Waldorf Salad
The Waldorf Salad is a classic, refreshing salad that perfectly balances the crispness of fresh apples and celery with the creaminess of a mayonnaise-based dressing. Enhanced with toasted walnuts and a touch of lemon juice, this light yet indulgent dish offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, making it an ideal side dish or light lunch that’s easy to prepare and customizable for various dietary needs.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required (toasting walnuts on stovetop)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Fruits and Vegetables
- 2 crisp apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and diced
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup raisins or 1 cup halved grapes (optional)
Nuts
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash and dry the apples and celery. Core and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces, leaving the skin on. Slice the celery thinly. Rinse the grapes or raisins, and if using grapes, halve them.
- Toast the Walnuts: Spread walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently until golden and aromatic, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Mix the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, plain yogurt, and fresh lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine All Ingredients: Gently fold the apples, celery, toasted walnuts, and optional fruit into the dressing. Toss lightly to coat, avoiding overmixing to keep the crunch.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and enhance freshness.
Notes
- Choose firm, crisp apples to avoid a soggy salad.
- Toast walnuts carefully to prevent burning.
- Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter dressing.
- Chop all ingredients uniformly for balanced texture.
- Serve chilled to maximize flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Waldorf Salad, apple salad, creamy fruit salad, classic salad, easy salad, gluten-free salad