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Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad

This carrot apple and walnut salad is so simple and delicious. My hubby and I couldn't stop eating it!! @natashaskitchen

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This Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad is quick and easy; my kind of salad! My husband and I both kept going back to the bowl for refills and nearly finished the entire batch between the two of us, but you know what? It. felt .good!

This salad is loaded with healthy ingredients. The lemony dressing and plump raisins make it irresistible.

This carrot apple and walnut salad is so simple and delicious. My hubby and I couldn't stop eating it!! @natashaskitchen

There’s something about sunflower oil that gives any salad a Slavic kick. It’s that secret little ingredient that makes salads taste more “authentic” to my Ukrainian taste buds (afterall, Ukraine and Russia are two of the largest producers of sunflower oil).

It’s so aromatic and adds great flavor. If you haven’t tried it, I think you should give it a whirl. P.S. If you have the option, it’s best to buy un-refined sunflower oil – it tastes better and is a little better for you.

Ingredients for Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad:

1 lb (about 5 large) carrots, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
2 apples (we used granny smith), peeled, cored and sliced into matchsticks
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped, lightly toasted
1/2 cup raisins
Juice of 1 medium lemon (3 Tbsp, divided)
3 Tbsp sunflower oil (3 Tbsp)
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper to taste

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad-4

How to Make Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad:

1. Toast walnuts on a dry skillet until golden then remove from heat to cool (keep an eye on them; they can burn quickly).

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad

2. Soak raisins in 1 cup boiling hot water for about 1 minute to soften them up. Drain well and set aside.

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad-2

3. Cut carrots into matchsticks and place them in a large mixing bowl. P.S. We recommend this Borner Julienne Grater – these julienne slicers are hard to find, but we bought ours on Amazon.

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad-5

4. Cut apples into matchsticks and toss them with 1 Tbsp lemon juice right away to prevent browning. I used a granny smith apples but most apples will work well. 

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad-3

5. Add soaked raisins and toasted walnuts to the bowl.

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad-7

6. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 3 Tbsp sunflower oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Pour the dressing over salad and stir until combined. This salad stores really well in the refrigerator for several hours and the tiny bit that was leftover was still good the next day.

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad-6

This carrot apple and walnut salad is so simple and delicious. My hubby and I couldn't stop eating it!! @natashaskitchen

Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad

4.59 from 17 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
This carrot apple and walnut salad is so simple and delicious. My hubby and I couldn't stop eating it!! @natashaskitchen
This carrot and apple salad is quick and easy; my kind of salad! It is loaded with healthy ingredients. The lemony dressing and plump raisins make it irresistible. There's something about sunflower oil that gives any salad a Slavic kick. It's that secret little ingredient that makes salads taste more "authentic" to my Ukrainian taste buds (afterall, Ukraine and Russia are two of the largest producers of sunflower oil). It's so aromatic and adds great flavor. If you haven't tried it, I think you should give it a whirl. P.S. If you have the option, it's best to buy un-refined sunflower oil - it tastes better and is a little better for you.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 4
  • 1 lb about 5 large carrots, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
  • 2 apples, we used granny smith, peeled, cored and sliced into matchsticks
  • 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped, lightly toasted
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • Juice of 1 medium lemon, 3 Tbsp, divided
  • 3 Tbsp sunflower oil, 3 Tbsp
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Toast walnuts on a dry skillet until golden then remove from heat to cool (keep an eye on them; they can burn quickly).
  • Soak raisins in 1 cup boiling hot water for about 1 minute to soften them up. Drain well and set aside.
  • Cut carrots into matchsticks and place them in a large mixing bowl.
  • Cut apples into matchsticks and toss them with 1 Tbsp lemon juice right away to prevent browning (I used a granny smith apples but most apples will work well.
  • Add soaked raisins and toasted walnuts to the bowl.
  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 3 Tbsp sunflower oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Pour the dressing over salad and stir until combined.

Notes

This salad stores really well in the refrigerator for several hours and the tiny bit that was leftover was still good the next day.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: Carrot Apple and Walnut Salad
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $6-$8

Final Final Picmonkey Hashtag bannerThis carrot apple and walnut salad is so simple and delicious. My hubby and I couldn't stop eating it!! @natashaskitchen

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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Read comments/reviewsAdd comment/review

  • Ruth Bowman
    February 28, 2022

    Hi Natasha, I just made this recipe from memory last night. It’s one of my favorites!! I also added 1/2 sliced pineapples with real juice, 1/4 c chopped parsley & 1/2 cup organic coconut. It’s amazing, nutritious & refreshing ~ thank you! My heart is with the Ukrainian people **o**

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 28, 2022

      That sounds wonderful. I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing your experience.

      Reply

  • Loretta
    January 17, 2022

    Love this salad, Natasha! I tried it as written the first time and liked it quite well. Then I tried it with a bit of added celery per another reviewer, which brought up the walnut flavors – too much so for my taste. Lastly, I tried it with added grated ginger (on the microplaner) and had an “oh-wow-yum!” reaction.

    In general, I’m not terribly fond of carrots, but I need to eat them every day. This salad will definitely make that easier for me. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 17, 2022

      Yum! great idea! Thank you for sharing those tests with us, Loretta! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Kirsten
    October 28, 2020

    Thank you for the recipe! I made mine with what I had on hand, so shredded rainbow carrots, chopped dried cranberries, and roasted sunflower seeds.
    It was perfect!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 28, 2020

      Perfect and colorful just like fall! We love this salad and I’m so glad you did too!

      Reply

  • patricia allan
    May 7, 2020

    Lovely, I always add chopped celery to mine as in a waldorf. We all love this salad!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 7, 2020

      It is so good! Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Susana
    March 13, 2020

    This salad is delicious, carrot, apples and walnut make a perfect match!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 13, 2020

      Isn’t the flavor amazing! Thank you for sharing that awesome feedback with us Susana!

      Reply

  • Ray
    September 5, 2016

    Don’t waste the lemon zest! My wife and I zest the whole lemon, double everything else, and serve this to our Germans, Slavic, and Syrian Christian friends at fellowship dinners. All love it, and it fits fast and abstinence requirements. Love from Did-Mac-Zedo.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 5, 2016

      Thank you for sharing your tip! I’m so happy you all love the recipe 🙂

      Reply

  • Katja
    August 12, 2016

    Thanks for the great recipe! I added some grapes and loved it. I will definitely make it again😊

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 12, 2016

      Thank you for the nice review, I”m glad you liked it 😁.

      Reply

  • Susan Currie
    March 28, 2016

    I made this for EASTER and loved it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 28, 2016

      Susan, I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!

      Reply

  • yelena
    December 31, 2015

    Natasha i love all the dishes you post and cook almost exclusively everything from your site! However, this salad was a total dissappointment. It just tasted awful! 🙁 maybe its because i used pecans instead of walnuts? Idk no one will eat it in the fam…

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 31, 2015

      I wonder if it could have been one of the ingredients? Was your oil fresh and what kind of oil did you use? I once had a bottle of sunflower oil that went stale and ruined a recipe with it. Were the pecans stale possibly because just substituting pecans should have been fine.

      Reply

  • Vika
    September 10, 2015

    Yummy! I made this with the apples from my backyard and it just tastes like fall. I dont have a julienner and I am too lazy to matchstick the apple and carrot so I just grated them and it was delicious. My 7 year old daughter actually asked me for salad the next day after we had this! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 10, 2015

      Vika, thank you for the great review :), enjoy!

      Reply

      • Michelle Caoili
        September 27, 2020

        What is the substitute for sunflower oil? Thank you.

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          September 28, 2020

          You can try Olive oil or grapeseed oil

          Reply

  • Olga
    June 30, 2015

    Looks great! I make a slightly different version of the salad. I use carrots, dried apricots (“kuraga”), toasted pecans, garlic, and 1/2 mayo + 1/2 sour cream. So good!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 30, 2015

      I’m so printing your comment to try your version! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂 P.S. do you dice the apricots and how much carrots versus apricots?

      Reply

  • jenka
    June 19, 2015

    Natashik- u r the best, what else can I say..simple , but great salad!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 19, 2015

      I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂

      Reply

  • judee@ Gluten Free A-Z Blog
    May 27, 2015

    Each time I look at the photo, I want to take a bite. It looks so delicious. Not sure I could cut up the apple and carrot in matchsticks!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 27, 2015

      Thank you Judee :). You should check out this julienne slicer – it makes the slicing so easy and quick! 🙂

      Reply

  • Natalia
    May 17, 2015

    Natasha – I make a slightly different version of this recipe in which I add a Tbs of mayonnaise. I like your idea of adding apples, something I don’t do. Can’t wait to try your version, which seems healthier.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 17, 2015

      Thanks for sharing that with me and I hope you love this version! I think it would still taste great with a little mayo added.

      Reply

  • chantel
    April 23, 2015

    This sounds so good, but do you have a suggestion for a substitute for the sunflower oil? Im allergic to it.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 23, 2015

      You can use a mild olive oil instead. It won’t have quite the same flavor, but it will still work well 🙂

      Reply

  • Natalia
    January 27, 2015

    I make a similar salad but instead of the oil I add mayonnaise – it’s to die for & we usually pair it with the Easter Ham.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 27, 2015

      I’m a big fan of mayo salads too. It’s hard not to be if you have Slavic roots 😉

      Reply

    • Tatiana
      May 11, 2015

      My mom always used sour cream instead of mayo. The tangy flavor is great with the sweetness of the carrot and apple.

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        May 11, 2015

        Oooh I love that idea! I’ll have to give it a whirl! 🙂

        Reply

        • Tatiana
          May 11, 2015

          Yes, smetana was always an ingredient in any salad in our house – carrot salad, potato salad, jello molds, you name it! 🙂

          Reply

  • Jeni
    November 19, 2014

    This looks so delicious with such bright colors and fresh flavors!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 19, 2014

      Thanks so much Jeni 🙂

      Reply

  • Violet
    November 17, 2014

    This looks great! I am an American currently living/working in Ukraine with my fiance and I love your website because you have authentic dishes with English instructions! I am always at a loss as to making salads here, especially in wintertime, because most American salads are lettuce based, and I’m from California originally so the idea of vegetables not being available 24/7 is still something I am adjusting to. 🙂 I will definitely try this one though!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 17, 2014

      Hi Violet; that’s a great point! I hope you love this salad 🙂

      Reply

  • Julia | JuliasAlbum.com
    November 16, 2014

    Sometimes, I forget about carrots! Carrots make such great salads! Thanks for this colorful salad!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 16, 2014

      And they’re sweet! It’s one of the few veggies my son will eat raw! Thanks Julia 🙂

      Reply

  • Geil Rashwan
    November 15, 2014

    U r excellent ♥♥♥

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 15, 2014

      Thank you Geil :). That’s quite a compliment!

      Reply

  • Mom's Dish
    November 14, 2014

    This salad sounds amazing, my mouth is watering. I will deff make it this week. Btw, they sell sunflower oil at Trader Joes.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 14, 2014

      That is so great to know! I’ve only ever purchased it at the European store, but haven’t really looked anywhere else. Thanks girl! 😉

      Reply

  • NataG
    November 14, 2014

    Hello Natasha, thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks great

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 14, 2014

      You’re so very welcome 🙂

      Reply

  • Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking
    November 14, 2014

    This looks simple and delicious! Love all the color from the carrots, and I have been wondering how people cut veggies into matchsticks…mystery revealed! Pinned!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 14, 2014

      Thanks so much for pinning Lindsey! That grater is wonderful! We’ve been borrowing my Mom’s for years (thankfully she only lives a few minutes away), but we finally bought it on Amazon and it was a great investment. Much much easier than cutting it by hand and the texture is nicer than grating on a box grater.

      Reply

  • Nastja
    November 14, 2014

    Hmmm, that is my kind of salad. I will give it a try tomorrow! “Our” classic carrot salad is with garlic, red pepper and chilli. Maybe you know what I mean… I forgot the name.

    Regards from Germany,
    Nastja

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 14, 2014

      That sounds really really good! Is the red pepper julienned? Is it a spicy salad?

      Reply

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