Description
This Best Classic Waldorf Salad is a refreshing and creamy fruit and nut salad featuring crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and toasted walnuts, all coated in a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing with a hint of honey and lemon. Served on a bed of crisp lettuce, it’s a perfect, easy-to-make holiday side or light meal that combines sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 crisp apples (such as Fuji or Granny Smith), chopped
- 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
- 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
- ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
- 2 cups chopped romaine or butter lettuce (optional, for serving)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, halved grapes, sliced celery, and toasted walnuts to prepare the base of your Waldorf salad.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey (if using), salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy, forming the signature dressing.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the fruit and nut mixture, then gently toss everything together to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill to Marinate: Cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill nicely before serving.
- Serve: Serve the salad on a bed of chopped romaine or butter lettuce if desired, or enjoy the Waldorf salad on its own as a refreshing dish.
Notes
- To prevent browning, toss chopped apples with a bit of lemon juice before mixing with other ingredients.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt or use a half mayo/half yogurt blend instead of full mayonnaise.
- Add diced cooked chicken for a more filling, heartier twist on the classic Waldorf salad.
