This delicious Giada italian carrot salad feels like a sunny day in a bowl—it’s that good. It’s made with simple ingredients like dried cranberries, fresh parsley leaves, and goats cheese, and the flavors are just incredible.

It takes 40 minutes to prepare, which gives me just enough time to set the mood with vibrant vibes while it’s cooking. It’s my favorite lunch because it’s so light and easy to make. I like to serve it directly from the bowl and enjoy every bite.

Recipe Ingredients

• 1/3 cup limoncello
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 1/2 pounds large carrots, peeled and grated
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled

How To Make Giada italian carrot salad

Soak Cranberries

1. Warm the Limoncello: Gently heat the limoncello in a small saucepan over medium heat until steam starts rising. It should be hot but not simmering. No need for bubbles!
2. Steep Cranberries: Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the dried cranberries, and cover with plastic wrap. Let them soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then drain.

Make the Salad

1. Grate the Carrots: Using a box grater with large holes, grate those carrots into a medium bowl.
2. Add Flavor and Fixings: Season the carrots with salt, add the soaked cranberries, chopped parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil. Give it all a good toss to combine the magic.
3. Top with Goat Cheese: Crumble that soft goat cheese over the carrot mixture and serve!

Recipe Tips

• Spice It Up: Elevate the flavors of Giada’s Italian carrot salad by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to give it a nice spicy kick and balance out the sweetness of the carrots.
• Ingredient Substitution: For a lighter version of Giada’s Italian carrot salad, swap out the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, which reduces the calorie count while maintaining the creamy texture.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the Italian carrot salad up to a day in advance by grating the carrots and making the dressing separately, then combine just before serving for optimal crunch and freshness.
• Freshness Matters: To keep the Italian carrot salad fresh for a longer period, use the freshest ingredients, including crunchy carrots and aromatic herbs, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C).
• Customize to Taste: Personalize Giada’s Italian carrot salad to your taste preferences by adding some toasted pine nuts for crunch, dried cranberries for sweetness, or crumbled feta cheese for a tangy kick.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Giada Recipes:

• Giada Strawberry-Mint Omelet
• Giada Espresso–Peanut Butter “Better” Brownies
• Giada Hot Italian Sausage–Stuffed Dates