This Waldorf salad recipe is simple, refreshing, and delicious! A tangy, creamy dressing coats crisp apples, celery, walnuts, and grapes.
When was the last time you made a Waldorf salad? Up until recently, this classic fruit and nut salad wasn’t in my rotation, but this fall, I started making it on repeat.
A friend of a friend brought a Waldorf salad to a dinner party I attended, and I couldn’t resist going back for seconds…and then thirds. The combination of crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and walnuts was sweet, savory, and surprisingly refreshing. Halfway through my last helping, I was already looking forward to making my own version at home.
This Waldorf salad recipe is simple and delicious. It stays true to the spirit of the classic dish, but celery leaves, plenty of parsley, and a lemony Greek yogurt dressing make it even brighter and fresher. Toss in a few butter lettuce leaves and enjoy it as a light lunch, or serve it as a side dish with any meal. I hope you love this Waldorf salad recipe as much as I do!
Waldorf Salad Ingredients
The Waldorf salad gets its name from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. According to The New York Times, the hotel’s first maître d’hôtel, Oscar Tschirky, created it in 1893. The original recipe had just 3 ingredients: apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Over the years, other ingredients like grapes and walnuts have become standard add-ins.
Here’s what I use in mine:
- Apples – The best apples for this recipe are tart and firm. Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith apples are my favorites. I like to use one red and one green apple to give the salad a pretty mix of colors.
- Celery – You’ll use the leaves and the ribs!
- Grapes – For juicy texture and sweet flavor.
- Walnuts or pecans – They add nutty crunch. Toast them before adding them to the salad for a richer taste. I like to toast them in a 325°F oven for 8 to 12 minutes, or until fragrant. You could also toast them in a dry skillet on the stove.
- Parsley – For fresh flavor.
- And the creamy dressing – Read more about it in the callout below!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
My Greek Yogurt Waldorf Salad Dressing
The original Waldorf salad was simply dressed with mayonnaise. These days, a classic Waldorf salad will still have a mayo dressing.
Mine isn’t totally classic. I use a combination of Greek yogurt and mayo. The yogurt makes the dressing extra-creamy and tangy. It’s delicious!
I also add lemon juice for brightness and honey for sweetness. Salt and pepper make all the flavors pop!
How to Make a Waldorf Salad
You can find the complete Waldorf salad recipe with measurements at the bottom of this post. For now, here’s a step-by-step overview of how it goes:
Get the chopping out of the way first. Cut the apples into roughly 1/4 to 1/2-inch pieces, and halve the grapes. Thinly slice the celery stalks, reserving the leaves. Toast the nuts, and then chop them too. While you’re at it, finely chop the parsley.
Next, make the dressing. Whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Add the apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and parsley and stir to coat in the dressing. Season to taste.
Transfer the salad to a serving platter and garnish with more parsley and celery leaves.
Enjoy!
What to Serve with Waldorf Salad
This Waldorf salad recipe is a delicious side dish. Serve it alongside an egg salad or grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, or enjoy it for dinner with any simply cooked protein. This salad would even be great for Thanksgiving, as all the fresh ingredients are in season in the fall.
I also love this Waldorf salad in lettuce cups or over a bed of lettuce. With the greens added, it makes a great lunch on its own! Other possible add-ins are dried cranberries, raisins, sunflower seeds, spinach, arugula, or finely chopped broccoli. Have fun trying different variations!
How to Store
Store leftover Waldorf salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To make ahead:Â You can mix the apples, walnuts, etc. with the dressing several hours in advance. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Transfer to a serving platter and add the garnishes right before you eat.
More Classic Salad Recipes
If you love this recipe, try one of these classic salads next:
Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, chopped
- 2 cups thinly sliced celery, 3 to 4 ribs, plus celery leaves for garnish
- 1 cup grapes, halved
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
- â…” cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, and several grinds of pepper.
- Add the apples, celery, grapes, walnuts, and parsley and mix to combine.
- Season to taste and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with more parsley and celery leaves and serve.
