Classic Waldorf Salad

Classic Waldorf salad is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a satisfying crunch in every bite.

It’s a delightful mix of crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and toasted nuts, all brought together with a creamy, tangy dressing. 

This iconic dish dates back to the late 19th century when it was first created at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. And luckily, it’s just as popular (and delicious) today!

Why You’ll Love This Classic Waldorf Salad

Textural Delight: It’s crunchy, crisp, creamy, and to die for. 

Visually Appealing: With its vibrant mix of red, green, and purple ingredients, classic Waldorf salad looks as good as it tastes.

Easy Entertaining: This salad is a crowd-pleaser and can be easily scaled up or down to feed a large group or a small gathering. So it’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings.

Versatile Variations: The basic recipe is perfect as is, but you can always tweak it to your liking. 

Ingredients

• Apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples to add balanced flavor and crisp texture.

• Seedless Grapes: Halved red (or green) grapes introduce a burst of juicy sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

• Celery: Provides a refreshing crunch.

• Toasted Walnuts or Pecans: Adds a nutty, crunchy element, enriching the salad with a delightful texture and depth.

• Dressing: A creamy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. This dressing ties all the ingredients together with a smooth, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor.

• Lettuce Leaves for Serving (Optional): Provides a fresh, crisp base for serving the salad, adding an extra layer of texture and presentation.

How to Make Classic Waldorf Salad

This salad is ideal for a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a fancy starter for your next dinner party. 

And whether you serve it on a bed of lettuce or enjoy it straight from the bowl, Waldorf salad is sure to impress.

Better yet, it’s ready in minutes! 

1. WHISK the dressing ingredients in a large bowl.

2. ADD the rest of the salad ingredients and toss until well-coated.

3. COVER and chill for about an hour so the flavors can meld. Mix again, then serve and enjoy!

Tips For the Best Classic Waldorf Salad

If you haven’t tried making a Waldorf salad before, I highly recommend giving it a go. It’s super easy, and with these tips, it’ll be flawless!

• Apple selection. Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a balanced flavor. I usually go with Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.

• Toast the nuts. Arrange the nuts on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Cool fully before using in the salad.

• Lighter dressing. For a healthier salad, use mostly Greek yogurt in the dressing and a smaller amount of mayonnaise to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.

• Optional add-ins. Customize your salad with mix-ins like dried cranberries, raisins, diced pears, diced red onion, diced chicken breast, or fresh herbs like parsley.

What to Serve with Waldorf Salad

Waldorf salad is delicious served over a bed of crisp lettuce leaves, such as Bibb, butter, or Romaine.

But that’s not all! Here are my top choices:

• Blackened chicken
• Burgers
• Grilled cheese
• Glazed ham
• Juicy pork chops

How to Store

Waldorf salad is loaded with creamy dressing and fresh, crisp apples. As tasty as it is, that means it won’t freeze well.

But luckily, you can make it ahead and keep it in the fridge for a few hours before serving. 

To Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best results, consume within 1-2 days as the apples may start to brown, and the grapes will soften over time. 

If possible, store the dressing separately and mix it with the salad just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and crunch.

More Incredible Salads You Need to Try

Avocado Corn Salad
Vietnamese Chicken Salad
Tortellini Caprese Salad
Grilled Peach Salad