If you’re craving a crisp, creamy, and timeless salad with a perfect balance of fresh fruit, crunchy nuts, and a touch of tang, you’re going to love this Waldorf Salad. Whether served as a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or part of a festive holiday spread, this recipe is a classic that never goes out of style.
Why You’ll Love This Spectacular Salad
- Fast. You can whip it up in under 15 minutes. No cooking required!
- Fresh. Apples, grapes, and celery come together for an ultra-refreshing bite.
- Versatile. Great for everyday meals, brunches, potlucks, or holiday dinners.
- Nutritious. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats.
This upgraded version of the traditional Waldorf Salad is a beautiful balance of creamy dressing, tart apples, sweet grapes, crunchy walnuts, and fresh celery. It’s just as perfect for meal prep as it is for special occasions!
Why Is It Called Waldorf Salad?
The Waldorf Salad is named after the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, where it was first created in 1896. The original version was a simple mix of apples, celery, and mayonnaise, developed by Oscar Tschirky, the hotel’s maître d’hôtel, not a chef, but a well-known hospitality figure at the time.
Over time, the recipe evolved to include grapes and walnuts, turning it into the creamy, crunchy fruit-and-nut salad we recognize today. Its name stuck as the dish became popular among the hotel’s elite guests and was eventually adopted across the U.S. and beyond. So, the salad’s name pays homage to its iconic and elegant origin.
What Does It Taste Like?
Waldorf Salad has a wonderfully refreshing and balanced flavor profile that combines sweet, tangy, and savory elements.
The crisp apples and juicy grapes lend a natural sweetness, while the celery adds a clean, slightly bitter crunch that keeps the salad light and refreshing. Toasted walnuts introduce an earthy richness and satisfying texture, making each bite interesting. The creamy dressing adds a smooth, tangy component that ties all the ingredients together without overwhelming them. A touch of lemon juice brightens the overall flavor and keeps the apples from browning, enhancing the salad’s fresh taste.
Altogether, Waldorf Salad is crisp, creamy, and subtly sweet with a hint of tang, making it a timeless and elegant dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Crisp Apples– These form the heart of the salad, offering a sweet-tart flavor and juicy crunch. Keeping the skin on adds visual appeal and texture. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala hold up well in the creamy dressing and don’t turn mushy.
- Red or Green Grapes– Juicy and naturally sweet, grapes complement the apples while adding a burst of flavor in every bite. Using both red and green grapes adds a pop of color and balance in sweetness.
- Celery– Its crisp texture provides a refreshing contrast to the soft fruit. It adds an earthy, slightly peppery note that helps balance the sweetness of the apples and grapes.
- Toasted Nuts– Essential for the signature crunch, walnuts also lend a nutty richness and earthy depth that enhances the salad’s flavor complexity. Toasting intensifies their aroma and adds warmth.
- Mayonnaise– Acts as the creamy base for the dressing, binding the ingredients together. It delivers richness and a smooth mouthfeel that contrasts beautifully with the crisp produce.
- Greek Yogurt– Lightens the dressing by adding tang and cutting through the heaviness of the mayo. It introduces a slight acidity that complements the lemon and enhances the overall flavor.
- Lemon Juice– Prevents the apples from oxidizing (turning brown) while adding a bright, citrusy acidity that livens up the dish.
- Salt & Pepper– These basic seasonings enhance and unify all the flavors in the salad. A touch of salt elevates the sweetness, while black pepper adds subtle warmth.
- Optional Garnishes– Fresh parsley adds a touch of herbal brightness, lettuce cups make for an elegant presentation, and extra nuts offer more texture and flavor contrast when serving.
How To Make Waldorf Salad
- Prepare the Produce. Start by dicing the apples into small bite-sized chunks. No need to peel them unless you prefer it. Halve the grapes and slice the celery thinly. Place everything in a large mixing bowl.
- Toast the Walnuts. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Let them cool slightly, then roughly chop.
- Make the Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine. Pour the dressing over the apple mixture and toss to coat everything evenly. Add the toasted walnuts and gently fold them in to keep their crunch.
- Chill and Serve. For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve on its own, over lettuce leaves, or as a side with chicken or turkey.
Tips And Tricks
Here are a few pro tips to ensure your Waldorf Salad turns out perfectly every time:
- Use fresh, crisp apples. Softer apples will get mushy in the dressing. Stick to firmer varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp.
- Toast your nuts. It makes a huge difference in flavor and texture. Just a few minutes in a dry skillet can bring out their nutty richness.
- Balance the dressing. Taste the dressing before mixing. If it’s too tangy, add a bit of honey; too thick, thin it with a splash of milk.
- Prevent browning. Toss the apples in lemon juice right after chopping to keep them from turning brown.
Variations
While the classic version of Waldorf Salad is amazing on its own, these creative twists can elevate it even further:
- Add Chicken. Turn it into a full meal by adding chopped rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breast.
- Use Pecans or Almonds. Not a walnut fan? Try toasted pecans or slivered almonds instead.
- Add Dried Fruit. Raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates add extra sweetness and chew.
- Make it Vegan. Use a plant-based mayo and coconut yogurt for a fully dairy-free and egg-free version.
- Serve It Warm. Try sautéing the apples and grapes briefly before tossing them with warm toasted walnuts and a slightly thinner dressing.
What To Enjoy With Waldorf Salad?
Waldorf Salad is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses or can stand alone as a light lunch. Here are some delicious pairing ideas:
How Long Does It Last?
Waldorf Salad is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The apples may lose some crispness, but the flavor will still be delicious. If making ahead, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving.
More Simple Salad Recipes
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Waldorf Salad Recipe | Classic Salad With A Modern Twist
If you’re craving a crisp, creamy, and timeless salad with a perfect balance of fresh fruit, crunchy nuts, and a touch of tang, you’re going to love this Waldorf Salad.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chill: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Salads, Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Old Fashioned Waldorf Salad, Waldorf Salad, Waldorf Salad Recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Click on highlighted ingredients or Equipment to see exactly what I use to make this recipe
Instructions
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Prepare the Produce. Start by dicing the apples into small bite-sized chunks. No need to peel them unless you prefer it. Halve the grapes and slice the celery thinly. Place everything in a large mixing bowl.
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Toast the Walnuts. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Let them cool slightly, then roughly chop.
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Make the Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
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Combine. Pour the dressing over the apple mixture and toss to coat everything evenly. Add the toasted walnuts and gently fold them in to keep their crunch.
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Chill and Serve. For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve on its own, over lettuce leaves, or as a side with chicken or turkey.
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