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.
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!
- 1 lb carrots (peeled)
- 2 cups small pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup dried cherries (optional)
- 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)
- Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients and set aside.
- 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.)
- Toss the carrot ribbons, pineapple and dried cherries together.
- Drizzle with some of the dressing (you probably won't need all of it) and toss well.
- Enjoy!
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.
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!)
Herb Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Cara Cara oranges are so good! I love how you updated this classic salad.
Jenn S. says
Ours too! So sweet!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
I remember that salad! Why did they insist on encasing so many foods in Jello in the 70s? This version looks SO MUCH better!!
Jenn S. says
HaHa! Yes, it seems like there was a jello salad for just about every ingredient you could think of. While I did love the jello version of this, I think ditching the gelatin takes it to a level everyone will enjoy! 🙂 Thanks, Dianne!
Megan says
I love this! It is so pretty! I love the combo! I never would have thought to put carrots and pineapple together in a Salad! Great idea!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Megan! It’s a great pairing and I think even better with the gelatin! 🙂
Becky Striepe says
This looks so good! I used to love carrot raisin salad, and yours looks way better than the ones I had as a kid!
Jenn S. says
Aw, thanks, Becky! The traditional carrot raisins salads of my childhood always had a mayo based dressing – icky! I hope you like this one!! 🙂
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
I love that you’re working your way through old family recipes- sounds like so much fun! Your salad looks so fresh and vibrant and that dressing is just bursting with flavor!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Sonali! It’s definitely flavorful.
Jessica- Nutritioulicious says
This looks and sounds so delicious! I love the way you used cara cara oranges in the dressing! Yum!
Jenn S. says
I’ve been obsessed with cara cara oranges lately. So sweet and delicious! Thanks, Jessica!
Jessica says
Me too! I can’t get enough of them. But sadly I think the season is coming to an end 🙁
Jenn S. says
Yes, probably.:(
Rebecca | NOURISHED. says
Yum!! This looks perfect!! I’ve never had a retro carrot salad before but I think i’d take this version any day!! Love the cara cara juice in here too 😉
Jenn S. says
I’ve been obsessed with cara cara oranges lately! So sweet and delicious! Thanks, Rebecca!
Alisa Fleming says
I love carrot pineapple salad but have never added cherries! Is that traditional, or just your own fun flavor addition?
Jenn S. says
No, not traditional in the gelatin salad. But raisins are a common ingredient in carrots salads in general. I don’t like raisins, so I thought dried cherries would be a nice flavor complement and I love the how it breaks up all the bright colors too. They are totally optional, however. Thanks, Alisa!
Sarah says
This looks simply delicious! Love the combination of flavors and it uses my favorite So Delicious so I need to make this for lunch this week! Pinned, thank you for sharing!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Sarah!I love So Delicious too! I hope you love this!