A fresh, crunchy, and colorful salad combining sweet apples, crisp carrots, chewy dried cranberries, and a creamy honey-lemon dressing. Perfect as a side dish, light lunch, or holiday salad.

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: None
Total Time: 15 minutes

 Ingredients

 Salad

• 3 medium carrots, peeled and grated
• 2 medium apples, cored and julienned or finely diced
• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
• ¼ cup (30 g) raisins, optional
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp finely chopped green onion, optional
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, optional

 Creamy Dressing

• ½ cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1½ tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper

 Instructions

1. Prepare the carrots

Peel and grate the carrots using the large holes of a box grater.

Place them in a large mixing bowl.

2. Prepare the apples

Core the apples and cut them into thin matchsticks or small pieces.

For a brighter color and fresher flavor, toss the apples with 1 tsp lemon juice to help slow browning.

3. Combine the salad

Add the apples, dried cranberries, parsley, and optional raisins, green onion, and seeds to the carrots.

Gently toss everything together.

4. Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• Greek yogurt
• Mayonnaise
• Honey
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix until smooth and creamy.

5. Dress the salad

Pour the dressing over the carrot and apple mixture.

Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

6. Chill

For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before serving.

Give it another gentle toss just before serving.

 Tips

• Use crisp, sweet-tart apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith.
• Don’t grate the carrots too finely; a slightly coarse grate gives better texture.
• Add the dressing shortly before serving if you want maximum crunch.
• If the salad becomes too creamy, add a little extra grated carrot or apple.
• For a lighter dressing, replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.

 Nut & Allergy Information

The basic recipe contains no peanuts or tree nuts.

The optional sunflower or pumpkin seeds are seeds, not tree nuts.

Potential allergens:

• Milk/dairy: Greek yogurt
• Egg: mayonnaise, depending on the product
• Mustard: Dijon mustard

For a nut-free preparation, check packaged dried cranberries, mayonnaise, yogurt, and mustard for allergen/cross-contact information.

 Variations

 Orange Cranberry Carrot Salad

Add 1 tsp orange zest and 1–2 tbsp fresh orange juice to the dressing.

 Crunchy Version

Add chopped walnuts or pecans if nuts are appropriate for you.

 Tropical

Add ½ cup crushed pineapple, well drained.

 Apple Raisin

Skip the cranberries and use extra raisins.

 Dairy-Free

Use a dairy-free yogurt and suitable mayonnaise.

 Recipe Q&A

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes. It can be prepared several hours ahead. For maximum crunch, keep the dressing separate and combine shortly before serving.

How long does it last?
Store covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2–3 days. The apples and carrots will gradually soften.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots?
Yes, although freshly grated carrots usually have better flavor and texture.

Why are my apples turning brown?
Tossing them with a little lemon juice after cutting helps slow browning.

Can I make it without mayonnaise?
Yes. Replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.

Can I make it vegan?
Use plant-based yogurt and vegan mayonnaise, and replace honey with maple syrup.

Can I use fresh cranberries?
Dried cranberries are recommended because they provide sweetness and chewy texture. Fresh cranberries are much more tart.

 Approximate Nutrition

Per serving, assuming 6 servings:

• Calories: ~150–180 kcal
• Protein: ~4 g
• Carbohydrates: ~25–30 g
• Fat: ~5–7 g
• Fiber: ~4–5 g
• Sugar: ~18–22 g

Nutrition is approximate and depends on the apples, dried cranberries, dressing, and optional ingredients.

 Social Media Caption

APPLE CRANBERRY CARROT SALAD ❤️

Crunchy carrots, fresh apples, sweet dried cranberries, and a creamy honey-lemon dressing come together in this colorful, refreshing salad!

Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, or a quick light lunch.

Save this recipe and give it a try!