Love this Sweet and Crunchy Beet Salad! A tad of sweetness and a whole lot of crunch. I tried a similar salad at a restaurant and have since been trying to replicate it. This version is probably the closest to it. The apples in the salad add juiciness, and the cabbage and crispy onions add crunch. Together, it's crispy, juicy goodness!
1applegrated, sweet apple such as Fuji, Golden Delicious
1carrotmedium, peeled and grated
1/2teaspoonsaltplus more to taste
1tablespoonsour cream
1tablespoonmayonnaise
1 cupcrispy onionsee notes for other options
Instructions
Thinly slice the cabbage using a sharp knife or mandoline and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Soften the cabbage a little by gently massaging, or teasing, it with your hands.
Grate the apple, peeled carrot, and beets, and add them to the mixing bowl with the cabbage. Add the mayo and sour cream. Keep the crispy onions separate from the rest of the salad until ready to serve.
Season with salt and mix the ingredients in the mixing bowl so they are well combined.
Right before serving, stir in the crispy onions. Taste the salad and adjust the salt according to your liking - depending on the crispy onions you purchase, they may add additional salt, so make sure to taste it after you add the onions.
Notes
Packaged crispy onions are usually available at any grocery store. You can usually find them next to packaged bacon bits. But, if they are not available Tortilla Strips or Salad Noodles will work great as well. Just as with the crispy onions, add the tortilla strips or salad noodles right before serving, so they don’t become soggy in the salad.
If you have the time, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for some time before serving. This allows the flavors to meld, and it can enhance the overall taste of the salad.
Adjust the mayo and sour cream quantities according to your taste preferences. You can start with less and add more if needed.
Grate the carrot, beets, and apple finely for a more delicate texture in the salad. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment.
Keeping the crispy onions separate until serving ensures they maintain their crunchiness.
To avoid staining your hands when peeling and grating the beets, you can wear kitchen gloves
Take the time to gently massage or tease the cabbage with your hands. This not only softens the cabbage but also helps in distributing flavors.