There’s a motive why this Waldorf salad belongs on each vacation dinner desk. It’s a symphony of crisp apples, celery, grapes, and crunchy walnuts, tossed in a tangy-sweet, creamy dressing that provides the right refreshing contact.

Technically, a Waldorf salad is usually a year-round salad with how easy and refreshing it’s (like my final rooster salad). But many people maintain this salad close to and expensive to our hearts for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Why? Well, it brings again a way of childhood nostalgia, and it’s a scrumptious method so as to add contemporary, seasonal fruits and nuts to a vacation desk.

There’s a traditional solution to make this salad (which I’ll discuss beneath), however the newer model is even higher, with further grapes, toasted nuts, and contemporary herbs, with a contact of lemon and honey to the dressing.

This salad is the right complement to a vacation turkey, honey baked ham, beef tenderloin, or prime rib in each method!

Waldorf Salad Ingredients

Created within the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York (through the 1800’s), the unique recipe was made up of solely apples, celery, and mayo. This easy combo lived on for fairly a while. But as common, diversifications are made as time goes on.

Here’s the breakdown of what’s on this Waldorf salad recipe.

• Greek Yogurt: Any Greek yogurt will work, whether or not it’s dairy or dairy-free.
• Mayonnaise: There’s sometimes mayonnaise on this salad. But if you happen to’re not a fan, you’ll be able to sub it with extra Greek yogurt.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is most popular!
• Apple: While you should use both crimson or inexperienced apples, I favor inexperienced apples for an excellent crisp and tart chew.
• Honey: Just one tablespoon is required to provide the dressing a touch of additional sweetness.
• Grapes: You can use any colour of grapes. I like crimson grapes for a pleasant distinction with the inexperienced. But select inexperienced grapes if you need a stylishly monochromatic salad.
• Celery: A couple of ribs of celery add to the contemporary, crisp texture of the salad.
• Nuts: I’m utilizing walnuts at present, however each walnuts and pecans are nice – select your favourite!
• Herbs: Just a little chopped parsley offers it a contemporary contact.

Find the printable recipe with measurements beneath.

How To Make The Best Waldorf Salad Recipe

Like any salad, many of the work comes from prepping every ingredient. My professional tip is to toast your walnuts first for only a few minutes on the stovetop. Then they’ll have time to completely cool whilst you make the dressing and chop all the pieces else up – the apples, grapes, walnuts, and parsley.

It actually is an excellent easy salad to make. Just observe the steps beneath!

• Toast the nuts. You can toast them in a small pan on the range or within the oven, till they’re evenly golden and odor superb.
• Make the dressing. In a small bowl, stir collectively the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and honey. Set apart.
• Chop up the substances. Dice the apples and celery, slice the grapes in half, chop the cooled nuts, and finely chop the parsley.
• Toss all of it collectively. In a big bowl, add the inexperienced apples, celery, grapes, walnuts, parsley, salt, and mayo dressing. Stir all of it collectively till all the pieces is evenly coated.

A be aware on serving: You can serve this salad as-is on a plate, or you’ll be able to serve it on high of romaine, bibb, or butter lettuce leaves.

Customize Your Waldorf Salad

• Add dried fruits. The alternative is yours right here – add dried cranberries, raisins, apricots, dates, and so on. Just be certain to slice them into smaller items in the event that they’re on the larger aspect.
• Switch up the contemporary fruits. Apples are a should, however you’ll be able to combine in diced pears as a substitute of grapes.
• Switch up the nuts. Instead of walnuts, you should use pecans, almonds, and even pistachios!
• Pack in some protein. When I need to make this salad extra of a meal, I add diced baked rooster or shredded rooster. And if you happen to’ve acquired turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving, flip this right into a turkey Waldorf salad. It’ll style so good!

Storage Tips

• To Store: This salad tastes finest contemporary. But when you’ve got leftovers, retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for two to three days.
• Make-Ahead Tips: For most freshness, I’d stick to creating this 3 to 4 hours upfront. Then preserve it chilled within the fridge till you’re able to serve. But, you’ll be able to cube up the fruits (besides apples), herbs, and toasted nuts beforehand and retailer in a separate container.

Waldorf Salad Recipe Video

Although that is salad is fairly easy, it by no means hurts to have a visible tutorial! Watch how this comes collectively within the video beneath.

More Holiday Salad Recipes

Amongst all the nice and cozy and savory aspect dishes, a refreshing, vacation salad is all the time welcome. This Waldorf salad is nice for a fruit-forward choice. But if you happen to’re wanting so as to add extra seasonal veggies, you’ll be able to’t go flawed with any of those choices.

Be forewarned, this Waldorf salad is fairly addicting. And if you happen to’ve acquired greater than 5 folks at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner – double the recipe. Let me understand how everybody loved it in a remark beneath!

Classic Waldorf Salad

This Waldorf salad belongs on each vacation dinner desk! It’s a symphony of apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts, tossed in a tangy-sweet, creamy dressing. Watch the video above to see how I make it!

• Make dressing. In a small bowl, stir collectively the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and honey. Set apart.

• Toss all of it collectively. In a big bowl, add the inexperienced apples, celery, grapes, walnuts, parsley, salt, and mayo dressing. Stir all of it collectively till all the pieces is evenly coated.

• Make positive that the toasted nuts have absolutely cooled earlier than you add them to the salad. Otherwise they’ll soften the yogurt-based dressing. 
• You can use any tart and crisp apple on this recipe, I simply favor Granny Smith’s. 

Calories: 341kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 363mg, Potassium: 401mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 367IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 66mg, Iron: 1mg

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