Classic Waldorf salad
Crisp, creamy Waldorf salad with apples, grapes, celery and toasted walnuts in a light honey-lemon yogurt dressing. Ready in 20 minutes.
75% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 15 min
- Cooking
- 5 min
- Serves
- 6
- Calories
- 275
- Protein
- 4 g
- Per serving
- $1.40
Why this recipe works
The Waldorf salad dates back to New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel in the 1890s and is still a fixture on holiday tables. It's crunchy, sweet and creamy, and goes well with roast turkey or ham, or as a light lunch on lettuce.
- Half Greek yogurt and half mayonnaise makes a dressing that's creamy but lighter and tangier than the all-mayo original.
- Tossing the apples in lemon juice right after chopping stops them browning, so the salad still looks fresh hours later.
- Toasting the walnuts brings out their flavor and keeps them crunchy against the soft dressing.
Ingredients
For the dressing
To serve
You will need
- Small skillet
- Large mixing bowl
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Toast the walnuts
Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant and a shade darker, 4 to 5 minutes. Tip onto a plate to cool.
Chop the fruit
Dice the apples into ½-inch pieces, leaving the skin on, and toss them right away in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Add the grapes and celery.
Make the dressing
Whisk the mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, lemon juice and salt together and season with pepper.
Toss and serve
Fold the dressing into the fruit until everything is coated, then fold in most of the walnuts. Serve on lettuce leaves with the rest of the walnuts on top, or chill up to 4 hours first.
Cook's notes
- Mix sweet red apples with one tart green apple for color and a balance of sweet and sharp.
- Add the walnuts just before serving if you're making it ahead, so they stay crisp.
- Turn it into a main-dish lunch by folding in 2 cups of diced cooked chicken.
Nutrition per serving
275 calories
$1.40 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 5% of calories | 4 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 33% of calories | 24 g |
| Fat | 62% of calories | 20 g |
| Fiber | 3 g | |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
What is in a classic Waldorf salad?
The original was just apples, celery and mayonnaise. Walnuts were added soon after, and grapes are a common modern addition.
How long does Waldorf salad last?
It's best within a day. Covered in the fridge it keeps up to 2 days, though the apples soften and release some liquid; stir before serving.
Can I make Waldorf salad with chicken?
Yes. Fold in 2 cups of diced cooked or rotisserie chicken and add a little extra dressing to make it a main dish.
