Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad (Print version)
Julienned apples, carrots, celery and nuts tossed in a creamy citrus dressing for a bright, crunchy side.
# What you'll need:
→ Salad
01 - 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and julienned
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, chopped
→ Creamy Citrus Dressing
07 - 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based alternative
08 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How to make it:
01 - Combine julienned apples, carrots, sliced celery, chopped walnuts, raisins, and chopped parsley in a large mixing bowl. Gently toss to blend.
02 - In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
03 - Pour the creamy citrus dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss until the salad is evenly coated.
04 - Transfer to a serving dish. Add extra nuts and parsley as garnish if desired. Serve immediately for peak crunch or refrigerate up to 1 hour before serving.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- This salad stays crisp and lively, making every bite unexpectedly refreshing even after sitting for a bit in the fridge.
- The creamy citrus dressing hits that sweet-tangy spot that keeps everyone reaching for seconds, even the veggie skeptics.
02 -
- The first time I made this, I used pre-shredded carrots and lost out on texture, so never skip cutting your own if you can help it.
- Lemon juice not only adds flavor but keeps apples from browning, so don’t wait to toss them with dressing.
03 -
- Cut all your ingredients into even, thin matchsticks—uneven sizes throw off the salad’s texture.
- A small pinch of orange zest in the dressing is the secret flourish no one can quite put their finger on.