Waldorf Salad Recipe - A Light and Crispy Salad or Side Dish (2024)

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My family has made this Waldorf salad recipe for as long as I can remember.

It is a family tradition, that still stands today, that we would prepare this recipe as part of our Thanksgiving menu. And I can remember making this at least once during the summer months as our contribution for group picnic.

Waldorf Salad Recipe - A Light and Crispy Salad or Side Dish (1)

Classic Waldorf Salad served over a bed of lettuce.

Growing up I would always help my mother in the kitchen. I was the master at peeling potatoes. But when it came to Waldorf salad it was my job to cut each grape in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.

Yes, the grapes back then all had seeds. And looking back, my job would have been a lot better if seedless grapes were available.

I used a small appetizer spoon to scoop the seeds out of each and every grape. I was very careful, inspecting every grape half to be sure that I didn’t miss any.

My biggest fear was that someone would bite into a seed and/or end up choking on one and it be my fault.

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Before seedless grapes were readily available it was my job to remove the seeds.

But to be honest, by the end of the chore, I was a little less careful about removing every little seed. This was a very tedious task and as a young girl the novelty of helping in the kitchen quickly wore off.

The History of Waldorf Salad Recipe

When I got older and began making my own Waldorf Salad recipe, I began to question the name of this popular dish.

I knew that we typically used apples, celery, grapes, raisins and walnuts to make up the salad and then tossed it in a layer of mayonnaise.

However, I couldn’t figure out where the name Waldorf came from.

So I did a little investigation and found out that this recipe originated in the famous Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York. This recipe dates back to the 1890’s and originally consisted of only apples, celery and mayonnaise.

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Use at least two different varieties of apples in your salad for the best flavor.

Since then, there have been several variations, but each one is still considered a Waldorf salad recipe.

The recipe posted below includes the ingredients that we use in our salad. But others have substituted grapefruit, pears, pine nuts, dates, dried cherries, dried cranberries and more to make it the way their family would like it.

To make things a little healthier, I now substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, or at least a portion of it. And if I am feeling real adventurous I will add in a little Cajun seasoning.

Typically, Waldorf salad would be served on a bed of lettuce. However, we have always served it as more of a side dish.

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The dressing is made of mayonnaise and/or Greek Yogurt.

Whatever you choose to add to your Waldorf salad recipe and whether you eat it as a salad or side dish, I am sure that you and your family will enjoy it just as much as we do.

Check out some of our other Favorite Side Dishes

**a printable recipe is available at the bottom of this article

Waldorf Salad Recipe

Crispy apples, crunchy celery and walnuts and grapes tossed in a creamy dressing that makes for the perfect salad or side dish for any occasion.

INGREDIENTS:

2 medium Red Delicious apples, chopped

2 medium Golden Delicious apples, chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 cup red grapes, cut in half lengthwise

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup raisins

1 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Waldorf Salad Recipe - A Light and Crispy Salad or Side Dish (5)

I prefer to eat this Waldorf Salad recipe as a side dish.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice.

2. In a small bowl mix together the mayonnaise/Greek yogurt and cinnamon.

3. Add the celery, walnuts, raisins with the apples and gently stir in mayonnaise/Greek yogurt and cinnamon dressing.

Refrigerate until serving.

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

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Waldorf Salad Recipe

Waldorf Salad Recipe - A Light and Crispy Salad or Side Dish (6)

Crispy apples, crunchy celery and walnuts and grapes tossed in a creamy dressing that makes for the perfect side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium Red Delicious apples, chopped
  • 2 medium Golden Delicious apples, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 cup red grapes, cut in half lengthwise
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice.
  2. In a small bowl mix together the mayonnaise/Greek yogurt and cinnamon.
  3. Add the celery, walnuts, raisins with the apples and gently stir in mayonnaise/Greek yogurt and cinnamon dressing.
  4. Refrigerate until serving.

Notes

Recipe courtesy of Old World Garden Farms

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Waldorf Salad Recipe - A Light and Crispy Salad or Side Dish (2024)

FAQs

What does a Waldorf salad contain? ›

A Waldorf salad is a fruit and nut salad generally made of celery, fresh apples, walnuts, and grapes, dressed in mayonnaise, and traditionally served on a bed of lettuce as an appetizer or a light meal. The apples, celery, and grapes can all be green, which harmonizes the color palette of the dish.

Which of the fruits mentioned below is used for Waldorf salad? ›

Healthy Waldorf Salad – This classic salad of apples, grapes, walnuts, and celery is given a healthy makeover with the substitution of mayo with Greek yogurt.

How did Waldorf salad get its name? ›

The Waldorf salad, originally a simple apple-celery-mayo combo, was introduced on March 14, 1893, at a charity ball honoring St. Mary's Hospital for Children. Its debut coincided with that of the Waldorf hotel, which opened the previous day. The charity ball was the very first event held at the hotel.

What is the main ingredient which forms the foundation of the Waldorf salad? ›

The original recipe consisted only of diced red-skinned apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Chopped walnuts were added later to this now American classic.

What is a common ingredient in most bound salads? ›

Bound salads are probably not the healthiest option in the land of salads, but they are so delicious! The reason they are a less-healthy option is that the binding agents are typically mayonnaise-based. Some of the most popular bound salads are egg and tuna.

What is the fancy name for fruit salad? ›

A fruit salad is sometimes known as a fruit cocktail (often connoting a canned product), or fruit cup (when served in a small container). There are many types of fruit salad, ranging from the basic (no nuts, marshmallows, or dressing) to the moderately sweet (Waldorf salad) to the sweet (ambrosia salad).

What fruit is eaten raw in salads? ›

The bright, savory salads showcased here feature peak-of-season summer fruits basking in all their raw, juicy deliciousness. Melons, berries, mangos, figs, and stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, and cherries combine with other fresh, seasonal produce to create vibrant medleys of texture and flavor.

Why is Waldorf called Waldorf? ›

Waldorf school, school based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian educator and the formulator of anthroposophy. Steiner's first school opened in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany, for the children of the Waldorf-Astoria Company's employees; his schools thereafter became known as “Waldorf” schools.

What is the meaning of a Waldorf salad? ›

Wal·​dorf salad ˌwȯl-ˌdȯrf- : a salad usually containing apples, celery, nuts, and mayonnaise. Etymology. named for the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

What are 5 components of a satisfying salad? ›

There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing.

What salad is made of apples celery and walnuts? ›

Waldorf Salad Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this restaurant-worthy Waldorf salad recipe at home: For the dressing: mayonnaise, white sugar, lemon juice, and salt. For the salad: apples, celery, walnuts, and (optional) raisins.

What is the most expensive salad? ›

McCarthy Salad at The Beverly Hills Hotel: $1,912

Leave it to a hotel in Los Angeles to charge nearly $2,000 for a salad. All jokes aside, this is actually the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel's signature salad — and it usually costs around $45.

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