Waldorf Salad Recipe

There are few dishes as delightfully refreshing and charmingly simple as the Waldorf Salad. Picture juicy apples, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and robust toasted walnuts, all coated in a creamy dressing that perfectly balances tangy and sweet. This salad is a true classic—part nostalgia, part modern crowd-pleaser—bringing crisp texture, a burst of color, and irresistible flavor to any table.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Waldorf Salad is a beautiful example of how just a handful of fresh, honest ingredients can create something unforgettable. Each component has a starring role, whether it’s for crunch, creaminess, sweetness, or just that irresistible nutty note.

• Apples: Crisp Gala or Granny Smith apples bring a juicy bite and delightful tartness—use a mix for extra color and complexity.
• Red seedless grapes: These add a pop of sweetness and striking color; halves are perfect for snagging with a fork in every bite.
• Celery: Thinly sliced celery offers a fresh, herbaceous crunch that balances the sweetness with a bit of earthiness.
• Walnuts: Roughly chopped and lightly toasted, walnuts provide a rich, buttery flavor and a hearty crunch.
• Mayonnaise: The creamy foundation of the dressing, balancing out the tang and holding everything together.
• Greek yogurt: Adds a light tang and extra creaminess, keeping the salad dressing a little more wholesome and bright.
• Lemon juice: Gives a fresh, zippy note and prevents the apples from browning.
• Honey: Just a touch to round out the flavors with gentle sweetness.
• Salt and black pepper: Essential for popping all the other flavors and keeping things perfectly seasoned.
• Butter lettuce leaves or spring greens (optional): These make for a classic, elegant bed to serve the salad on, but it’s just as good on its own.

How to Make Waldorf Salad

Step 1: Make the Creamy Dressing

Start by whisking together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. This takes just a minute but makes all the difference—a lush, silky coating for your crisp salad ingredients, with just the right blend of creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet.

Step 2: Prep and Add the Fruits and Nuts

Dice your apples (leave the peels on for extra color and nutrients!), halve the grapes, and thinly slice the celery. Roughly chop and toast the walnuts until they’re fragrant. Add all these to the bowl with your dressing, then gently toss everything so every bite gets evenly coated.

Step 3: Toss and Taste

Toss gently! You don’t want to smush the apples or break the grapes—you want all those beautiful textures to shine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding a pinch more salt or an extra splash of lemon juice if you like it brighter.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

You’re ready to go! Spoon the salad onto a platter, arrange over a bed of butter lettuce or spring greens if using, and serve immediately. If you’re making it in advance, wait to add the nuts just before serving so they stay extra crunchy.

How to Serve Waldorf Salad

Garnishes

A true Waldorf Salad loves a little extra flourish! Try a final sprinkle of toasted walnuts on top, a scatter of fresh herbs like parsley for color, or a twist of black pepper. If you’re feeling fancy, a few pomegranate seeds or extra apple matchsticks add sparkle and crunch.

Side Dishes

Waldorf Salad is perfectly at home as a light lunch on its own, but it also loves friends: serve it alongside roasted chicken, simple quiche, or a warm baguette for a wonderfully balanced meal. It’s also a standout addition to a festive brunch or as part of a holiday buffet.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve your Waldorf Salad in individual lettuce cups for a party-ready appetizer, or scoop it onto endive leaves. You can also pile it into mason jars for picnic lunches, serve in hollowed-out apples, or layer it in parfait glasses for a playful (yet elegant) spin.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra Waldorf Salad, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days. The flavors mellow and meld beautifully, though some crunch may soften a bit. For best texture, consider storing the toasted walnuts separately and sprinkling them on just before serving leftovers.

Freezing

Sadly, Waldorf Salad doesn’t freeze well. The fresh fruits and veg will turn watery and mushy after thawing, and the dressing can separate. It’s truly best enjoyed fresh, so make only as much as you’ll enjoy within a couple days.

Reheating

This is a chilled salad, designed to be enjoyed straight from the fridge. There’s no need to reheat—just give it a gentle toss to refresh the dressing, and you’re ready to dig in.

FAQs

Can I make Waldorf Salad dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the Greek yogurt for your favorite plant-based yogurt or simply use all mayonnaise. This keeps the dressing creamy while leaving out dairy, and the flavor is still fantastic.

What apples are best for Waldorf Salad?

A firm, crunchy apple like Gala or Granny Smith is ideal, but feel free to mix red and green apples for more color and nuanced flavor. Fuji or Honeycrisp are also excellent choices that won’t get mushy in the dressing.

Can I prepare Waldorf Salad in advance?

Yes! You can prep most components up to 2 hours before serving. To keep things crisp, add the walnuts just before serving, and toss the apples in lemon juice right away to prevent browning.

Are there any fun ingredient swaps?

Definitely! Try swapping walnuts for pecans or hazelnuts, use pears in place of apples for a fall twist, or add a handful of dried cranberries for extra sweetness and tang. There’s a lot of room for creativity.

How do I keep the salad from getting watery?

Choose crisp, fresh apples and celery, and don’t overdress the salad. If you make it ahead, store walnuts separately, and drain off any liquid that may accumulate before tossing and serving.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Waldorf Salad enough—it’s timeless, bright, satisfying, and a total celebration of simple ingredients. Whether you’re serving it on a weeknight or dazzling guests at a party, it always brings smiles. Give it a try and watch everyone head back for seconds!

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