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Why You’ll Love My Recipe
Who knew a salad could be creamy, crunchy, sweet and nutty? That’s the magic of this Classic Waldorf Salad! Chopped apples, grapes, celery, and toasted walnuts are tossed in a mayonnaise dressing for a refreshing bite every time. Fun fact: this iconic dish was invented in the late 1800s by Oscar Tschikry, the head chef at New York’s Waldorf Hotel – so every serving comes with a little taste of history!
This salad shines during the holiday season! Pair it with my cheesy Bisquick Sausage Balls Recipe, some Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies or my Leftover Turkey Turnovers for a festive spread your guests will love.
Karlynn’s Recipe Notes
- Skill Level: This Classic Waldorf Salad is super easy to make! Even beginners can pull this salad off in no time.
- Total Time: Only 20 minutes and 3 simple steps to a creamy, crunchy salad!
- Variations: Mix things up by adding golden raisins, dried cranberries, chopped cauliflower, or even a few mini marshmallows! Serve your salad alongside my Pretty Darn Perfect Sweet Dinner Rolls, or add some Instant Pot Pulled Pork or Oven Baked Chicken Breast for a hearty meal.
- Tools For This Recipe: You will need a medium-sized bowl, a whisk, and a spoon for stirring.
What You’ll Need for Ingredients
Apples: Sweet apples work best here. Peel and chop them if you prefer a smoother texture, or leave the skins on for extra color! Karlynn’s Tip: Choose crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a flavorful bite that holds up beautifully in the salad.
Celery: Slice the celery thinly for a light crunch that balances the sweetness of the fruit.
Walnuts: Toasted and chopped walnuts add a nutty crunch and deepen the flavor of the salad. Karlynn’s Tip: Toast them in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes to bring out their natural oils and earthy notes.
Red Grapes: Halved red grapes bring juicy bursts of sweetness to every bite. For a fun twist, try mixing red and green grapes for a bright color contrast!
Mayonnaise: Using classic mayonnaise gives this salad its creamy base, but plain yogurt works just as well if you want a lighter twist. Karlynn’s Tip: Store-bought mayo works perfectly well, but making my Homemade Mayonnaise lets you add a touch of sweetness or tang, giving this Classic Waldorf Salad a custom flavor that’s all your own!
How To Make Classic Waldorf Salad
This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the salad ingredients.
- Combine the ingredients for the dressing. Whisk until smooth and pour over the salad.
- Stir until the mixture is coated in the dressing and enjoy!
Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Classic Waldorf Salad
- Keep It Classic or Make It Your Own: The original Waldorf salad was just red apples, celery, and mayonnaise, with chopped walnuts added later. I love how flexible traditional recipes like this are – you can easily customize this salad to your taste while still honoring its history!
- Mind Your Mayo: Salad is usually healthy… but that depends on the salad! This Waldorf Salad isn’t unhealthy by any means, but the mayo can be a bit rich and high in calories if you’re watching your intake. I’ve used it here myself, but Greek yogurt works beautifully as a lighter, tangy alternative.
Storage Instructions
This Classic Waldorf Salad is best enjoyed chilled, and it’s at its best on the day you make it!
Refrigerator: Store your salad in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 2 days. It’s okay if the salad sits out briefly while serving, but the mayonnaise and fruit can start to break down if left out at room temperature for too long.
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this salad! The mayonnaise and fruit don’t hold up well in the freezer, which causes the dressing to separate and the fruit to become watery or mushy. You’ll want to preserve the creamy texture and fresh flavor of this salad!
More Delicious Salad Recipes
If you’re craving more vibrant and tasty Salad Recipes, you’ll want to try these reader favorites next:
- Frog Eye Salad is sweet, creamy, and light with a fun tapioca-like texture!
- This Classic Wedge Salad combines fresh iceberg lettuce, tangy blue cheese dressing, and all the crunchy toppings you love.
- Shrimp Caesar Salad is a fun seafood twist on the classic, zesty Caesar.
And there you have it! A crisp, creamy Waldorf salad that’s full of crunch, sweetness, and nutty flavor. It’s perfect for holiday meals, potlucks, or a simple weekday lunch.
Give this recipe a try and share how your salad turned out in the comments below! I always love hearing about your kitchen adventures.
Happy Cooking!
Karlynn
Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
Waldorf Salad Ingredients
- 3 sweet apples, cored and chopped (peeled if you prefer)
- 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chopped walnutes, toasted
- ½ cup red grapes, washed and halved
Waldorf Salad Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise, or plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Place the salad ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
- Whisk together the salad dressing ingredients until smooth, then pour over the salad ingredients. Stir until the apple mixture is coated in the dressing.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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