Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad – A Colorful Delight Recipe
This Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad is a vibrant, healthy, and easy-to-make dish perfect for a light snack or a colorful side. Combining crisp apples, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fresh shredded carrots, tossed in a zesty lemon dressing, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures. Its simplicity makes it ideal for quick meal prep, picnics, or as a refreshing addition to any meal.
- 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 Ingredients
- 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
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional for extra sweetness)
Instructions
- Prepare the fruits and vegetables: Wash the apples and carrots thoroughly. Core and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Peel and shred the carrots if using whole ones.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the diced apples, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. Toss gently to combine evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice with salt and pepper. Add honey if you prefer a sweeter dressing.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the lemon dressing.
- Chill and serve: Place the salad in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and enhance the taste. Serve chilled as a refreshing side or snack.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- To reduce sugar content, opt for unsweetened dried cranberries.
- This salad tastes best when served fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice twist.
- For extra creaminess, try mixing in a dollop of Greek yogurt or a splash of your favorite vinaigrette.
Keywords: apple salad, cranberry salad, carrot salad, healthy salad, no-cook salad, vegetarian salad, fresh fruit salad, walnut salad
