This Marinated Carrot Salad is a very popular recipe from the 1960s, but is still as delicious today. It has a sweet tang that so many people like. I like it when the carrots are still tender-crisp and not fully cooked.
It goes great with our Easy Moroccan Couscous, Pineapple Coleslaw, or Creamy Sugar Snap Peas with Bacon for any get-together.

This Marinated Carrot Salad is so easy to make and a great make-ahead salad, too. It loves to bathe away for hours in the yummy dressing, just waiting for you any time you want. Therefore, this makes a great salad to take to BBQs or any gatherings.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Brings back memories for me
- Great summer recipe
- Perfect as a make-ahead salad
- Easily portable
- Love the sweet, tangy flavor
Helpful Items for the Recipe
This post contains affiliate links.
Wavy Crinkle Cutting Tool Serrator Salad Chopping Knife
Porcelain Serving Oval Bowls 1.1 quart/40 oz-Salad/Pasta Dishes Set, 2 Packs

What is in a Marinated Salad?

Recipe Ingredients
Carrots peeled and sliced – I like to slice the carrots with a wave cutter. It just makes them so much more attractive in the salad, but it is not necessary.
Green pepper sliced thinly – This adds another dimension to the salad, and I like the green pepper for color and taste.
Sweet or regular onion sliced thinly – Sweet onion is a nice choice for this salad, but a regular onion works great here too.
Dressing
Canola oil – This is a nice light oil and works well with the other ingredients.
White vinegar – This balances the sweetness with all the other ingredients.
Sugar – This adds the sweetness to the dressing that balances perfectly with the vinegar.
Condensed Tomato Soup – You are asking soup? Yes, this is like the secret ingredient and really makes the dressing special.
Yellow mustard – Yellow mustard is just perfect in this dressing; you don’t need the sharpness of Dijon.
Worcestershire sauce – Adds that tang and umami flavor to the salad.
Salt and pepper to taste – As always, I use Kosher and freshly grinded pepper.
How to Make a Simple Carrot Salad

This Marinated Carrot Salad is a fabulous side to go with so many mains, and it’s great for a summer gathering. It is a nostalgic recipe for me, as it was something that my mom and grandmother used to make. It is a tangy, sweet side that appeals to many for summer BBQ.


Add the carrots to a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and cook for about 5 min. or until tender crisp. Don’t overcook so that they are falling apart. Drain the carrots and let them cool.
While the carrots cook, in a small pot, add the canola oil, vinegar, sugar, tomato soup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir to let the sugar dissolve and the ingredients meld together. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.


Mix the carrots, green peppers, and onions together in a container with a lid. Add the dressing and toss well. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving.
Summer salads are the best!! A salad like this is great at any gathering, is completely portable and is easy to make days ahead of time.

The sunny colors are wonderful to put out on any table! It really is a welcoming salad and will be gobbled down any night of the week.

She would have this salad in a larger container if we were taking it to a party or outing. Otherwise, she would keep portions in large mason jars for different meals. The recipe I have is old, tattered, with many spills, you know then that is a well-used and loved recipe.
How to Cut Carrots for a Salad

I love using a serrated slicer for the carrots, but if you don’t have one, then a diagonal cut is also pretty, but coins will work, too.
I have included a serrated slicer in the helpful items for this recipe. It is an inexpensive utensil and works great with carrots, making them look just that little bit fancier.
Just don’t make them too thick and try to keep them uniform when slicing. The green peppers and onions add to the salad in color, texture, and taste.

Recipe Pro Tips!

How Long Does Marinated Carrot Salad last?
This recipe will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge if sealed tightly. It is a great portable recipe for any gathering.
Great make-ahead that is delicious and gives you something different to go with those yummy coleslaw, pasta salads, and potato salads.
FAQs
Carrots can be used in subtle dishes right up to robust pairings. They enhance the flavor of a meat dish also and are extremely versatile.
This salad is also vegetarian and even vegan without the Worcestershire sauce, so everyone can enjoy it. Try it at one of your summer parties or meals soon; I bet it will be a winner of a side!!

CARROTS, CARROTS AND MORE CARROTS
I love carrots, and they are a healthy vegetable too. They are versatile and can be enjoyed in so many ways. Here are some of our favorite recipes.
Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!


Marinated Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups carrots peeled and sliced
- 1 medium green pepper sliced thinly
- 1 medium sweet or regular onion sliced thinly
Dressing
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 can 10 oz. Condensed Tomato Soup
- 1 tsp. yellow mustard
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the carrots to a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and cook for about 5 min. or until tender crisp. Don’t overcook so that they are falling apart. Drain the carrots and let them cool.
- While the carrots cook, in a small pot, add the canola oil, vinegar, sugar, tomato soup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir to let the sugar dissolve and the ingredients meld together. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Mix the carrots, green peppers, and onions together in a container with a lid. Add the dressing and toss well. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving.
Comments & Reviews
Kay says
This is an old-fashioned recipe that my mom made 50 years ago called “Copper Pennies”, a favorite of mine. If you’re single like me, use fewer veggies, and when they’re gone, freeze the leftover sauce for the next time. Mom sliced her carrots 1/4” to look like coins. She didn’t boil the marinade. She mixed it by hand until the sugar dissolved completely. I will try it your way. The vibrant color is beautiful. It’s a side dish I love to bring to a big potluck or Thanksgiving because no one else does!
Tara Noland says
My mom also made it 50 years, it was so popular!! So glad you enjoy it, it is a great salad.
Amanda says
What can I use instead of tomato soup? I’m allergic to milk and wheat and both are in canned soup.
Tara Noland says
Maybe a tomato sauce but I would sweeten it a bit with sugar.
Amy Schnurr says
How many carrots equals 5-6 cups?
Tara Noland says
Totally varies on the size of your carrots, that is why I recommend cups as opposed to a number of carrots. If you search it they say one carrot per cup but that has to be a good-sized carrot.
Gwen says
I make this salad on occasion. It’s so good! The recipe I use is the same as yours except dry mustard is used ànd the recipe is called “Copper Pennies “.
Tara Noland says
It is a keeper even after all these years!! I like the dry mustard addition!!
Alaine says
This salad is awesome!! Have been taking it to functions for well over 25 years. My mother in law made it the first for the family and because I loved it gave me the Royal Canadian Ladies Auxiliary cook book!! It’s wonderful try rit with chicken wings, burgers sausage on a bun hotdogs and anything BBQ’d you’ll love it!!
Tara Noland says
Thank you Alaine! We love this salad too, brings back lots of good memories for me!!
Emily J says
Loving this recipe. I had to think of the carrot salad my Aunt Mary Francis used to make and in describing it to others they always resorted to the carrot salad with the pineapples and raisins. I kept saying no, it was more vinegar based. So my search began and once I made your recipe, I knew it was the one.
Tara Noland says
So glad you found it and made it and enjoyed it. Bring back lots of memories for me too. It was very popular back in the 60’s and 70’s!
neurotic mom says
Love this! My mother in law always made it for picnics in the 80’s. She called it Copper Pennies. Always taste better as it “ages”.
Tara Noland says
I now remember them being called that too and yes it definitely tastes better as time goes on! Enjoy!!
Joyce Bethune says
I have a friend who can’t eat tomatoes. What can be used instead of the tomato soup?
Tara Noland says
I would omit the tomato soup entirely and just make the dressing. If you want more flavor, add your favorite herbs and maybe garlic too.
Dot says
This salad is NOT gluten free, as Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup includes gluten. Don’t be fooled!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much for the information, that must have slipped my mind. I will change it ASAP!!
Christina Ihinger says
my siblings and I were born in the 60s. I remember my mother making this for partys and picnics. My children and i were just talking about making this for thanksgiving . I havent made this in at least 15 years. Thank you for the refresher on the recipe.
Tara Noland says
It is a classic vintage recipe, brought back lots of memories for me! It was popular in our house all the time when I was growing up.
Irina says
Hi
I want to try this carrot salad recipe
Just can you tell me about one ingredient, soup> what did you mean by soup?
Irina
Tara Noland says
You use a 10 oz. can tomato soup but don’t dilute it as the instructions say but add it with the other ingredients.
Patti says
The instructions didn’t tell you to dilute the soup.
Tara Noland says
That is correct, the soup gets “diluted” with the other ingredients in the recipe.
Ruth I. says
I like that it’s easy and simple to make. I can’t wait to try it!
Rachel says
This is an interesting sounding recipe. I am trying to picture the tomato with it.
Tara Noland says
Think of Catalina dressing.
Laura says
It’s delicious. I always get asked for the recipe when taken tò potlucks. People are a little hesitant, then go back for seconds…lol
Catalina says
Carrots are favorite in our house. I should try this carrot salad for dinner!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is really a must-make! Looks so good!
Heather says
I love the bright colors and texture of this salad. This might be a great way to get my kids to eat their veggies.
Heather says
I love cooked carrots but unfortunately my kids aren’t into it. I’ll have to save this idea for when I can enjoy it alone 😉 haha
Tara Noland says
Just cook them tender crisp, they won’t think they are cooked because you serve the salad cold.
Dawn Nieves says
I’ve never had this before but it sure looks good! I love carrots and want to give this a try this weekend!
Tara Pittman says
This recipe sounds so delicious. I like carrots so I need to try making this recipe.
Brianne Tursi Manz says
I love that this salad is enjoyable for everyone. We go to family member’s houses on occasion for dinner on weekends, and this will be a great addition for a dish to pass, especially with outdoor cookouts!