Crunchy Apple Carrot Salad (Print Version)
Crunchy apples, carrots, celery and nuts tossed in a creamy citrus yogurt dressing—bright, crisp and ready in 20 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad
01 - 2 medium apples, cored and julienned (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
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, finely chopped
→ Creamy Citrus Dressing
07 - 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
08 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
10 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine apples, carrots, celery, walnuts, raisins, and parsley. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
03 - Pour the creamy citrus dressing over the salad mixture. Toss well to thoroughly coat all components.
04 - Transfer salad to a serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle with additional chopped nuts and parsley if desired. Serve immediately for optimal crunch or refrigerate up to 1 hour before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy citrus dressing is like the salad's secret handshake—everyone asks for the recipe.
- It’s ridiculously quick to assemble but looks and tastes like something much more special.
02 -
- Over-mixing the salad will bruise the apples and carrots, making the texture limp.
- Tasting the dressing before pouring it on is a game-changer—it lets you tweak the sweetness or brightness to match your mood.
03 -
- When zesting citrus, avoid the bitter white pith for the brightest, freshest flavor.
- Whisk the dressing vigorously for a velvety, spoon-coating texture that clings to every bite.