Description
A refreshing and colorful Carrot Apple Salad combining the crispness of apples and carrots with the sweetness of mandarin segments and cranberries, all tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing. Perfect as a light side or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 1 red delicious apple
- 1 granny smith apple
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
- ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries
Vegetables
- 2 cups matchstick carrots (precut bags can be used)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 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.
- Toss with Lemon Juice: Pour the lemon juice over the cut apples and toss well to coat all pieces, preventing browning.
- Let Apples Soak: Set the bowl aside for 5 minutes to allow the apples to absorb the lemon juice.
- Mix Vegetables and Fruit Base: In a large mixing bowl, add the matchstick carrots, finely diced yellow onion, and dried sweetened cranberries.
- Add Apples: After the 5-minute soak, add the lemon-coated apples to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
- Make Dressing and Combine: Add the vanilla yogurt, mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to combine evenly.
- Add Mandarins: Gently fold in the drained canned mandarin segments into the salad mixture.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: After chilling, serve the salad chilled and enjoy the refreshing taste.
Notes
- Using lemon juice on apples prevents browning and maintains a fresh appearance.
- Chilling the salad enhances flavor blending and texture.
- Vanilla yogurt adds a subtle sweetness that complements the fruit and vegetables.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute yogurt and mayo with plant-based alternatives.
- Adjust sugar to taste depending on the sweetness of your fruits.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
