Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad (Crunchy Fruit & Veggie Slaw)
Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad is a vibrant, nutritious dish combining the natural sweetness of crisp apples, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy shredded carrots. Enhanced with chopped walnuts and a zesty lemon dressing, this salad offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s a quick, no-cook recipe ideal as a light lunch or a colorful side dish for any gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- 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
- Optional: honey for extra sweetness
Instructions
- Prepare the produce: 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 ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 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 everything is evenly coated with the lemon dressing.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld and serve chilled for the best refreshing taste.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast or Honeycrisp for sweetness.
- Adjust the amount of dried cranberries based on your sweetness preference.
- Add honey to the dressing if you like a sweeter salad.
- Chilling the salad before serving enhances the flavor and texture.
- For added crunch, lightly toast the walnuts before mixing.