Description
Waldorff Salad is a classic, refreshing, crisp, and creamy salad that perfectly balances sweet and nutty flavors. Combining juicy apples, crunchy celery, toasted walnuts, and bursts of sweetness from raisins or grapes, all dressed in a luscious mayonnaise or Greek yogurt-based dressing with lemon juice and honey, this easy-to-make dish works wonderfully as a side or a light meal. Ready in under 20 minutes, it brings fresh vibrant flavors to any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables
- 2 medium crisp apples (such as Granny Smith or Fuji), cored and diced
- 2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins or 3/4 cup halved grapes
Nuts
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (use Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruits and Vegetables: Wash and dry the apples and celery. Core and dice the apples into bite-sized cubes. Finely chop the celery to maintain some crunch without overpowering the apples. Immediately toss the diced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Toast the Walnuts: Lightly toast the walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often until fragrant to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise or Greek yogurt with honey, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until smooth and balanced, adjusting sweetness or tanginess with additional honey or lemon juice if desired.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine diced apples, chopped celery, toasted walnuts, and raisins or grapes. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated, taking care not to crush the ingredients.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or whole walnuts if desired, then serve chilled.
Notes
- Use firm, crisp apples to keep the salad crunchy and fresh.
- Toast the walnuts to enhance nuttiness and add a warm aroma.
- Taste and balance the dressing before tossing for optimal flavor.
- Prepare the salad ahead of time but add nuts just before serving to maintain crunch.
- Use lemon juice generously to prevent apple discoloration and add brightness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: Waldorff Salad, apple salad, creamy salad, walnut salad, easy side dish, light meal, gluten free