Description
Carrot Apple Salad with refreshing crunch, sweet apples, and zesty dressing. Perfect for a quick and healthy side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and grated
- 2 medium apples, cored and diced or julienned
- ¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (mint, parsley, or dill), chopped
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the fruits and vegetables Begin by properly preparing your produce. Peel the carrots using a vegetable peeler, removing all the outer skin. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the carrots into a large bowl—this technique provides the perfect texture and releases the carrots’ natural sweetness. For the apples, wash them thoroughly, then core them using an apple corer or knife. You can either dice the apples into small ½-inch cubes or cut them into thin matchsticks depending on your texture preference. Place the prepared apples in a separate bowl and toss immediately with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Step 2: Make the dressing In a small bowl, combine the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisk vigorously until the mixture emulsifies and looks slightly thickened—about 30 seconds of energetic whisking will do the trick. Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness or acidity as needed, keeping in mind that the carrots will add natural sweetness to the final dish.
- Step 3: Combine and marinate Add the prepared apples to the bowl with the grated carrots. If using, add the raisins or dried cranberries now as well. Pour the dressing over the fruits and vegetables, then gently toss everything together using two large spoons or your hands (washed, of course!) to ensure every piece gets coated with the flavorful dressing. Allow the Carrot Apple Salad to sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving—this brief marination period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully while maintaining the crisp texture.
- Step 4: Finish and serve Just before serving, fold in the freshly chopped herbs to preserve their bright flavor and color. Sprinkle the toasted nuts over the top if using, giving the salad one final gentle toss. This last-minute addition provides a wonderful textural contrast and prevents the herbs from wilting and the nuts from softening. Transfer your beautiful Carrot Apple Salad to a serving bowl, where the vibrant orange and red colors will entice everyone at the table!
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg