Description
A refreshing and vibrant Carrot Apple Salad featuring crisp apples, crunchy matchstick carrots, dried cranberries, and mandarin segments all tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for a light side dish or a healthy snack, offering a delightful balance of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots (precut bags work well)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
Dressing and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries
- ½ cup vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Slice Apples: Cut both the red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-style pieces. Place them into a bowl.
- Toss with Lemon Juice: Pour the lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss them well to ensure they are evenly coated. This step prevents browning and adds a fresh, tangy flavor.
- Soak Apples: Set the bowl aside and let the apples soak in the lemon juice for 5 minutes, allowing them to absorb the juice and maintain their crispness.
- Prepare Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the matchstick carrots, finely diced yellow onion, and dried sweetened cranberries.
- Add Apples: After the apples have soaked, add them to the large mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
- Add Dressing Ingredients: Add the vanilla yogurt and mayonnaise to the bowl. Then sprinkle in the sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Mix Salad: Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly, ensuring the dressing evenly coats the salad components.
- Add Mandarins: Fold in the drained canned mandarin segments to add a juicy burst of sweetness.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least three hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Serve: Once chilled, serve the salad immediately and enjoy its fresh, crisp, creamy combination of flavors.
Notes
- For a crunchier texture, use freshly shredded carrots instead of pre-cut matchstick carrots.
- Lemon juice is important to prevent the apples from browning and to add brightness to the salad.
- Mayonnaise can be substituted with Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative for a lighter or vegan option.
- Make sure to drain the mandarin segments well to prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
- This salad stores well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; stir gently before serving if stored.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
