Description
A refreshing and vibrant Carrot Apple Salad combining crisp matchstick carrots, two varieties of apples, and a tangy-sweet dressing made with vanilla yogurt and mayo. Enhanced with dried cranberries, mandarin segments, and a hint of lemon juice to prevent browning, this salad is perfect as a light and healthy side dish or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots (precut if desired)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
Dressing and Seasonings
- 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 Apples: Cut both the red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-sized pieces. Place them in a bowl.
- Prevent Browning: Pour 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss well to coat them. Let apples soak for 5 minutes to prevent browning.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups of matchstick carrots, ¼ cup finely diced yellow onion, and ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries.
- Add Apples: After the apples have soaked for 5 minutes, add them to the large mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
- Mix Dressing: Add ½ cup vanilla yogurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the bowl.
- Mix Salad: Stir all the ingredients thoroughly to combine the dressing evenly with the fruits and vegetables.
- Add Mandarins: Gently fold in 1 cup of drained canned mandarin segments into the salad mixture.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: After chilling, serve the salad fresh and enjoy the crisp, sweet, and tangy taste.
Notes
- Using lemon juice on apples helps prevent oxidation and browning.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavors and texture.
- You can substitute vanilla yogurt with plain yogurt and add a touch of vanilla extract if desired.
- This salad is best served cold within 1-2 days of preparation for freshness.
- For a vegan version, substitute mayo and yogurt with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
