Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad (Printable Version)
Julienned apples, carrots, celery, nuts and raisins in a creamy citrus yogurt dressing—bright, crunchy, and quick to make.
# Ingredient List:
→ Salad
01 - 2 medium apples, cored and julienned (preferably 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 pure maple syrup
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Combine julienned apples, julienned carrots, sliced celery, chopped walnuts or pecans, raisins or dried cranberries, and chopped parsley in a large mixing bowl. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt, mayonnaise, orange juice, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and cohesive.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad components. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Transfer the dressed salad to a serving bowl or platter. Garnish with additional nuts and parsley, if desired. Serve immediately for optimal texture, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.
# Tips from hearthlykitchen:
01 -
- You get to sneak veggies and fruit into every forkful and feel like you’re eating something special.
- The creamy citrus dressing clings to every bite and somehow manages to make healthy taste downright craveable.
02 -
- Once, I tried prepping this more than an hour in advance, and everything got watery and limp—don’t make my mistake.
- I learned that a splash more lemon really does save apples from turning brown if you need to prep in stages.
03 -
- Toast your nuts for about two minutes in a dry pan for unbeatable crunch and aroma.
- Swapping honey for maple syrup can make all the difference if you want a deeper sweetness and it’s a simple vegan switch.