During these hot summer months, I love a grilled or smoked main dish with a simple salad or two on the side.  Garden salad is always a hit.  Especially when it is served with a homemade dressing like Chive Buttermilk or Russian or Dill Pickle Barbecue Sauce.  However, sometimes life calls for something a little different like Carrot Apple Raisin Salad.  This is a naturally sweet, Whole30 side that is perfect with Salmon Sliders or anything from the electric smoker  (We love our Masterbuild Electric Smoker–read more about it here).

Carrot Apple Raisin Salad

I make this salad in the food processor, so it comes together in about 10 minutes.  It’s perfect for a week night side because it whips up so quickly.  And, it perfect when you are smoking something in your electric smoker because it only gets better after it’s had a little time in the refrigerator.  The naturally sweetness is a perfect complement to a smoky meat.

Start by shredding carrots, apples and celery.  (I used rainbow carrots because they are fun and add a little color to life and because why not?)

Make a dressing of mayo (use a Whole30 compliant mayo to make this a Whole30 side!), fresh lime juice and a touch of salt.  (I measure the mayonnaise in a glass measuring cup and then add the lime juice and salt and mix it before adding to the fresh ingredients.)

Mix all of it together adding the raisins last.  It’s just that easy.  You can serve it immediately or cover it and put it in the refrigerator a few hours or even a day or two ahead of time.  I love to make it at the same time we are getting the meat ready to go in the electric smoker, that way we can just pull it out when the meat is ready.

Quick Weeknight Side Salad

So when you are looking for the perfect weeknight (or any night) side salad to complement something cooked on the grill or smoked in the electric smoker, Carrot Apple Raisin Salad is the way to go.  It’s a perfect Close to Home side.  We hope that you will whip up a batch tonight.  It will last a couple of days in the refrigerator, too.  And let us know what you think.

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