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Carrot Apple Salad with Cranberries and Mandarin Recipe

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4.2 from 47 reviews

This vibrant Carrot Apple Salad combines the crisp sweetness of apples and matchstick carrots with the tartness of lemon juice and the creamy richness of vanilla yogurt and mayo. Enhanced with dried cranberries and mandarin segments, this salad is a refreshing, colorful dish perfect for a light lunch or side.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Fruits and Vegetables

  • 1 red delicious apple
  • 1 granny smith apple
  • 2 cups matchstick carrots (pre-cut bags available)
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Dressings and Add-ins

  • 1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries
  • 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples: Cut both the red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.
  2. Toss with Lemon Juice: Pour 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the cut apples and toss well to coat all pieces thoroughly to prevent browning.
  3. Let Apples Soak: Set the bowl aside for at least 5 minutes, allowing the apples to soak up the lemon juice and maintain their color and freshness.
  4. Combine Vegetables and Add-ins: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the matchstick carrots, add the finely diced yellow onion and dried sweetened cranberries.
  5. Add Apples: After the apples have soaked, add them into the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
  6. Add Dressing Ingredients: Add 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt and 1/4 cup mayonnaise into the bowl.
  7. Season the Salad: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper onto the mixture.
  8. Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until well combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
  9. Add Mandarins: Gently fold in the drained 1 cup canned mandarin segments into the salad.
  10. Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld.
  11. Serve: Once chilled, give the salad a gentle stir and serve cold for a refreshing dish.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice to prevent apple browning effectively.
  • For a tangier flavor, substitute vanilla yogurt with Greek yogurt.
  • You can prepare the salad a day ahead to enhance the flavor infusion.
  • Feel free to swap dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries if preferred.
  • This salad pairs well as a side for grilled chicken or fish dishes.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/carrot-apple-salad-with-cranberries-and-mandarin-recipe/