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Sweet, crunchy and creamy this classic Waldorf salad recipe is a wonderful accompaniment to any meal. Packed with apples, grapes, celery and walnuts, and tossed in a mayonnaise dressing, it’s easy to see why this traditional recipe has been so popular all of these years!!
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Simple to make, this Waldorf salad has to be one of my most favorite salad recipes, I’m so addicted to the crunchy texture!
Loaded with fresh an healthy ingredients, this traditional salad is great to serve up as a side dish to your favorite weeknight meals, and it’s great for picnics and cookouts.
Created in 1896 at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City by Oscar Tschirky, this simple salad has remained popular throughout the years, and it’s easy to see why!
Be sure to try my Wedge Salad and Caesar Salad too!
Why you will love this Waldorf Salad Recipe!
- Quick and easy: Made with a handful of everyday ingredients, this salad comes together quickly and easily, and I love that there’s no cooking involved!
- Make ahead: This is a great make ahead option, and will easily sit in your fridge for several days.
- Crowd pleaser: This is a great salad to serve up at a potluck or whenever you are hosting. Everyone is so familiar with this salad, they’ll love the comfort factor!
Waldorf Salad Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: This gives the salad a creamy texture and rich flavor. You can also substitute it with plain yogurt or sour cream.
- Lemon juice: Just a little to freshen up the salad and balance out the cream dressing. Use fresh for the best flavor rather than bottled.
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Apples: I like to use a mix of red and green Granny Smith apples. Use sweet apples like Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp or Red Delicious.
- Grapes: Use red grapes that tend to be sweeter than green. Use seedless for convenience, otherwise be sure to remove seeds before mixing the with the other ingredients.
- Celery sticks: Thinly sliced celery adds a lovely fresh crunch, and it isn’t a Waldorf salad without them!
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts bring an slightly earthy flavor that works so great with the sweetness. If you prefer you can toast the walnuts in the oven or in a skillet.
- Lettuce: I like to serve this salad on a bed of green lettuce leaves.
How to make Waldorf Salad
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Add the chopped apples, sliced grapes, celery, and walnuts to the bowl with the dressing, and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Serve the Waldorf salad on a bed of fresh green leaf lettuce for a delightful presentation.
Can you make it healthier?
One way to reduce the fat and calories in this salad, but still keep it perfectly creamy, is to swap all or some of the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is much lower in fat and calories and it also has a nice tang that works great with the other ingredients. You can also use a low fat mayo, though the dressing will be a little thinner.
Can you make it ahead of time?
Once made, this salad will keep well, covered in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 3 days. The mayonnaise coating stops the apples from browning too quickly, and the ingredients are pretty solid, so won’t wilt or soften as they sit.
You can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
Recipe Variations
This salad is a traditional recipe for good reason, because it just works! It’s easy to add in a few basics though to suit your tastes. Check out my Chicken Waldorf Salad that’s a more heartier dish, or try adding in some dried fruits, cranberries or raisins work great. I love to use walnuts, but other nuts like pecans or almonds could be used instead.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Notes and Tips
By following these tips, you can create a delicious and refreshing Waldorf Salad that’s perfect for any occasion.
- Chop the ingredients into small and similar sized pieces. This will make everything easier to combine and give the salad a more even consistency.
- If making ahead of time, skip the bed of green lettuce until just before serving so that it doesn’t wilt.
- For the best flavors and textures, use the freshest ingredients you can.
- For the best flavor, chill the Waldorf Salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- The salad will keep well in the fridge for 3 days.
More Salad Recipes
Waldorf Salad
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INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 1.5 cups sweet apples, cored and chopped in ½” cubes, (red & green)
- 1 cup red seedless grapes, sliced in half
- 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
- 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
- Green leaf lettuce
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Add the chopped apples, sliced grapes, celery, and walnuts to the bowl with the dressing, and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Serve the Waldorf salad on a bed of fresh green leaf lettuce for a delightful presentation.
TIPS & NOTES
- Chop the ingredients into small and similar sized pieces. This will make everything easier to combine and give the salad a more even consistency.
- If making ahead of time, skip the bed of green lettuce until just before serving so that it doesn’t wilt.
- For the best flavors and textures, use the freshest ingredients you can.
- The salad will keep well in the fridge for 3 days.
NUTRITION
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Always looking for new recipes, especially salads