Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad Recipe

I recently prepared a refreshing apple cranberry carrot salad that combines diced apples, grated carrots, dried cranberries, and walnuts with apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. I love how these ingredients balance sweet and tangy, creating a lively contrast that keeps me coming back for more.

I’ve been experimenting with flavors lately and decided to try something a bit different—a Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad that really stands out among other healthy carrot salad recipes. I started with 2 large apples that I cored and diced, mixed with 3 medium carrots peeled and grated for that perfect crunch.

Adding 1/2 cup dried cranberries gives it a sweet burst and a hint of tartness, while the 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp honey create a tangy-sweet dressing that ties everything together. I always throw in a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors, and sometimes I even toss in 1/4 cup chopped walnuts for extra crunch, if I’m feeling adventurous.

This salad is a cool twist on a keto apple salad and a fresh take on a vegetable salad dressing that stands out from the usual fare. Enjoy this simple yet exciting dish!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a number of reasons. First, its super easy to put together and doesn’t take forever to make. Second, I love how the mix of apples, carrots, and cranberries gives it a crunchy, sweet and tangy taste that just makes my taste buds happy. Third, I feel good about eating something that’s really healthy and refreshing, plus it gives me that boost of energy when I need it. And lastly, I like that I can switch up some of the ingredients if I feel like trying a different twist every time.

Here’s how I make it: I start by chopping up 2 large apples into little cubes and grating 3 medium carrots into fine bits. Then I toss them in a big bowl with 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and if im in to it, I chop up 1/4 cup walnuts and add them as well. In a small bowl, I mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice until everything is combined pretty well. I pour the dressing over the fruit and veggie mix, add a pinch of salt, and stir it all together so the flavors can get to know each other. I let the salad sit for at least 5 minutes so the taste can really blend together. Finally, I taste it to see if i need to add a bit more salt or honey, then serve it chilled or at room temperature and enjoy this refreshing apple cranberry carrot salad.

Ingredients

• Apples: provide crunch, fiber, and vitamin C while add a slightly sweet fresh taste.
• Carrots: high in fiber and beta-carotene, they add natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Dried cranberries: naturally sweet and tangy, they pack antioxidants and a bit of chewiness.
• Walnuts: optional healthy fat source with protein and crunch, boosting flavor and texture.
• Apple cider vinegar: tangy flavor essential for brightening and balancing all other tastes.
• Honey: natural sweetener that smoothes out any tartness with a warm, rich flavor.
• Lemon juice: adds a burst of sourness, lifting flavors and preventing browning of apples.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 large apples, cored and diced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and grated
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• a pinch of salt

How to Make this

1. Start by chopping the apples into small cubes and grating the carrots into fine pieces.

2. In a large bowl, toss the apples, carrots, and dried cranberries together.

3. If you’re using walnuts, give them a rough chop and add them into the mix.

4. In a small bowl combine apple cider vinegar, honey, and lemon juice until the honey is well mixed.

5. Pour the dressing over the apples and carrots mixture.

6. Add a pinch of salt and mix everything together well so the dressing covers all the ingredients.

7. Let the salad sit for at least 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

8. Taste and adjust salt or honey if needed.

9. Serve chilled or at room temperature and enjoy your refreshing salad.

Equipment Needed

1. A cutting board
2. A sharp knife
3. A box grater
4. A large mixing bowl
5. A small bowl
6. Measuring spoons and cups
7. A mixing spoon or spatula

FAQ

Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have apples, you can try using pears instead. They add a similar crunch and sweetness.
• For carrots, shredded zucchini is a good swap. It gives a different texture but still works fine.
• Dried cranberries can be replaced with raisins or dried cherries if you’re out.
• If you dont have walnuts, pecans or slivered almonds makes a great alternative.
• Instead of apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar can be used if you have it on hand.

Pro Tips

1. Try to chop the apples and carrots into pieces that are as similar as possible so every bite has a good flavor mix. It really helps the dressing coat them all evenly.

2. Toast the walnuts a little bit before adding them in if you’re using them. This little step brings out a deeper nutty flavor and adds a crunch that makes the salad more interesting.

3. Let the salad sit longer than the minimum if you have the time. Waiting for 10 or 15 minutes in the fridge or at room temp can really let the flavors blend together better.

4. Always taste the salad before serving and don’t be afraid to tweak the amount of salt or honey. Your taste buds will know if it needs a bit more saltiness or a touch of sweetness.