Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing Recipe
A refreshing and crunchy salad combining grated carrots, crisp apples, and shredded red cabbage, tossed with a creamy citrus dressing made from Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and fresh citrus juices. Enhanced with nuts and dried fruit for added texture and flavor, this salad is perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
- 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and diced
- 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Creamy Citrus Dressing
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey (or to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables and Fruits: Peel and grate the carrots directly into a large mixing bowl to save time and keep everything tidy.
- Dice the Apples: Core and chop the apples into small, bite-sized pieces. Add them immediately to the bowl with the carrots to prevent browning and maintain freshness.
- Add Remaining Salad Ingredients: Finely shred the red cabbage and add it to the bowl along with the raisins or dried cranberries, chopped walnuts or pecans, and freshly chopped parsley to build layers of flavors and textures.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh orange juice, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the creamy citrus dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss all the ingredients together, ensuring every bite is coated evenly with the dressing.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or honey if needed to balance the flavors to your liking.
- Chill and Meld Flavors: If you have time, refrigerate the salad for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully and enhance the overall taste.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional chopped nuts or parsley if desired for extra crunch and presentation.
Notes
- Use crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.
- Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans according to preference.
- If you want a vegan version, replace the Greek yogurt and mayonnaise with plant-based alternatives.
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated to deepen the flavors.
- Adjust the amount of honey depending on the sweetness of your apples and personal taste.
Keywords: apple carrot salad, creamy citrus dressing, healthy salad, crunchy salad, vegetarian salad, side dish
