Description
A refreshing and vibrant Carrot Apple Salad featuring crisp apples, sweet matchstick carrots, and tangy mandarin segments, all tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing with a hint of sweetness and spice. Perfect for a light side dish or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots (precooked or fresh)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 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-style pieces. Place them in a bowl.
- Toss with Lemon Juice: Pour 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss well to coat them evenly. This step prevents browning and adds a fresh citrus flavor. Set aside for 5 minutes.
- Mix Vegetables and Fruits: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of matchstick carrots, ¼ cup finely diced yellow onion, and ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries.
- Add Apples to Bowl: After the apples have soaked in lemon juice for at least 5 minutes, add them to the large mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
- Prepare the Dressing: Add ½ cup vanilla yogurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the bowl with the salad ingredients.
- Combine Everything: Stir all ingredients together thoroughly to ensure the dressing coats the salad evenly.
- Add Mandarins: Gently fold in 1 cup of drained canned mandarin segments for a burst of sweetness and juiciness.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 3 hours to let the flavors meld beautifully and the salad to chill.
- Serve: After chilling, give the salad a final stir and serve chilled for a refreshing treat.
Notes
- Use fresh matchstick carrots or pre-cut from the store for convenience.
- Lemon juice is crucial to prevent apples from browning and keeping the salad fresh-looking.
- For a tangier salad, you can substitute some of the vanilla yogurt with plain Greek yogurt.
- Adjust sugar according to your sweetness preference.
- Chilling the salad for at least three hours enhances flavor fusion.
- This salad can be prepared a day in advance for best taste and convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 120g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
