Waldorf salad is a classic side dish with a nostalgic flair!
Apples, walnuts, celery, grapes, and raisins unite in a simple mayonnaise dressing for a unique flavor combination!
Prep it ahead for your next holiday dinner or throw this easy salad together in minutes when something different is needed on the table.
What is Waldorf Salad?
- The original Waldorf salad recipe was created by the maître d’hôtel, Oscar Tschirky, from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. The classic Waldorf salad recipe only contained apples, celery, and mayonnaise.
- This Waldorf salad recipe is a spin on the classic with its vintage ingredient list that includes fruit, nuts, and raisins!
- It’s super easy to prepare, even small kids can help!
- The crisp sweetness of apples offsets the walnuts and celery perfectly.
- A classic Thanksgiving or Christmas dish that will be a hit served as an appetizer or a side dish.
Waldorf Salad Ingredients
Apples – Crisp & sweet red apples are the best apples to use. Go for Honey crisp for the best texture or classic MacIntosh. Red delicious, Gala apples, Fuji, or pink lady will all work. If you prefer tart apples, green Granny Smith apples will make a very tart Waldorf salad!
Grapes & Raisins – This salad uses a combo of red grapes and green grapes. Regular sultana raisins are typical in Waldorf salad, but dried cranberries add a bright and tangy burst. Experiment with different dried fruits like blueberries, goji berries, or dried cherries.
Walnuts – Walnuts give this salad extra crunch and flavor! Other nuts and seeds to try include crushed Brazil nuts, almonds, pecans, or toasted sunflower seeds. Go for unsalted nuts to keep the flavors clean. Watching calories? Simply replace nuts with extra celery!
Dressing – Simple mayo with sugar added keeps this salad creamy. Try swapping half the mayo for sour cream or for a lower fat option, swap for plain Greek yogurt.
Variations – Make it into an entree salad or sandwich filling with the addition of chopped chicken and onion or serve it over a bed of lettuce leaves. Add in some pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds), mini marshmallows, poppy seeds, or even hemp hearts for extra protein.
How to Make Waldorf Salad
Simple is the name of the game with this recipe:
- Wash and chop apples, slice celery, and halve grapes. If using whole walnuts, chop them.
- Whip mayonnaise with sugar.
- In a large bowl, toss apple mixture (per recipe below) with dressing, taste and add salt & pepper to taste, and chill.
Can It Be Made Ahead?
To make Waldorf salad ahead of time, chop the apples and toss them in a lemon juice and water mixture, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. This will keep the apples from oxidizing and will add a bright, citrusy element to the dressing.
Storing Waldorf Salad
Store leftover salad in an airtight container, and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Drain the liquid off before serving, then mix in a teaspoon or two of fresh mayonnaise with a sprinkle of sugar and perhaps a squeeze of lemon. Delish!
Sweet and Savory Salad Recipes
Did your family enjoy this Waldorf Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad is a nostalgic salad that combines celery, grapes, apples, walnuts, and raisins in a creamy base.
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Combine mayonnaise and sugar. Set aside
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In a medium bowl, toss together all remaining ingredients.
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Stir in the mayonnaise mixture and stir to combine.
Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Stir before serving again.
Calories: 264 | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 4.2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad, Side Dish
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