Waldorf Salad

This Waldorf Salad brings together fresh fruit, nuts, and a smooth, tangy dressing. Serve it on fresh lettuce leaves for a light and delicious side that everyone will love.

Created at New York’s famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the 1890s, this Waldorf salad is refreshing and has stood the test of time for good reason. It’s the perfect blend of crisp apples, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and toasted walnuts, all brought together with a creamy, tangy dressing.

Today, I’m sharing my go-to version that brings together sweet and savory flavors, making it an absolute crowd-pleaser at potlucks, holiday gatherings, or as a light lunch on its own.

Why I love this recipe

• It comes together in just 10 minutes, perfect when I need something quick but impressive.
• It uses simple ingredients I usually have on hand, so no special shopping trips are required.
• This salad is a universal crowd-pleaser and easy to make-ahead for entertaining.
• It’s naturally sweet in every bite without being dessert-like, making it perfect as a side dish or light lunch.

Ingredients

• green apples – I like granny smith apples for their tart taste
• red apple
• red grapes
• celery
• chopped walnuts – walnuts give a great crunch to each bite of the salad
• raisins – sweetness and texture
• for the dressing – mayonnaise, white sugar, fresh lemon juice
• for serving – lettuce leaves, if desired

Step by step

1. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, sugar, and lemon juice and stir until smooth and well mixed.
2. In a large bowl, place the chopped apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and raisins.

1. Pour the creamy dressing over the fruit and nut mixture, then gently toss to coat everything evenly.
2. Chill in the refrigerator until serving time, and serve on a bed of lettuce leaves if desired.

Variations

If you are looking for a nice alternative to walnuts, try using pecans or almonds. Greek yogurt mixed into the dressing makes it lighter and tangier, while adding a drizzle of honey sweetens it up. I like using dried cranberries instead of raisins for a bit of fall flavor. It’s a fun recipe to customize and make your own personal version of the original waldorf salad.

For a complete meal, try to add diced chicken or turkey for some extra protein; it turns this salad into a satisfying lunch or light dinner.

Serving suggestion

I love presenting it as a side dish alongside roasted chicken or crock pot ham for Sunday dinner. It’s also perfect for holiday gatherings – Thanksgiving and Christmas tables especially – where its festive red and green colors fit right in.

For a light lunch, I’ll serve generous portions of butter lettuce or in lettuce cups with some pesto garlic bread or Texas Toast on the side.

Storage

Keep Waldorf salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed the same day for maximum crunch, but it can last a day or two if chilled in an airtight container. Avoid storing it for too long, as the apples may brown and lose their crispness.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!