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    Home » Recipes » Salads » Easy Waldorf Salad recipe

    PUBLISHED: June 29, 2021 • By Toni Dash 16 Comments

    Easy Waldorf Salad recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    waldorf salad title

    No need to travel to enjoy this classic recipe from the Waldorf Hotel. This easy Waldorf Salad is a refreshing fruit salad with just a handful of wholesome ingredients you’ll love.

    waldorf salad title

    This refreshing classic salad recipe is full of simple ingredients, crunchy texture and satisfying flavors.

    It can be made at any time of the year and is perfect for a light meal in the summer or a side dish for a holiday meal.

    With loads of ways to change up the original recipe you’ll never run out of great ways to make this favorite salad recipe!

    Jump to:
    • Why is it called Waldorf Salad?
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • Variations
    • How to Make Waldorf Salad
    • How to store leftovers
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    Why is it called Waldorf Salad?

    This fruit and nut salad is named for the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was originally created in March of 1896 for a charity ball honoring St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.

    The hotel’s Maitre d’Hotel at the time, Swiss immigrant Oscar Tschirky, is credited with the original recipe. He’s said to have personally developed, or inspired, many of the iconic hotel’s well known dishes.

    The original Waldorf Salad recipe appeared in ‘The Cook Book‘ penned by ‘Oscar of the Waldorf’ in 1896.

    Tschirky’s original salad recipe only contained apples, mayonnaise and celery. It was iterated to include the nuts when the recipe was featured in 1928 in ‘The Rector Cook Book‘. And the rest is history.

    This classic version remains a favorite today!

    The elegant Waldorf-Astoria hotel closed for renovation in 2017 but you can make this delicious refreshing salad at home any time!

    waldorf salad overhead

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    Apples. Granny Smith apples are a perfect choice for this salad. Granny Smiths are tart and crisp with beautifully color. No peeling of the apples required.

    Celery. You’ll need two stalks rinsed with ends trimmed then chopped.

    Mayonnaise. Typically full fat mayonnaise is used. Feel free to experiment with lighter mayonnaise for a slimmed down version.

    Walnuts. One half cut walnuts chopped are used. You can use pre-chopped crunchy walnuts for a timesaving short cut too.

    Grapes. White juicy grapes are halved for traditional salad. Make sure they are seedless.

    Lemon juice. The apples will be tossed with the lemon juice both for flavor and to stop browning of the cut fruit.

    Iceberg lettuce. Cool and crisp iceberg lettuce makes a bed of greens to place the Waldorf Salad on. If desired the lettuce can be torn or chopped instead.

    Salt and black pepper. The only seasoning needed in this classic recipe.

    waldorf salad ingredients image

    Variations

    For those who love a base recipe that can be changed up depending on your mood or what you have on hand, Waldorf Salad is perfect for that!

    Toss the apples with orange juice. Instead of using lemon juice, toss the cut apples in freshly squeezed orange juice. It will keep them from browning and add some orange flavor.

    Toast the nuts. Instead of adding raw nuts to the salad, toast them in a dry skillet first. Allow them to cool before adding the salad ingredients. Toasting adds a warm rich flavor.

    Use pecans instead of walnuts. Walnuts are traditionally used but pecans are delicious too.

    Add some dried fruit. Raisins, dried cranberries (sweetened) or chopped dates are a great addition.

    Sweeten the mayonnaise. For a sweeter creamy dressing mix a little bit of honey into the mayonnaise before assembling the salad.

    Add some orange zest or lemon zest. For a brighter citrus flavor!

    Substitute yogurt for the mayonnaise. If preferred make a yogurt swap. We recommend Greek yogurt which is thicker and richer.

    Add some lean meat. Chopped or shredded chicken or turkey goes great in this salad and adds some protein. It’s a great use for leftover chicken breast or rotisserie chicken.

    Blue cheese. Blue cheese became a popular spin on the classic salad recipe and adds a great pop of flavor that works well with the other ingredients.

    Serving it for a holiday meal? Make the classic Waldorf salad with red and green apples. It’s a perfect side dish for Christmas dinners.

    waldorf salad overhead side view

    How to Make Waldorf Salad

    Toss the apples in the lemon juice.

    In a large bowl combine the crisp apples, celery, walnuts and grapes with the mayonnaise. Toss to combine.

    waldorf salad ingredients
    mixing waldorf salad

    Divide the lettuce between the serving plates and mound the salad on the bed of lettuce.

    waldorf salad overhead close up

    How to store leftovers

    Leftover salad can be stores in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    More recipes you’ll love!

    • Spicy Apple Crisp with Cranberries and Walnuts
    • Chicken Salad
    • Mexican Lettuce Wraps (no cook recipe)
    • Carrot Cake Cookies
    • Three Bean Salad recipe
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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    Recipe

    waldorf salad square

    Waldorf Salad

    This classic crunchy, cream fruit salad from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel is as famous today as when it was first created. Simple ingredients combine for a delicious refreshing salad with tons of options to change it up (included).
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 2 main dish salads
    Calories: 744kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 green apples rinsed, cored and chopped
    • Juice of one lemon
    • 2 stalks celery chopped
    • 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
    • 1 cup white seedless grapes halved
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • ½ head iceberg lettuce rinsed and patted dry with paper towels

    Instructions

    • Toss the apples with the lemon juice.
    • Remove the apples from the bowl with the lemon juice with a slotted spoon. Place in a In a large bowl.
    • Add the celery, walnuts, grapes and mayonniase. Toss to coat.
      Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Divide the lettuce between two serving plates or bowl. Add half of the salad mixture to each plate on top of the lettuce.
    • Keep leftover in the fridge for up to three days.

    Notes

    Variations
    Toss the apples with orange juice. Instead of using lemon juice, toss the cut apples in freshly squeezed orange juice. It will keep them from browning and add some orange flavor.
    Toast the nuts. Instead of adding raw nuts to the salad, toast them in a dry skillet first. Allow them to cool before adding the salad ingredients. Toasting adds a warm rich flavor.
    Use pecans instead of walnuts. Walnuts are traditionally used but pecans are delicious too.
    Add some dried fruit. Raisins, dried cranberries (sweetened) or chopped dates are a great addition.
    Sweeten the mayonnaise. For a sweeter creamy dressing mix a little bit of honey into the mayonnaise before assembling the salad.
    Add some orange zest or lemon zest. For a brighter citrus flavor!
    Substitute yogurt for the mayonnaise. If preferred make a yogurt swap. We recommend Greek yogurt which is thicker and richer.
    Add some lean meat. Chopped or shredded chicken or turkey goes great in this salad and adds some protein. It’s a great use for leftover chicken breast or rotisserie chicken.
    Blue cheese. Blue cheese became a popular spin on the classic salad recipe and adds a great pop of flavor that works well with the other ingredients.
    Serving it for a holiday meal? Make the classic Waldorf salad with red and green apples. It’s a perfect side dish for Christmas dinners.
    Storing Leftovers
    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 744kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 39g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 405mg | Potassium: 773mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 1046IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandra says

      June 30, 2021 at 3:01 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious and flavorful salad!! I love it!

      Reply
    2. Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says

      June 30, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      This Waldorf Salad was absolutely amazing! Everyone loved it!! SO GOOD!

      Reply
    3. katerina says

      June 30, 2021 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      This is hands down my favorite salad!! I can’t wait to try this!! YUM!

      Reply
    4. Erin says

      June 30, 2021 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      This Waldorf Salad needs to be added to our weeknight dinner rotation! My family loves it!

      Reply
    5. Catalina says

      June 30, 2021 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      This salad has all the ingredients I love and so many different textures! Love it!

      Reply
    6. Erik says

      June 29, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      What a perfect summer salad. So refreshing!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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