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Carrot Apple Salad with Cranberries and Mandarins Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 135 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A refreshing and vibrant carrot apple salad combining crisp apples, matchstick carrots, tangy lemons, and sweet cranberries, all brought together with a creamy dressing of vanilla yogurt and mayo. This make-ahead salad is chilled to meld flavors perfectly and is ideal for a light, healthy side dish or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Vegetables

  • 1 red delicious apple
  • 1 granny smith apple
  • 2 cups matchstick carrots (precooked if preferred)
  • ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries
  • ½ cup vanilla yogurt
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples: Cut both red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-sized pieces. Place them in a bowl.
  2. Toss with Lemon Juice: Pour lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. This helps prevent browning.
  3. Let Apples Soak: Set the bowl aside for 5 minutes to let the apples absorb the lemon juice, enhancing flavor and maintaining color.
  4. Mix Vegetables and Fruits: In a large mixing bowl, add the matchstick carrots, finely diced yellow onion, and dried sweetened cranberries.
  5. Add Apples: After 5 minutes, add the lemon-coated apples to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
  6. Add Dressing Ingredients: Add vanilla yogurt and mayonnaise to the bowl.
  7. Season: Sprinkle sugar, salt, and black pepper over the bowl.
  8. Combine Ingredients: Stir all ingredients well to evenly distribute the dressing and seasonings.
  9. Add Mandarins: Gently fold in the drained canned mandarin segments to the salad.
  10. Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
  11. Serve: Serve chilled and enjoy as a refreshing side or snack.

Notes

  • For best texture, prepare the salad at least 3 hours ahead to let flavors develop.
  • Using lemon juice prevents the apples from browning, keeping the salad visually appealing.
  • The vanilla yogurt adds a sweet and creamy balance to the tart apples and carrots.
  • Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, if preferred.
  • You can use fresh mandarins or oranges peeled and segmented if canned are unavailable.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 3.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg

Find it online: https://littlespoonbites.com/carrot-apple-salad-with-cranberries-and-mandarins-recipe/