthier!

Beautiful Fresh Produce

I think it’s pretty obvious that I, the creator of Veggie Inspired, adore fresh produce. I love walking up and down the produce aisles or visiting farmers markets to see what looks fresh and delicious.

My maternal Grandma brought me over a fresh pineapple last week. As soon as I opened the fridge and saw the package of carrots I had just recently bought, I knew immediately what I would be making.

Sweet, juicy, crunchy, yummy, Carrot Pineapple Salad.

I wanted to find out the origins of this retro salad so I hit up Google. I didn’t actually find the answer, but I did find that nearly every recipe for the carrot pineapple gelatin salad used lemon jello. I was surprised to learn that as my Grandma always used orange jello.

Creamy Orange Dressing

We are ditching the gelatin in this grown up Carrot Pineapple Salad.

In honor of my Grandma’s version which used orange jello, I instead made an orange dressing.

A little bit of dairy free yogurt, the juice from sweet Cara Cara oranges, and even a dash of turmeric for color and it’s superfood properties.

It’s creamy, tangy and sweet and pairs perfectly with the carrots and pineapples.

An Easy Easter Salad

This yummy salad would be great for any day of the week, but it’s gorgeous enough to be part of your Easter table. 

Don’t forget to add these delicious recipes to your Easter menu too!

• Curried Tofu Salad Sandwiches (just like egg salad, but BETTER!)
• Vegan Carrot Soup
• Herb Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad
• Gluten Free Thumbprint Cookies (with gorgeous pastel colors made from REAL whole foods!)

Carrot Pineapple Salad

I hope you try this grown up Carrot Pineapple Salad! If you do, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback and star rating.

You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it!

Enjoy!

Print

Carrot Pineapple Salad (Dairy free, Gluten free)

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Carrot Pineapple Salad – It’s a grown up, healthy version of the retro carrot pineapple gelatin salad from childhood. A creamy sweet orange dressing takes the place of the gelatin. It’s absolutely delicious!

Course: Salad

Cuisine: dairy free, egg free, gluten free, oil free, soy free, vegan

Keyword: best carrot salad, Easter salad, pineapple salad

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 106 kcal

Author: Jenn Sebestyen

Ingredients

Carrot Pineapple Salad

• 1 lb carrots (peeled)
• 2 cups small pineapple chunks
• 1/4 cup dried cherries (optional)

Creamy Orange Dressing (makes about 1/2 cup)

• 1/4 cup dairy free plain yogurt (I used So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Yogurt Alternative PLAIN)
• juice of 1 Cara Cara orange *
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients and set aside.
2. With your vegetable peeler, peel "ribbons" from your carrots. Hold the narrow end of the carrot in your hand while you peel away from you making long ribbons. (Alternately, you can shred the carrots with the big holes of a box grater or a food processor shredder blade.)
3. Toss the carrot ribbons, pineapple and dried cherries together.
4. Drizzle with some of the dressing (you probably won't need all of it) and toss well.
5. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Cara Cara oranges are sweeter than typical navel oranges. If you can't find them, use whatever you have and taste for sweetness. Feel free to add a tablespoon of pure maple syrup if you want it sweeter.

This salad can be made in advance and stored in the fridge. It holds up extremely well, even mixed with the dressing. In fact, I think it's even better the next day as the carrots soften just a bit.

Perfect to double or triple to feed a crowd.

 

Nutrition Facts

Carrot Pineapple Salad (Dairy free, Gluten free)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 106 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1g 2%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Sodium 225mg 9%

Potassium 433mg 12%

Total Carbohydrates 25g 8%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 16g

Protein 2g 4%

Vitamin A 388%

Vitamin C 31%

Calcium 7%

Iron 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Quick and Easy Salads to Love:

White Bean Salad (perfect on it’s own or turn it into a sandwich!)

Sugar Snap Pea Salad w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette (oil free!)

Vegan Quinoa Salad with Fresh Lime and Dill Vinaigrette