Healthy Carrot Apple Salad Recipe (15-Minutes) Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Healthy Carrot Apple Salad that combines crunchy carrots and sweet-tart apples tossed in a light lemon-honey olive oil dressing. Perfect as a quick, nutritious side dish or snack, this 15-minute recipe features optional add-ins like raisins, sunflower seeds, or toasted pecans for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh, firm carrots, peeled and shredded
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp preferred), cored and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for tossing apples and dressing)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons toasted pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and peel the carrots, then shred them using a box grater or food processor. Core and thinly slice the apples into matchsticks or small chunks. Toss the apple slices in lemon juice immediately to prevent browning.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity as preferred.
- Combine and Toss: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded carrots, lemon-treated apple slices, and any optional add-ins such as raisins, sunflower seeds, or toasted pecans. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill and Serve: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes to allow the dressing to meld with the ingredients. Serve cold as a refreshing side or light snack.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp apples to ensure the best texture and balance of flavors.
- Swapping honey with maple syrup makes this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Feel free to experiment with nuts and seeds to personalize texture and flavor.
- Chilling the salad before serving enhances the melding of flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Keywords: Carrot Apple Salad, Healthy Salad, Quick Salad Recipe, No Cook Salad, Light Side Dish