This crunchy and tart Japanese Apple Salad with raisins is inspired by my mom‘s recipe. I use sweet Meyer lemon and plain yogurt to add tang to the creamy dressing for this light and refreshing side dish. It‘s so quick and easy to make!
Since my last post Korokke was a deep-fried dish, I want to share a healthy dish today. This salad is my mom’s recipe. Well, precisely speaking, I was trying to recreate her recipe with my memory of her salad. I wish she had kept a recipe book like what I am doing now then I would have her entire home cooking recipe collection. This is exactly the reason why I’m organizing my recipes for my kids. One day when they grow up and try to cook on their own (I hope!), they at least have a reference, either with this blog or a digital copy of some sort.
For the salad, I used Meyer lemon this time since my friend gave me a lot of organic Meyer lemons from her backyard. It was sweet and really juicy, which added a nice final touch to the salad.
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Japanese Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 4 Fuji apples
- 2–3 ribs celery
- ⅓ cup raisins
For the Dressing
- 6 Tbsp Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise (or substitute American mayo + 2 tsp white vinegar + 1 tsp sugar and whisk to dissolve the sugar; you can make homemade Japanese mayo)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice (or 1 Tbsp regular lemon juice)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1½ Tbsp milk
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing: 6 Tbsp Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise, 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice, 2 Tbsp sugar, and 1½ Tbsp milk.
- Cut 4 Fuji apples into thin slices, then cut the slices into small pieces.
- Keep the apples in salted water (add 1 tsp salt to a big bowl of water) for 1–2 minutes to prevent browning. Drain and dry the apple pieces with a clean kitchen towel.
- Slice 2–3 ribs celery into small pieces.
- Add the apples, celery, and ⅓ cup raisins to the dressing and toss together. Keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
To Store
- You can keep the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I really love your blog. I found your blog when I had a major craving for chicken katsu sando but don’t want to fry. I love that you have cooking alternatives ( esp, baking and instant pot) in your recipe and ingredient substitutes. For this recipe, is the milk mandatory? Would milk subs be okay? Thanks!
Hi Ja! Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed it! For this recipe, you can skip the milk or use a substitution. 🙂
Hi I was wondering how long does this salad stay good in the fridge
Hi Diana! Hmm probably 2 days? It’s best to enjoy fresh. 🙂
I haven’t made it yet because I wanted to ask you a question first
I really don’t like mayonnaise, so will it be fine if I don’t put it in dressing?
You can omit but you will need more lemon or something that gives a good kick to flavor so it’s not bland.
I made a similar recipe with less mayo and it’s here:
https://www.justonecookbook.com/apple-walnut-salad/
Hope you enjoy!
hi Nami,
I made this salad today and my husband and 4 year old son loved it very much.thanks for sharing..
Hi Lakmali! I’m so happy your family liked this salad! Thank you so much for letting me know. You made my day~~! 🙂