Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad (Printable version)
Julienned apples and carrots with nuts, raisins and a creamy citrus-yogurt dressing for a bright, crunchy side.
# What you need:
→ Salad
01 - 2 medium apples, cored and cut into matchsticks (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
02 - 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks
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, 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 freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
# How To:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, add the matchstick apples, carrots, sliced celery, chopped walnuts, dried fruit, and parsley. Gently toss to combine all components evenly.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and fully blended.
03 - Pour the prepared citrus dressing over the salad base. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients well with the creamy mixture.
04 - Transfer the finished salad to a serving dish. Garnish with additional nuts and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately for best texture, or refrigerate up to one hour before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This salad brings together a mix of juicy, bright flavors with the kind of crunch that wakes up your palate.
- It’s quick to throw together, and leftovers stay surprisingly tasty for a few hours—perfect for lunch prep or picnics.
02 -
- If you slice the apples too early without lemon or citrus, they’ll turn brown before you finish the dressing.
- Tossing the salad too vigorously can mash the ingredients and muddy the textures, so gentleness is key for crunch.
03 -
- Always julienne or shred the apples and carrots right before mixing to preserve their color and crunch.
- A drizzle of olive oil in the dressing can help blend everything if you use plant-based yogurt.