Description
A refreshing and crunchy apple and carrot salad featuring a creamy citrus dressing made with Greek yogurt, fresh orange and lemon juice, and a hint of honey. This vibrant salad combines tart apples, sweet carrots, and a mix of fresh herbs and nuts for an irresistible texture and flavor, perfect as a light lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 medium apples (preferably tart, like Granny Smith), julienned
- 2 large carrots, peeled and julienned
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts (optional, for added crunch)
Creamy Citrus Dressing
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Peel and julienne the carrots. Core and julienne the apples, then thinly slice the red onion and finely chop the fresh cilantro or parsley. Set aside.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine the julienned apples, carrots, red onion, and chopped herbs. Pour the creamy citrus dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add crunch: Sprinkle sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts over the salad and give a light toss just to distribute the nuts evenly without breaking them down too much.
- Serve: Serve immediately for the freshest crunch or chill for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best balance with the sweet dressing.
- Sunflower seeds or walnuts add nice texture but can be omitted for nut allergies.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the apples and carrots.
- For a vegan version, substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Adjust the citrus juices and honey according to taste preference and sweetness of the apples.
