Carrot Apple Salad with Cranberries and Mandarin Recipe
A refreshing and colorful Carrot Apple Salad combining crisp apples, sweet carrots, and tangy mandarin segments, tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing with a hint of lemon juice. Perfect for a light side dish or a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Vegetables
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots (precooked or fresh)
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
Dressing and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Cut both red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-style pieces and place them in a bowl.
- Toss with Lemon Juice: Pour the lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss well to evenly coat, preventing browning.
- Let Apples Soak: Set the bowl aside for at least 5 minutes to allow the apples to absorb the lemon juice and maintain their freshness.
- Add Carrots: Pour the matchstick carrots into a large mixing bowl ready for the salad.
- Add Onion and Cranberries: Incorporate the finely diced yellow onion and dried sweetened cranberries into the bowl with the carrots.
- Combine Apples: After soaking, add the lemon-coated apples to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
- Add Creamy Dressing: Add the vanilla yogurt and mayonnaise to the mixture to create a rich dressing.
- Season Salad: Sprinkle in the sugar, salt, and pepper for balanced flavor.
- Mix Well: Stir all ingredients thoroughly until they are completely blended and coated with the dressing.
- Add Mandarins: Gently fold in the drained mandarin segments to add a fresh citrus element.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least three hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Serve cold and enjoy the crisp, sweet, and creamy carrot apple salad.
Notes
- Using lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning and adds a tangy flavor.
- Refrigerating for several hours improves the flavor and texture of the salad.
- You can substitute vanilla yogurt with plain yogurt for less sweetness if preferred.
- The salad is best served chilled and fresh.
- For a healthier option, use low-fat mayonnaise and yogurt.
Keywords: carrot apple salad, fruit salad, creamy salad, healthy salad, side dish, easy salad
