Description
A refreshing and colorful Carrot Apple Salad combining crisp apples, sweet carrots, and tangy mandarin oranges tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing, perfect as a side dish or light snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots (precooked or freshly cut)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
Dressing and Add-ins
- 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
- Prepare the Apples: Cut both the red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-sized pieces, then place them in a bowl.
- Toss with Lemon Juice: Pour 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss thoroughly to coat, which prevents browning and adds a fresh citrus flavor.
- Soak Apples: Let the apples sit for at least 5 minutes so they absorb the lemon juice fully and retain their crisp texture.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the matchstick carrots, diced yellow onion, and sweetened dried cranberries.
- Add Apples to Mix: Once the apples have soaked, add them to the large mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
- Prepare Dressing: Add the vanilla yogurt and mayonnaise to the bowl, which will create a creamy texture and bring sweetness and tang to the salad.
- Season the Salad: Add sugar, salt, and pepper into the bowl to balance out flavors and enhance taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir all ingredients together well until everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
- Add Mandarins: Gently fold in the drained canned mandarin segments, distributing them throughout the salad for a juicy burst of flavor.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least three hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: After chilling, serve the salad cold and enjoy the refreshing combination of crunchy, sweet, and creamy textures.
Notes
- Use freshly cut matchstick carrots or pre-packaged to save time.
- Soaking apples in lemon juice prevents discoloration and adds flavor.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavors by letting them meld together.
- You can substitute vanilla yogurt with Greek yogurt for a tangier taste.
- For a vegan version, substitute mayonnaise and yogurt with vegan alternatives.
- Adjust sugar quantity to taste as dried cranberries and vanilla yogurt add natural sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
