PrintClassic Waldorf Salad Recipe: Crisp, Creamy, and Perfect for Any Gathering
I’m Alex, and I want to show you how to make the best classic Waldorf Salad. This recipe delivers the perfect balance of crunchy apples, celery, toasted walnuts, and a tangy, creamy dressing. It is simple, refreshing, and a great side dish for holidays or light lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups mixed greens (optional base)
- 2 cups crisp apples (like Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup seedless red or green grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (for tang and lightness)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1/2 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast (optional addition for Chicken Waldorf Salad)
Instructions
- Prepare the walnuts: Spread the walnuts on a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool completely.
- Prepare the fruit and vegetables: Chop the apples, celery, and grapes. If you are adding chicken, shred it now. Place all prepared ingredients into a large bowl.
- Make the creamy dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Combine: Pour the dressing over the apple, celery, grape, and walnut mixture. Gently fold everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated. If using chicken, fold it in now.
- Serve immediately: For the best texture, serve this crisp salad right away. If you must make it ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving to prevent the apples from softening.
Notes
- To keep the apples from browning, toss them lightly with a teaspoon of lemon juice before adding them to the main bowl.
- For a healthier twist, substitute all the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt, adding a bit more lemon juice for brightness.
- This salad is excellent served over a bed of crisp romaine or butter lettuce for a more substantial meal.
- Toast your walnuts! This step makes a big difference in the final flavor of this creamy apple walnut salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 24
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 15