This Classic Waldorf Salad is a timeless combination of crisp apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts, all tossed in a creamy, slightly sweet dressing. I love how this salad is both refreshing and satisfying, with a delightful mix of textures and flavors. It’s perfect as a side dish, a light lunch, or a potluck contribution, and it’s a great way to enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients. Get ready for a salad that’s both simple to make and incredibly delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Waldorf Salad
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of crisp apples, celery, juicy grapes, and crunchy walnuts creates a refreshing and satisfying salad.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Classic Recipe: A timeless salad that’s perfect for any occasion.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Ingredients for Waldorf Salad
Here’s what you’ll need to make this classic salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Apples, cored and diced (I used 2 Granny Smith, 2 Gala) (Fruit)
- Celery, chopped (Vegetable)
- Red Grapes, halved (Fruit)
- Green Grapes, halved (Fruit)
- Dried Cranberries (Fruit)
- Walnuts (Nuts)
- Vanilla Yogurt
Seasoning
- Lemon Juice
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Waldorf Salad as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Apples: Use any combination of sweet and tart apples, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady.
- Add More Fruit: Toss in some chopped pears, oranges, or pineapple.
- Different Nuts: Use pecans, almonds, or a mix of nuts instead of walnuts.
- Add Cheese: Crumble some blue cheese or feta cheese over the salad.
- Make it a Meal: Add some cooked and shredded chicken or turkey for extra protein.
- Use Mayo
How to Make Waldorf Salad
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Classic Waldorf Salad:
Prepare Ingredients
- I add fresh fruits (cored and diced apples, halved red and green grapes) and chopped celery to large bowl.
- Add lemon juice
Combine and Chill
- I add the dried cranberries and walnuts.
- Add vanilla yogurt.
- I refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Waldorf Salad
Here are my secrets for making this salad truly exceptional:
- Use a Variety of Apples: Using a mix of sweet and tart apples creates a more complex flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens up the flavors and prevents the apples from browning.
- Toast the Walnuts (Optional): Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and adds extra crunch.
- Chill Before Serving: Chilling the salad for at least 2 hours allows the flavors to meld together.
How to Serve
This Waldorf Salad is perfect for:
- Side Dish: A refreshing side dish for lunch or dinner.
- Potlucks and Picnics: Easy to transport and serve at potlucks and picnics.
- Light Meal: Enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner.
- Holiday Meals: A classic addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
This salad is best made ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQs about Waldorf Salad
- Can I use a different type of fruit?
- Yes, you can add or substitute other fruits, such as pears, oranges, or pineapple.
- Can I make this without the nuts?
- Yes, you can omit the walnuts if you prefer.
- Can I use a different type of dressing?
- Yes, you can.
Enjoy this fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make Classic Waldorf Salad! It’s a perfect side dish or light meal for any occasion.
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Classic Waldorf Salad
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Waldorf Salad is a refreshing and flavorful combination of crisp apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts, all tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt dressing. It’s a perfect side dish or light meal.
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples (about 2 pounds), cored and diced (see notes for variety suggestions)
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1–2 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 12 ounces vanilla yogurt (see notes)
Instructions
- Prepare Fruit and Celery: Core and dice the apples. Chop the celery. Halve the red and green grapes.
- Combine Fruit, Celery, and Lemon Juice: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, chopped celery, halved red grapes, and halved green grapes. Pour the lemon juice over the fruit and celery mixture and toss gently to coat. The lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the dried cranberries, roughly chopped walnuts, and vanilla yogurt to the bowl.
- Mix Well: Stir all the ingredients together until they are evenly combined and coated with the yogurt.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve
Notes
- Apples: A mix of tart and sweet apples works well in this salad. The recipe suggests using 2 Granny Smith apples (tart) and 2 Gala apples (sweet), but you can use any combination of your favorite apples. Other good choices include Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady.
- Grapes: You can use all red grapes, all green grapes, or a mix of both.
- Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts before adding them to the salad enhances their flavor. To toast walnuts, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant. You can also toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Yogurt: Vanilla yogurt is used in this recipe, but you can substitute plain yogurt and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can also use Greek yogurt for a thicker, tangier salad. If using Greek yogurt, you may want to thin it out with a little milk or cream.
- Dried Cranberries: You can substitute other dried fruits, such as raisins or dried cherries.
- Make-Ahead: This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Serving Suggestions: This Waldorf salad is a classic side dish, but it can also be served as a light lunch or snack. It’s great for potlucks, picnics, and holiday gatherings.
- Variations: Add some proteins.