Carrot Apple Salad: Sweet & Refreshing
Reader Favorite Salads.
A sweet and crisp mix of shredded carrots and apples in a light, refreshing dressing. Perfect as a healthy side dish.
I remember my grandmother making a version of this salad in her pale yellow kitchen. She’d use a simple box grater, and the rhythmic sound of her grating the carrots is a memory I hold so dear. She’d always let me sneak a piece of apple. It wasn't about a perfect recipe back then; it was about the moment. This salad brings all of that warmth right back to my own counter. It’s humble, it’s honest, and it feels like home.
Why You'll Love This Simple Salad
- •It’s wonderfully crisp and refreshing.
- •The perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
- •So easy to make – just grate and mix!
- •A healthy and beautiful side dish for any meal.
- •It's a great way to get kids to eat their veggies.
- •Customizable with nuts, seeds, or different dried fruits.
Wow, I made this for a potluck and everyone asked for the recipe! It's so wonderfully crisp and refreshing. My husband, who usually avoids salads, had two helpings. It's just so simple and good.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Carrots: Fresh, firm carrots are key. I find grating them myself with a box grater gives the best texture, but a food processor with a grating disk works great if you're short on time.
- Apples: Choose a crisp, firm apple. Honeycrisp or Gala are my favorites for sweetness, while Granny Smith adds a lovely tartness. No need to peel them; the skin adds color and nutrients.
- Lemon Juice: Don't skip this! Freshly squeezed lemon juice not only adds brightness to the dressing but also keeps the apples from browning. It's a little bit of kitchen magic.
Complete Cooking Process
- Wash and peel the carrots. Using a box grater or food processor, shred them into a large bowl.
- Wash and core the apples. You can grate them for a finer texture or dice them small for more of a bite. Add them to the bowl with the carrots right away.
- Toast the nuts, if using, in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise or yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk it all together until it's perfectly smooth and creamy. Give it a little taste—this is your chance to make it just right for you.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the carrots and apples. Add the raisins and parsley.
- Stir gently until everything is lightly coated. You don’t want to drown it.
- Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. It makes such a difference.
- Just before serving, stir in the toasted nuts. Serve it up and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
→Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can. It’s actually best if it sits for at least 30 minutes. You can make it a few hours ahead, but I find it's best eaten the same day for the ultimate crispness. The carrots and apples will release some water over time.
→How can I make this salad vegan?
It's so easy to adapt! Just use a good quality vegan mayonnaise and switch the honey for maple syrup. It's just as delicious.
→What else can I add to this salad?
Feel free to get creative. A little bit of finely chopped celery adds a nice savory crunch. Crushed pineapple (well-drained) is another classic addition for more sweetness. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds are great instead of nuts.
Carrot Apple Salad: Sweet & Refreshing
Enjoy carrot apple salad, a mix of sweet, crisp, and refreshing flavors. Perfect as a light meal or a side. Easy to make and nutritious!
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 014 large carrots, peeled and grated
- 022 crisp apples (like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), cored and grated or finely diced
- 031/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- 041/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, lightly toasted (optional)
- 052 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill
For the Creamy Dressing
- 011/2 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
- 022 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 031 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 041/4 teaspoon salt
- 05A pinch of black pepper
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), fresh lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or seasoning if you like.
In a large bowl, combine the grated carrots and grated or diced apples. Add the optional raisins and fresh parsley.
Pour the dressing over the carrot and apple mixture. Gently toss everything together until it's evenly coated.
If you're using nuts, I like to stir them in just before serving to keep them crunchy. Otherwise, you can mix them in now.
For the best flavor, cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 20-30 minutes. This lets all the flavors meld together beautifully.
Give it one final stir and serve chilled. Enjoy that wonderful crunch!
Notes & Tips
- 1If your carrots seem dry, a little extra lemon juice can help.
- 2The sweetness of apples varies, so always taste your dressing before adding it and adjust the honey or maple syrup as needed.
- 3This recipe is very forgiving, so feel free to adjust the ratios of carrot to apple based on your preference.
Tools You'll Need
- •Use a crisp, firm apple variety to avoid a mushy salad.
- •Toss the apples with lemon juice immediately if you're not mixing the salad right away to prevent browning.
- •Don't overdress the salad. You want to coat the ingredients, not soak them.
- •For the best texture, add nuts just before serving so they stay crunchy.