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This Classic American Waldorf Salad recipe has been a cherished recipe in my family for years. The crunchy apples and walnuts, crisp celery, and sweet grapes pair beautifully with the creamy dressing. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. So many delicious flavors and textures.
The Perfect Side Dish
I first tried Waldorf Salad at my mother-in-law’s home in the early 1990s. She was an excellent cook, and this salad was a side dish at many of her meals. I fell in love with the balance of sweet and savory flavors – and the crunch!
This is my go-to recipe when I need an easy make-ahead salad for potlucks, a fresh Thanksgiving side salad, or holiday side dish salad.
❤️ Echo
What is a Waldorf Salad?
The original Waldorf salad was created in 1893 for a charity ball at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. Credited to Oscar Tschirky, the recipe featured just 3 ingredients: apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Later Waldorf Salad recipes appearing in cookbooks included the addition of walnuts. More recent adaptations included dried fruit or grapes for extra sweetness. For a comprehensive look at the history of the American Waldorf Salad, check out this Food52 article.
Ingredients Needed
- Crisp apples: Choose Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala for the best flavor and crunch. I like a mix of red and green apples.
- Lemon juice: Keeps the apples fresh and prevents browning.
- Red grapes: Halved for easy eating.
- Celery sticks: Chopped for a fresh, crunchy bite.
- Walnuts: Toasting them lightly enhances their flavor (optional). You can also substitute pecans, as we do in our Nuts about Berries Salad.
- Mayonnaise: It’s the only thing you need for the dressing. For a Waldorf Salad without mayo, use Greek yogurt as a substitute.
- Lettuce leaves: Use green leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, mixed greens, or other varieties for a nice presentation. I recommend this for a fancier meal, like a Christmas dinner.
How to Make Waldorf Salad
- Prepare the ingredients: Wash and dice the apples into bite-size chunks. Toss them in lemon juice to keep apples from browning. Halve the grapes a nd chop the celery.
- Combine the ingredients: Add the grapes, celery, and walnuts to the apples.
- Add the dressing and refrigerate: Stir in the mayonnaise until everything is well coated. Chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
- Serve: Serve family-style in a large bowl or scoop individual portions onto a bed of lettuce for an elegant presentation.
The Dressing
This creamy dressing is true to the original Waldorf-Astoria recipe, it’s simply mayonnaise. The sweetness of the apples and grapes balances the mayo perfectly, but you can customize the dressing:
- For a sweeter dressing: Mix 2 teaspoons of sugar or 1 teaspoon of honey into the mayonnaise before it is added to the salad. Stir in a little lemon juice for a fresh, citrus flavor.
- Mayonnaise substitutes: Not a fan of mayo? For a lighter Waldorf Salad dressing, use non-fat plain yogurt, Greek yogurt, or Miracle Whip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweet, crisp apples work best. I recommend using a combination of Pink Lady and Granny Smith for a blend of colors and flavors. Other great options include: Cosmic Crisp, Honey Crisp, Gala, Envy, and Fuji.
Yes, but it’s best served the same day. Prepare it no more than a few hours before serving to keep the apples fresh and the walnuts crunchy.
Yes! Adding cooked chicken turns Waldorf Salad into a hearty main dish. It’s especially delicious with leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breast.
Waldorf Salad will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, it’s best enjoyed the day it’s made, as the apples, celery, and walnuts lose their crunch over time.
Waldorf Salad complements many main dishes including roasted turkey, ham, grilled chicken, or pork. It’s a refreshing side dish for holiday meals, summer barbecues, or potlucks.
More Fruit Salad Recipes You’ll Love
Planning a holiday menu? Try these easy fruit salad recipes that travel well and pair with ham, turkey, and roasts.
Did you love the crunch and sweetness? Let us know—leave a review below and give this Waldorf Salad your ⭐ rating!
Waldorf Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady apples
- 3 crisp Granny Smith apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped celery (about 3 ribs)
- 2 cups red grapes
- 1 cup walnuts
- ¾ cup mayonnaise or plain yogurt
- 3 cups green leaf lettuce or mixed greens
Instructions
- Wash and dice the 6 apples into bite-size pieces. Place the diced apples in a large bowl and toss in lemon juice. Rinse and half 2 cups of grapes. Wash and slice the 3 ribs of celery to get 1 cup. Cut the walnuts in half.
- Mix celery, grapes, and walnuts in with the apples. Add ¾ cup mayonnaise or yogurt and stir until the fruit and nuts are well coated.
- Refrigerate salad until ready to serve.
- Serve over a bed of green leaf lettuce or mixed salad greens.
Video
Notes
Storing Leftovers:
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best to use this salad within a day or two. The apples will start to brown, the pecans will soften, and the salad will become watery.Nutrition Information
More Delicious Salad Recipes
Looking for more fresh, flavorful salads? These recipes are easy to make and perfect for any occasion:
How many does 1x, 2x and 3x serve?
This serves 12 for 1 batch so 12, 24, and 36 servings. Hope this helps!
This has always been a family favorite since I can remember. My mother made this at many family events and I continue the tradition today.
So so delicious but I had to split the recipe in half and omit the walnuts in one half because my daughter’s boyfriend is allergic to nuts. To my surprise all of the kids loved it.