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Carrot Apple Salad with Cranberries and Mandarin Oranges

Carrot Apple Salad with Cranberries and Mandarin Oranges
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Brighten your meals with a refreshing Carrot Apple Salad featuring sweet and tangy flavors from crisp carrots, juicy apples, dried cranberries, and mandarin oranges. This vibrant, colorful salad offers a perfect balance of crunch and juiciness, making it an ideal light side or healthy snack for any season.

Ingredients

Scale

Fresh Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh carrots, peeled and grated
  • 2 medium firm apples (Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp), cored and diced, skin on
  • 1 cup mandarin orange segments (fresh or canned, drained)

Dried and Sweet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)

Nuts (Optional)

  • 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Fresh Ingredients: Peel and grate the carrots into thin shreds for a tender crunch. Core and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces, leaving the skin on to add color and nutrients.
  2. Combine the Fruits: In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the grated carrots, diced apples, dried cranberries, and mandarin orange segments to evenly distribute flavors and textures.
  3. Dress the Salad: Whisk fresh lemon juice with honey or maple syrup in a small bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat all ingredients evenly with the bright, sweet dressing.
  4. Add Nuts and Final Touches: Sprinkle chopped toasted nuts over the salad for added crunch, then give the mixture one final gentle toss to combine everything perfectly.

Notes

  • Use fresh, crisp apples and freshly peeled mandarin segments to maximize juiciness and flavor.
  • Toss apple pieces immediately in lemon juice to prevent browning and maintain an appealing color.
  • Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by tasting and modifying the amount of honey or maple syrup to your preference.
  • Grate carrots uniformly using the same-sized grater for even texture throughout the salad.
  • Add nuts just before serving to keep them crunchy.

Nutrition

Keywords: carrot apple salad, cranberry salad, mandarin orange salad, healthy salad, gluten free salad, vegan salad, fruit salad, crunchy salad

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/carrot-apple-salad-with-cranberries-and-mandarin-oranges/