15-Minute Fresh Carrot Apple Salad
This vibrant carrot apple salad combines coarsely grated carrots with crisp diced apples, sweet dried cranberries, and finely diced onion in a creamy mayo-based dressing. The simple lemon juice and sugar dressing balances the natural sweetness of the fruit with a subtle tang. Perfect as a refreshing side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or everyday meals, this colorful salad comes together quickly and offers a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Ingredients
- 4 medium carrots, coarsely grated
- 1 apple, diced
- ¾ cup craisins, dried cranberriesraisins or chopped dates1:1budget
different sweetness profile
- ¼ cup purple or sweet onion, finely diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise, real mayo or vegenaise
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ½ Tbsp sugar
- ⅛ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Combine mayo, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper in a small bowl and stir together
- 2
Coarsely grate carrots and transfer to a large mixing bowl
- 3
Dice apples and finely dice onion, then add to bowl with craisins
- 4
Add salad dressing to taste when ready to serve and stir together
Tips
Use a food processor to quickly and evenly grate the carrots for consistent texture
Add dressing just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming watery
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered up to 3 days. Drain excess liquid before serving.
Can prepare vegetables up to 1 day ahead. Add dressing just before serving.
Serve chilled as a side dish. Best within 2 hours of dressing.
Common Mistakes
Add dressing too early to avoid watery salad
Cut apples uniformly to prevent browning and ensure even flavor
Substitutions
different sweetness profile
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, prep the vegetables up to 1 day ahead but add the dressing just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent the salad from becoming watery.
What type of apples work best?
Crisp varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith hold their shape well and provide good texture contrast to the soft carrots.
How long will this salad keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Drain any excess liquid that accumulates before serving leftovers.