Description
This refreshing Carrot Apple Salad combines sweet and tart apples with crunchy matchstick carrots and tangy mandarin segments, all brought together with a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing. Enhanced with dried cranberries and a touch of lemon juice to prevent browning, this salad is perfect for a light, flavorful side dish or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Vegetables
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots (precut bags available)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries
- ½ cup vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Cut both the red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-sized pieces. Place the apple pieces into a bowl and pour the lemon juice over them. Toss well to coat all pieces evenly with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Soak Apples: Let the apples sit in the lemon juice for at least 5 minutes. This step is crucial to keep the apples fresh and prevent discoloration.
- Mix Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the matchstick carrots, finely diced yellow onion, and dried sweetened cranberries. This mixture forms the base of your salad.
- Combine Apples with Vegetables: After the apples have soaked, add them to the mixing bowl with the carrots, onion, and cranberries, blending the crunchy and sweet flavors.
- Add Dressing Ingredients: Add the vanilla yogurt and mayonnaise to the bowl. Then add sugar, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor profile. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to ensure the dressing coats all salad components.
- Add Mandarins: Gently fold in the canned mandarin segments, making sure to distribute them evenly without breaking them apart.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least three hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the salad to cool down.
- Serve: After chilling, give the salad a final stir and serve chilled for a crisp and refreshing experience.
Notes
- To avoid browning, it is important to soak the apples in lemon juice for at least 5 minutes.
- You can find precut matchstick carrots in most grocery stores to save prep time.
- For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least three hours before serving.
- This salad makes a great side dish for picnics, barbecues, or as a healthy snack.
- Adjust sugar according to your taste if you prefer a less sweet salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
