Moroccan Carrot Salad (Traditional Recipe)

Last Updated on March 8, 2024 by Safaa (founder of moroccanzest)

Moroccan Carrot Salad (Traditional Recipe)

Moroccan carrot salad is definitely one of those recipes I always go back to whenever I want a fragrant, quick, and healthy dish. It’s so simple and yet tastes delicious thanks to the smart combination of spices and other aromatic ingredients.

If you’ve never cooked a carrot salad the Moroccan way, prepare yourself for a culinary revelation in your kitchen. The steps are easy, the ingredients are simple, and you will be amazed at the deliciousness you create!

You probably already have all you need in your fridge for this recipe. It’s so easy to make, and I really encourage you to give it a try!

Growing up in Morocco, I probably had this carrot salad at least once a week. If you visit Morocco, you’ll probably have it on the menu of every restaurant and riad, served as a side dish or as a light dinner option.

Moroccan carrot salad

The best part about this carrot salad is that it takes less than 30 minutes to make. It can also be frozen, so if you have busy days like me, just prepare a big batch and freeze small portions.

Moroccan carrot salad is traditionally made with preserved lemons, but they are optional. However, using them will add a delicious punch of flavor and bring the recipe to a whole new level.

If you use preserved lemons, make sure to taste them before adding them to the rest of the ingredients to be aware of how salty they are. That way you can adjust the salt quantity for the whole dish.

Preserved lemons are a staple in Moroccan cuisine. They smell amazingly good and whenever you open the jar, a delicious citrusy and sweet smell fills the air. I generally make my own preserved lemons. They are super easy to make but take weeks to be ready, so if you run out, make sure you find a brand that uses only natural ingredients. I provide a link below to the brand I use.

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5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 9 reviews)
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tasty!

June 15, 2020

everyone loved this carrot salad, even my kids and they are picky eaters. thank you! Just got myself your Moroccan recipes cards, can’t wait to use them.

rachel mayor

love it

June 25, 2019

my kids LOVED it !!! now they want to eat carrots which is insane. thank you dear Safa!!

liza

Thank you for your wonderful website

May 24, 2022

Thank you for your wonderful website

Suzanne

Response from Moroccanzest

Thank you Suzanne! -xxx

my little princess loved her carrots

September 18, 2020

thank you, finally a carrot recipe that my little girl liked. flavorful and healthy with all the natural ingredients.

cristina yammesh

perfect for summer

June 15, 2020

very fresh and delicious salad. thank you for sharing the recipe with us

mike

party for the taste buds

May 11, 2020

my favorite carrot salad, hands down

lila

thank you thank you

January 31, 2020

I don’t usually leave reviews but I wanted to thank you for this recipe. My daughter who hates carrots loved this carrot salad and my husband, who visited Morocco years ago, said this salad tasted like something he had in Morocco. so thank you. can’t wait to try the other recipe.

tana

recipe for preserved lemons

June 24, 2019

can you please share the recipe for preserved lemons? thank you for this awesome recipe, definitely going to try it!

yara

so yummy

June 24, 2019

tried it last weekend and my family loved it. thank you!!

katy

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The Best Moroccan Carrot Salad Recipe

The Traditional Moroccan carrot salad recipe as made in Morocco. Fragrant and easy to make.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 140kcal
Author: Safaa (founder of moroccanzest)

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker (optional)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh carrots peeled and cut in slices
  • ยฝ slice preserved lemon, 100% natural deseed and cut in fine slices
  • 1/2 lemon juice if not juicy enough, use the juice from an entire lemon
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped coriander
  • 1 medium size garlic clove, grated
  • 1 tsp paprika powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • ยฝ tsp black pepper
  • ยผ tsp salt (adjust quantity if needed)

Instructions

  • Steam the carrots in a pressure cooker for 2 minutes. Alternatively, boil the carrots in a hot pan filled with water. Carrots should be cooked al dente.
  • In a pan on medium heat, put the carrots, the olive oil and garlic.
  • Add the spices, parsley, coriander, lemon juice and preserved lemons. Cook for 2 minutes while mixing.
  • Add the water, reduce the heat and let everything cook for 5-10 minutes, until there is no liquid in the pan and the carrots are well infused with the spices.
  • You can serve hot, tepid or cold, depending on your preference, either as a salad or with toasted bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal

Safaa, founder of moroccanzest

From design and decor to food and travel, moroccanzest is the space where I share what I loved growing up in Morocco, and more. Itโ€™s your destination for everything beautiful, artistic, and made the Moroccan way with love. Learn more about me here.