Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad (Printable)
Julienned apples and carrots with walnuts, raisins and a creamy citrus yogurt dressing—ready in 20 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Salad
01 - 2 medium apples, cored and julienned (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
02 - 2 large carrots, peeled and julienned
03 - 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
05 - 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
→ Creamy Citrus Dressing
07 - 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
08 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# Directions:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine julienned apples, julienned carrots, sliced celery, chopped walnuts or pecans, dried fruit, and parsley. Gently toss to ensure even distribution.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, orange juice, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with dressing.
04 - Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with additional nuts and parsley if desired. Serve immediately for optimum crunch, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sharp tang of citrus and the sweet crunch of apples make every bite exciting (you might find yourself sneaking forkfuls straight from the bowl).
- It saves the day at potlucks and picnics since it pairs with anything and holds up beautifully, even when made ahead.
02 -
- If your apples sit out too long, they&apost just brown, they lose their bite, so slice them right before tossing.
- Letting the salad rest even 15 minutes in the fridge helps the flavors mingle without losing that perfect crunch.
03 -
- Use a really sharp knife for slicing, especially for the apples and celery so their edges stay crisp.
- A pinch of salt in the dressing brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit.