This classic Waldorf salad recipe is always a hit. It’s sweet and fruity with crunchy toasted walnuts and celery.
The great thing about preparing food at home is that you can change things up and make a recipe your own. This Waldorf salad is easy to personalize. Read on to see ways to make this classic recipe just the way you like it.
Ingredients
You’ll need apples, walnuts, grapes, celery, and some kind of dressing to make this Waldorf salad. The picture shows two apples, but I wound up using three because my gala apples were a little on the small side.
Did you know that walnuts provide several health benefits? I always knew they were good for you, but when I read this article I learned more about why eating walnuts is such a good thing.
Variations on Waldorf Salad Ingredients
I used gala apples because that’s what I had on hand, but other varieties work in this salad. For a tart version, you might try granny smith apples. To make it sweeter, try fuji or honey crisp apples. Red delicious apples are not the best choice because their texture doesn’t hold up well in a salad. The red seedless grapes are not a standard ingredient, but I like the added sweetness and texture. You can omit them altogether or substitute raisins or other dried fruit, such as cranberries. As mentioned above, you can use mayo or yogurt instead of Miracle Whip dressing. If you use plain yogurt, you might need a touch of honey.
Did you know that Waldorf salad was created in 1896? The original recipe used only apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Now it’s typically made with walnuts, and the mayo can be replaced with yogurt or other dressings. I used Miracle Whip, which is a mayonnaise-based dressing but it has some added sugar and other ingredients that really bring out the flavors in this salad. You’ll also need a little bit of lemon juice.
Making Waldorf Salad
Toast the walnuts while you prepare the rest of the salad. About five minutes in a 350-degree oven is all you need to make the walnuts crunchy. While the walnuts are toasting, wash the fruit and celery and then start by chopping the apples into cubes. Put the apple cubes in the mixing bowl and add the lemon juice, stirring to coat the apple pieces. Slice the celery and add it to the bowl, followed by the grapes. You can leave the grapes whole or cut them in two pieces, depending on your preference. When the walnuts are done toasting, remove them from the oven and let them cool. Break them into pieces and add them to the mixture in the bowl. Add your dressing – mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, or yogurt – and the salad is ready.
Waldorf salad is usually served on a bed of lettuce. I used butter lettuce, but any type of lettuce will work.
Other holiday side dish ideas can be found in the five easy holiday sides post.
Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
- 3 small-medium gala apples
- 1 cup of red seedless grapes
- 1 cup celery sliced
- 1 cup chopped roasted walnuts
- 1/3 cup Miracle Whip dressing
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts for about five minutes in a 350-degree oven.
- When the walnuts are toasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool.
- Wash the fruit and celery and then start by chopping the apples into cubes.
- Put the apple cubes in the mixing bowl and add the lemon juice, stirring to coat the apple pieces.
- Slice the celery and add it to the bowl, followed by the grapes.
- Break the toasted walnuts into pieces and add them to the mixture in the bowl.
- Add your dressing – mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, or yogurt – and the salad is ready.
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