Sweet, crisp apples combined with crunchy celery and plump raisins make a refreshingly simple salad. A light, creamy dressing of mayonnaise, lemon juice and a touch of sugar brightens the flavors and brings everything together. This easy dish is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or as a refreshing side for weeknight dinners.
The ingredient list is short and straightforward: apples, celery, raisins, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and a little sugar. For the best texture use sweet, crisp apples — Fuji are excellent when available, but Gala or other sweet varieties work well too. If you prepare the apples ahead of time, toss them with a splash of water and a teaspoon of lemon juice to slow browning.
Soften the raisins by briefly covering them with hot water while you chop the apples and celery; drain and pat them dry before folding into the salad. Mix the dressing separately so you can adjust the sweetness to taste. If you prefer a slightly sweeter dressing, you can substitute Miracle Whip for mayonnaise, but reduce the added sugar and taste as you go.
Once combined, chill the salad for about an hour so the flavors meld and the dressing firms slightly. Serve cold. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for a couple of days; the apples will soften a bit over time but the salad will still be tasty.
Recipe
Apple Raisin Salad
Prep Time: 10 mins
Chilling time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Gluten-free, Vegetarian
Servings: 8 servings
Calories per serving: 233 cal
Ingredients
- 5 apples, cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Place the raisins in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 5 minutes to plump up, then drain and spread on a paper towel to dry briefly.
- Core and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces. If preparing ahead, toss the chopped apples with a little water and a teaspoon of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Finely chop the celery so it blends well with the fruit and provides a crisp texture.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the apples, drained raisins, and chopped celery.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and sugar until smooth. Taste and adjust the sugar if you prefer a sweeter or tangier dressing. If using Miracle Whip, reduce any added sugar since Miracle Whip is sweeter than plain mayonnaise.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and celery mixture and stir gently until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for about an hour to chill and allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold.
Notes
- Miracle Whip will make a sweeter dressing than mayonnaise; reduce the sugar accordingly and taste as you mix.
- If you chop the apples in advance, toss them with a teaspoon of lemon juice mixed into a little water to keep them from turning brown.
- For a slightly richer texture, you can substitute part of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt; this will add tang and reduce overall fat.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 233 cal
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 11 g
Sodium: 96 mg
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 18 g
Net Carbohydrates: 32 g
Pin this recipe:
