This classic Waldorf Salad recipe has fresh grapes, apples, celery, walnuts, and raisins in a creamy homemade dressing. We serve it over Boston Bib lettuce, and it’s an easy salad you can whip up in 10 minutes.
A Waldorf Salad that’s worth the hype.
A Waldorf Salad that’s worth the hype.There are a few recipes that will always remind me of my mom, and this easy Waldorf Salad recipe is one she made often. Waldorf salad has actually been around since the late 1800’s, when it was created at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in NY, and although there are many variations of it they all contain the typical Waldorf Salad ingredients: apples, grapes, celery, nuts, and a mayonnaise-based dressing.
It’s quick to make and serve with any main dish, like Marinated Flank Steak, Braised Short Ribs, Prime Rib, or Baked Salmon.
And don’t miss my other salad recipes, like Broccoli Salad, Cold Noodle Salad, or Orzo Salad.
How to make Waldorf Salad:
Prep Ingredients and Make Dressing: Toss the apples in lemon juice then add celery, grapes, raisins, and walnuts. Combine mayonnaise, sugar, red wine vinegar, and pepper in a smaller bowl. Taste and add more mayonnaise or vinegar to your liking.
Combine: Pour in some of the dressing and stir (you may not want to use all of it). Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy cold, on top of bib lettuce or a large lettuce leaf.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions:
To Make Ahead: prepare salad a few hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but it is best enjoyed the first day.
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Recipe
Waldorf Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 red apple (honey crisp, gala or red delicious), unpeeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 green apple (golden delicious), unpeeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 rib celery , sliced
- 1 cup red seedless grapes , halved
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/3 cup walnut halves
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (or half Greek yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- freshly ground black pepper , to taste
- Boston Bib lettuce , or romaine lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Salad: In a large bowl, toss the apples in lemon juice. Add celery, grapes, raisins and walnuts.
- Dressing: In a separate bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sugar, red wine vinegar and pepper. Taste and adjust to your liking with a little extra mayonnaise or more vinegar.
- Combine: Coat apple mixture in desired amount of dressing (you may not want to use it all).
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve cold, on top of bib lettuce or large lettuce leaf.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe December 2016. Updated March 2020 and May 2022 and December 2024.
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In the ingredient list, you left out how much lemon juice.
I made a double batch of this for a funeral luncheon and it was delicious! None left! Now I need to make it for us.
I tried to import the recipe into Mastercook but since it was TEXT, I had to edit and re-write all the ingredients. Mastercook calculates the nutrition, etc. from the ingredients. I also could not cut and paste the notes at the bottom for variations. Not a big deal, but it will deter me from importing very many.
Made it just like the recipe says then added some chicken. It was great! Definitely going to replace my chicken salad with this!
Love salads keep it coming, and make it international
I would like to make this recipe but would have no other use for red wine vinegar. Is there a substitute for this vinegar
Yes, pretty much any kind of vinegar would work! Balsamic, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar would make good substitutes.
I love this salad! Growing up, it was always served at every Christmas and Easter dinner. And as it happens, I have all of these ingredients in my refrigerator, so I think I’ll be enjoying Waldorf Salad for dinner tonight! Thank you for the idea.
I understand that walnuts are imperitive but can other nuts be substituted in a pinch? ( such as almonds )
Yes, definitely. Enjoy!
I’m confused. Is this recipe calling for 2 apples? One red apple of choice and one green apple of choice or is it calling for 1 each of all those different types of apples? This scenario would be calling for 5 apples. Thanks for clarifying.
1 red apple and 1 green apple. Enjoy!
Wonderful recipe!
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