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Fruity Carrot Salad

By: Casey Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:11:06 GMT Fresh & Vibrant Salads
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Casey, recipe creator at Cooking with Casey
By Casey

Casey shares simple, delicious recipes and inspiring stories, making cooking fun and accessible for all.

Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:11:06 GMT

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A colorful salad made with sliced apples, carrots, and cranberries, garnished with green herbs, served in a white bowl. Pin it
A colorful salad made with sliced apples, carrots, and cranberries, garnished with green herbs, served in a white bowl.

Let me share my favorite Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad that brings together sweet crunchy refreshing flavors in every bite. I love how this colorful combination works perfectly year round.

Fresh Stars

Sweet apples crisp carrots juicy mandarins. Dried cranberries creamy dressing perfect mix.

Quick Easy

Simple chopping easy dressing. Ready minutes perfect busy days.

Healthy Benefits

Full fiber antioxidants vitamins. Delicious nutritious everyday salad.

Versatile Choice

Great family dinners potlucks parties. Flavors please every crowd.

A bowl of colorful salad featuring thinly sliced apples, carrots, and cranberries, garnished with parsley.
A bowl of colorful salad featuring thinly sliced apples, carrots, and cranberries, garnished with parsley.

Make It Yours

Add nuts herbs your taste. Adapts dietary needs preferences.

Kids Love It

Bright colors fruity fun. Add yogurt nuts special touch.

Store Right

Keep airtight container three days. Add dressing serve time fresh.

Mix It Up

Try pineapple tropical twist. Add feta cheese savory note.

Perfect Pairs

Serve grilled chicken fish. Great crusty bread green salads.

A vibrant bowl of salad featuring orange and apple slices, carrots, and cranberries, garnished with parsley.
A vibrant bowl of salad featuring orange and apple slices, carrots, and cranberries, garnished with parsley.

Party Ready

Sweet tangy creamy crowd pleaser. Make extra disappears quickly.

Best Results

Slice thin best texture. Fresh mandarins extra zesty taste.

Diet Friendly

Easy dairy free swaps. Vegan options taste great too.

Beautiful Bowl

Colorful ingredients stunning presentation. Clear bowl shows rainbow colors.

Light Fresh

Perfect summer lunch light side. Refreshing holiday meal balance.

A bowl of colorful salad featuring shredded apples, carrots, dried cranberries, and parsley, with two oranges in the background.
A bowl of colorful salad featuring shredded apples, carrots, dried cranberries, and parsley, with two oranges in the background.

Plan Ahead

Prep advance ready anytime. Keep dressing separate stays fresh.

Travel Well

Easy transport covered container. Holds up well longer events.

Perfect Balance

Sweet cranberries tangy mandarin creamy dressing. Every bite tastes amazing.

New Ideas

Try pears beets different tastes. Create your unique combinations.

Recipe Keeper

Simple versatile always delicious. Becomes favorite go to salad.

A colorful salad featuring strips of apples, apricots, and cranberries, garnished with chopped herbs in a white bowl.
A colorful salad featuring strips of apples, apricots, and cranberries, garnished with chopped herbs in a white bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why soak apples in lemon juice?
The citric acid in lemon juice prevents the cut apples from browning and adds a bright flavor to the salad.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes, prepare up to a day ahead. The flavors actually improve after chilling for at least 3 hours.
What apples work best?
Using both red and green apples provides nice color contrast and balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Can I use fresh mandarin oranges?
Fresh mandarins can be used, but canned segments are more tender and easier to incorporate without breaking.
Can I substitute the yogurt?
Plain yogurt can be used with added vanilla extract, or sour cream with a touch of honey for similar creamy tanginess.
3.70 from 245 votes

Fresh Apple Salad

Prep Time:
15 Minutes
Cook Time:
~
Total Time:
15 Minutes
Servings:
6
A colorful salad made with sliced apples, carrots, and cranberries, garnished with green herbs, served in a white bowl.
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A refreshing mix of crisp apples, sweet cranberries, carrots and mandarins tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt dressing.

Ingredients

  • 1 red apple, cut into matchstick pieces.
  • 1 green apple, cut into matchstick pieces.
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
  • 2 cups matchstick carrots.
  • ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced.
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries, sweetened.
  • ½ cup vanilla yogurt.
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise.
  • 1 tablespoon sugar.
  • ¼ teaspoon salt.
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
  • 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained.

Instructions

1.

1. Prep Apples: Cut apples into matchsticks, toss with lemon juice and let sit 5 minutes.

2.

2. Mix Base: Combine carrots, onion, and cranberries in large bowl.

3.

3. Add Apples: Add lemon-soaked apples to bowl.

4.

4. Make Dressing: Add yogurt, mayo, sugar, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.

5.

5. Add Mandarins: Gently fold in mandarin segments.

6.

6. Chill: Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

Notes

  1. Lemon juice prevents apple browning.
  2. Can be made up to a day ahead.
  3. Flavors improve with chilling time.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large mixing bowl.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (yogurt).
  • Eggs (mayonnaise).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~