Fresh Medjool Dates and Carrot Salad

Last Updated on January 31, 2023 by Sabrina Currie

Fresh Medjool dates are such a treat and I'm always looking for ways to incorporate them into our meals. This hearty salad of Natural Delights Medjool Dates and carrots is rich and satisfying AND incredibly healthy. Sweet and savory dressing turns creamy in seconds from blending dates and warm spices give it a true comfort food flavor.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Natural Delights. All opinions are my own though.

Date and carrot salad with kale on a blue plate — Fresh Date And Carrot Salad

Perfect for fall and thanksgiving, this Medjool date and carrot salad can be a side dish or a main course. With all the fiber, vitamins and protein in this, it makes lunch or dinner easy.

This was inspired by my fresh autumn Rocket and Pear salad on this site, and pairs well with this Sous Vide Pork Tenderoin recipe or to keep it vegetarian, pair it with my personal favorite, Mushroom Risotto.

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Recipe Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Storage
FAQs and Expert Tips
📖 Recipe
💬 Community

Recipe Ingredients

Here are the simple and wholesome ingredients you'll need to make this recipe.

Fresh medjool dates from Natural Delights are plump and come in recycleable green plastic box

Fresh Medjool Dates - do not substitute dried. I've used Natural Delights Medjool Dates (naturaldelights.ca) because they are fresh, never dried and packaged straight from nature. The softness of these Medjool dates makes the dressing blend up creamy and smooth and is the most unique ingredient in this salad. Carrots and dates are a classic combination that pair together well. You will find these in the produce section of your local grocery store along with the other fresh fruits.
Kale - this firm green holds rich dressings well
Orange Juice - fresh squeezed makes a difference in this dressing, use it if you can

See recipe card for quantities.

3 Green square tubs of eco friendly packaging of the three types of Natural Delights Medjool Dates; Organic, whole and pitted dates

Step-by-Step Instructions

Coarsely chop 2 Medjool dates, removing the pits if they are not already removed, and place in your blender cup.

Ingredients including dates, oil, vinegar and nuts for the date and carrot salad with an immersion blender beside

Add remaining salad dressing ingredients and blend with your immersion blender or a regular blender until creamy and smooth, approximately 1 minute.

Pureed dates in vinaigrette create a creamy light brown dressing in the blender

Toss your carrots in half the dressing 15 min-1 hour ahead of time to let them soften before combining with remaining salad ingredients.

Dressing goes on the carrots ahead of time to soften them for the salad. Carrots are sliced in little coin shapes in a white bowl with dressing poured over top

Toss remaining ingredients with the carrots and extra dressing right before serving and arrange on a large plate or platter, then sprinkle with pecans.

Adding remaining ingredients of parsley, dates, and kale to the salad

Hint: Don't toss your greens with the salad dressing until you are ready to serve to keep them vibrant and crisp.

Carrot and Date salad on a blue plate outside in front of a fig tree

Substitutions

There are few substitutions you can make while still keeping the essence of this salad.

Pecans - instead of pecans, you can use walnuts or even cashews.
Kale - almost any hearty green can be used here. Try spinach, arugula, mustard greens or chard.
Red Wine Vinegar - apple cider vinegar is a perfect substitution if needed.
Cayenne - you can omit this if you strongly dislike spice or you can add more to add some fire.

Variations

Want to change it up?

Add more protein - try adding a tin of drained chickpeas, a little prosciutto or crumbled cooked chorizo
Lighten it up - skip the hearty greens and serve the rest of the salad on undressed light mixed greens.

Storage

Store any leftover salad in the fridge for up to 3 days. The greens will be well softened but are still nutritious and healthy to eat.

FAQs and Expert Tips

Can I make this ahead?

Yes! You can make all the components up to 3 days ahead and keep them separately. Toss them all together when you're ready to enjoy.

What else can I do with Medjool dates?

Natural Delights Medjool Dates are so versatile you'll be surprised how much you can do with them. They work perfectly in energy balls offering stickiness and sweetness, they puree well into smoothies and make excellent cakes and bars. They are wonderful for savory recipes too. Try stuffing them with cheese or nuts, adding to salads as I did here or wrapping in bacon or prosciutto. On their own, they are an amazing little snack for on the go.

Are Medjool dates healthy?

Yes, so healthy! Full of fiber, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, potassium and manganese. There are also substantial amounts of many other vitamins and minerals including iron and antioxidants too.

Are Natural Delights Medjool Dates healthier than dried?

It depends how you look at it. They each have a similar amount of protien, vitamins and fiber but dried dates are more concentrated making them higher in calories bite for bite. Fresh Medjool dates are softer and larger, and bite for bite, contain fewer calories making them best for pairing with other fresh fruit and vegetables.

Blue plate with salad of kale, pecans, Medjool dates and carrots on top

Try this Medjool date dressing in other dishes too! Top fresh greens with sliced, grilled pork loin or barbecued chicken and drizzle with dressing or use it to on a roasted root veggie salad.

Thanks for reading along, as always, I look forward to your feedback. Did you try it? Did you like it? Wondering how to grow your own arugula? For fast support with recipe questions, follow me on Instagram or Facebook and message me there. I try to reply quickly with any urgent cooking q's 😉

Sabrina

PS. Don't forget to check out my home and kitchen shop at www.westcoastkitchengarden.com