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Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing served in a bowl

Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad

A vibrant and crunchy salad featuring apples, carrots, and a creamy citrus dressing, perfect for gatherings and light meals.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 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

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by preparing the vegetables and fruits. Peel and grate the carrots into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Core the apples and chop them into small, bite-sized pieces. Immediately add them to the bowl with the grated carrots to prevent browning.
  3. Shred the red cabbage finely and add it to the bowl, along with the raisins or dried cranberries, chopped walnuts or pecans, and fresh parsley.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a separate small bowl, prepare the creamy citrus dressing. Combine the plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh orange juice, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Combine and Serve
  1. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are well-coated with the dressing.
  2. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or honey if needed.
  3. If time allows, let the salad sit for about 15 minutes in the refrigerator before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  4. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional chopped nuts or parsley on top if desired.

Notes

This salad can be made nut-free by substituting with pumpkin seeds or toasted sunflower seeds. It keeps in the fridge for about 2-3 days.