Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad Recipe
A light and refreshing apple cranberry carrot salad combining crisp apples, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and shredded carrots, all dressed in a zesty lemon dressing. Perfect as a healthy snack or a vibrant side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10-15 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups fresh apples, diced (about 2 medium Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 cup dried cranberries (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 1 cup shredded carrots (or 2 medium carrots, shredded)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: honey for extra sweetness
Instructions
- Prepare produce: Wash the apples and carrots thoroughly. Core and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Peel and shred the carrots if using whole ones to ensure they mix easily in the salad.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, add the diced apples, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. Toss them gently to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice with salt and pepper until well blended. Add honey if you prefer a sweeter dressing.
- Dress the salad: Pour the lemon dressing over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and serve: Transfer the salad to the refrigerator and chill for 10-15 minutes to enhance the flavors before serving. Serve cold for the best refreshing taste.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for tartness or Honeycrisp apples for natural sweetness.
- Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or almonds if preferred.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste in the dressing.
- For a vegan option, omit honey or use maple syrup as a sweetener.
- This salad is best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
Keywords: apple cranberry salad, carrot salad, healthy salad recipe, no-cook salad, refreshing summer salad, vegetarian salad
