Description
A vibrant and refreshing Carrot Apple Salad combining crisp apples, sweet carrots, and tangy mandarin segments tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing. Perfect as a light side dish or healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots
- 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 mayo
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Cut both red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick style and place the pieces in a bowl. Pour the lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss well to coat all pieces evenly.
- Prevent Browning: Let the apples soak in the lemon juice for 5 minutes to prevent browning and allow the flavors to develop.
- Mix Vegetables and Fruits: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the matchstick carrots, diced yellow onion, and dried sweetened cranberries. After the apples have soaked, add them to this bowl.
- Add Dressing Ingredients: Add the vanilla yogurt and mayo to the bowl along with the sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Incorporate Mandarins: Add the drained canned mandarin segments to the salad and gently stir them in to avoid breaking the fruit.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least three hours to allow the flavors to meld and chill properly.
- Serve: After chilling, serve the salad cold and enjoy its fresh and creamy taste.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute vanilla yogurt with a plant-based yogurt and use vegan mayo.
- Using lemon juice not only adds flavor but also prevents apples from browning quickly.
- Matchstick cut apples and carrots ensure a uniform texture and easy mixing.
- The salad tastes even better when refrigerated overnight, so plan ahead for best results.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried apricots.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
