Meet your new favorite burst-of-sunshine salad: Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad! This delightful dish is everything you want in a salad—colorful, crunchy, cheerfully fruity, and just the right amount of creamy. With crisp apples, sweet carrots, tangy dried cranberries, and a cozy touch of cinnamon, every bite feels like a celebration of flavor and texture. Whether you’re prepping for a weekend brunch or need a quick, healthy side, there’s something irresistible about this salad that makes it hard to stop at just one helping.

Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad is how a handful of simple pantry staples come together to create something truly special. Each ingredient brings its own lovely touch—whether that’s a pop of color, a zing of flavor, or a satisfying crunch—and you’ll notice it all with every forkful.

Carrots (2 large, peeled and grated): The foundation of our salad, they add sweetness, texture, and a vivid orange hue.
Apple (1 medium, chopped): A crisp, juicy sweet apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji shines and perfectly balances the tangy and creamy components.
Dried Cranberries (1/3 cup): Tiny ruby gems that deliver tartness and a chewy contrast to the crunchier ingredients.
Walnuts or Pecans (2 tablespoons, chopped, optional): For those who love a nutty crunch, just a sprinkle brings richness and depth—totally worth it!
Fresh Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon): Adds brightness and keeps the apple from turning brown, preserving the salad’s fresh color.
Plain Greek Yogurt or Mayonnaise (2 tablespoons): The creamy binding agent, yogurt keeps things light—mayo makes it extra luscious.
Honey or Maple Syrup (1 teaspoon): Just a hint of natural sweetness brings all the flavors together beautifully.
Pinch of Salt: Don’t skip it! A tiny bit sharpens the flavors and keeps things balanced.
Ground Cinnamon (pinch, optional): A warm, aromatic finish that plays well with apple and carrot alike.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad

Step 1: Prep the Produce

Start by peeling and grating your carrots—nothing fancy, just use the large holes on your box grater for long, tender shreds. Chop that crisp apple into bite-sized chunks (you can leave the skin on for extra color and fiber), and if you’re going with nuts, give them a rough chop. Lay everything out, so the Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad comes together without a hitch.

Step 2: Mix Up the Salad Base

Toss the grated carrots, chopped apple, dried cranberries, and nuts (if using) together in a big, roomy bowl. This is when you’ll start to appreciate the contrast of colors and textures that makes Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad so visually appealing.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Dressing

In a smaller bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, honey (or maple syrup), a pinch of salt, and a smidge of cinnamon if you’re feeling cozy. Mix until everything is perfectly smooth and blended—this aromatic dressing is the secret sauce that makes each bite sing.

Step 4: Combine and Toss

Pour the creamy dressing over your carrot mixture. Use tongs or two big spoons to toss until every bit of carrot, apple, and cranberry is luxuriously coated. The salad should look nice and glossy, with every piece lightly dressed but not soggy.

Step 5: Chill for Best Flavor

Pop the bowl in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes. This little rest time lets all the flavors meld together, and the Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad tastes even better when cold and crisp. Serve chilled and get ready for compliments!

How to Serve Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad

Garnishes

For a final flourish, scatter a few extra cranberries or nuts over the top just before serving. A dusting of fresh herbs—think chopped parsley or mint—can add brightness, or try a little extra pinch of cinnamon for a cozy touch.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully alongside almost anything. It’s a dream with roast chicken, baked fish, or grilled tofu, and brings color and crunch to holiday spreads, BBQs, or your regular weekday lunch plate. The Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad also works as a bright counterpoint to rich, creamy casseroles or hearty soups.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to make this salad a star? Pile it high in individual mason jars for a picnic, spoon it into lettuce cups for easy finger food, or use it as a colorful topper for avocado toast. You can even turn Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad into a main event by serving it over a bed of baby greens or quinoa.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, you’re in luck—Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad keeps beautifully. Just transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to two days; the flavors deepen and develop even more after some time chilling.

Freezing

This isn’t a salad that loves the freezer, unfortunately. The apples and carrots can lose their crunch, and the creamy dressing might separate. It’s best to enjoy Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad fresh or within a couple of days.

Reheating

Here’s the good news—no reheating required! This salad shines when served cold straight from the fridge. If it’s separated a bit, just give it a gentle stir before serving to bring everything back together.

FAQs

What kind of apples work best in Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad?

A sweet, crisp variety like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala gives you the ideal crunch and juiciness. Tart Granny Smith apples can also add a zingy twist—just choose your favorite!

Can I make this salad dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the Greek yogurt for vegan mayonnaise or even a splash of orange juice for a creamy, tangy twist that keeps the Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad 100% dairy-free.

Is it possible to prepare this salad in advance?

Yes—this salad is actually even better if made a few hours ahead. Just wait to add the nuts until right before serving, so they stay crunchy and fresh.

How can I add extra protein?

Try mixing in a handful of chickpeas or topping your Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad with cooked, shredded chicken or tofu for a more satisfying main dish.

Could I use other dried fruit instead of cranberries?

Of course! Raisins, chopped dried apricots, or chopped dates would all be delicious. Feel free to customize based on what you have in your pantry.

Final Thoughts

There’s something wonderfully cheerful and crowd-pleasing about Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad—it’s quick to make, fabulous for meal prep, and a guaranteed hit at gatherings. Give it a try and see how much joy a bowl of color and crunch can bring to your table!

Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

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Description

A refreshing and colorful Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad that combines the sweetness of apples, tartness of cranberries, and crunch of nuts in a creamy dressing. Perfect for a light and healthy side dish!

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

2 large carrots (peeled and grated)
1 medium apple (chopped)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Dressing:

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
pinch of salt
pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine carrots, apple, cranberries, and nuts.
Make Dressing: Whisk lemon juice, yogurt/mayo, honey, salt, and cinnamon until smooth.
Combine: Pour dressing over salad, toss to coat evenly, and chill for 10–15 minutes.