If you’ve ever wanted a salad that feels both nostalgic and fresh, the Waldorf Salad Recipe is your perfect go-to. This timeless dish brings together crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and the irresistible sweetness of candied walnuts, all tossed in a luscious honey-mayo dressing. It’s a celebration of textures and flavors that makes every bite delightfully satisfying, whether you’re serving it as a light lunch or a vibrant side at your next gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Waldorf Salad Recipe is delightfully simple, and each one plays a critical role in balancing the flavors and textures. From the creamy dressing to the fresh fruit and crunchy nuts, every bite is a harmony of taste and color that makes this salad truly shine.
- Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base for the dressing, giving the salad a rich, smooth texture.
- Honey: Adds just the right touch of natural sweetness to balance the tart lemon and crisp apples.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the dressing and keeps the apples from browning, maintaining the salad’s vibrant look.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering them.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Introduces a subtle hint of spice, perfect for depth in the dressing.
- Apples: Crisp and juicy, they’re the star ingredient offering a refreshing crunch and natural sweetness.
- Red grapes: Bursting with flavor and juiciness, they lend a lovely pop and color contrast.
- Celery: Thinly sliced celery adds that classic, clean crunch essential to a true Waldorf.
- Candied walnuts: Sweet, crunchy, and aromatic, these nuts bring a delightful texture and sweetness that makes the salad unforgettable.
- Mixed greens: Used as a bed for serving, they add freshness and a touch of earthiness to the dish.
How to Make Waldorf Salad Recipe
Step 1: Whisk the Dressing
Begin by combining the mayonnaise, honey, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk these ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and perfectly balanced between creamy and tangy. This step ensures your dressing will coat the ingredients evenly without overwhelming their natural flavors.
Step 2: Toss the Fresh Ingredients
In a large bowl, add your chopped apples, halved grapes, thinly sliced celery, and candied walnuts. Give them a gentle toss so all the crunchy and juicy elements mingle beautifully. This layering of textures is what makes the Waldorf Salad Recipe stand out as a dish full of life and interest right from the first bite.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
Pour the dressing over the combined fruits and nuts, then toss gently until everything is well coated. This step brings all the flavors together in harmony. Once tossed, plate the salad over a bed of fresh mixed greens and garnish with a few extra candied walnuts for that final burst of sweetness and crunch.
How to Serve Waldorf Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Extra candied walnuts sprinkled on top add a delightful crunch and sweetness, making each serving feel special. For a bit of visual appeal, you might also consider adding a few thin slices of apple or a light dusting of freshly ground black pepper. This simple touch enhances both the look and flavor of your salad.
Side Dishes
The Waldorf Salad Recipe pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. It’s a refreshing contrast alongside roasted chicken or grilled fish, but it can also stand alone as a light lunch or picnic dish. Consider serving it next to a hearty quiche, crusty bread, or even a creamy soup for a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not think beyond the bowl? Serve the salad in crisp endive leaves for bite-sized appetizers or use it as a topping for crostini to add a fresh flavor element. Layering it in a glass parfait style with alternating greens and fruit can also make a stunning presentation that’s perfect for entertaining guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Waldorf Salad Recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the apples and celery may soften after a day or two, so aim to consume the salad within 24 hours for the best crispness and flavor.
Freezing
Because of the fresh fruits and mayonnaise-based dressing, freezing this salad is not recommended. The texture of the apples, grapes, and celery will degrade, and the dressing may separate upon thawing, resulting in a less appealing dish.
Reheating
This Waldorf Salad Recipe is served cold, so reheating is unnecessary and would alter the fresh, crisp textures we love. Simply give any leftovers a gentle stir before serving cold to redistribute the dressing if needed.
FAQs
Can I substitute the mayonnaise with a lighter dressing?
Absolutely! If you prefer a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt or a mixture of yogurt and a little mayonnaise to keep some creaminess while reducing richness. Just adjust the honey and lemon juice to taste so the balance remains fresh and vibrant.
What types of apples work best in this salad?
For the perfect crunch and balance of sweet and tart, try using Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples. These varieties hold their texture well and complement the other ingredients beautifully.
Can I make the candied walnuts myself?
Yes! Simply toast walnuts in a dry pan, then toss them with a little melted butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon while warm. Allow them to cool and harden for a homemade touch that’s tasty and customizable.
Is the Waldorf Salad Recipe gluten-free?
It is! All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this salad a safe and delicious choice for those avoiding gluten in their diet.
How can I add some extra protein to this salad?
Try adding grilled chicken, turkey, or even some crumbled blue cheese. These additions will create a more substantial meal while keeping the essence of the Waldorf Salad Recipe intact.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the bright, crunchy, and sweet combination found in the Waldorf Salad Recipe to lift your meal to the next level. Give it a try the next time you want something refreshing and easy that’s bound to impress guests or delight family members. Once you’ve experienced the perfect blend of apples, grapes, celery, and candied walnuts dressed in that smooth honey-mayo goodness, this salad will definitely earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection.
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Waldorf Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Waldorf Salad combines crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and sweet candied walnuts tossed in a creamy honey-mustard mayonnaise dressing. Served over fresh mixed greens, it offers a refreshing and colorful salad perfect for light lunches or as a side dish.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad
- 2 apples (chopped or cut into matchsticks)
- 1 cup red grapes (halved)
- 1 cup thinly sliced celery
- 1 cup candied walnuts (plus more for garnish)
- Mixed greens (for serving)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Prepare the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped apples, halved red grapes, thinly sliced celery, and candied walnuts. Gently toss the ingredients together to evenly distribute.
- Combine salad and dressing: Pour the prepared dressing into the large bowl with the fruit and celery mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly in the dressing.
- Serve: Arrange mixed greens on serving plates. Spoon the Waldorf salad mixture over the greens. Garnish with additional candied walnuts if desired and serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- For the best flavor and crunch, use firm, tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- Candied walnuts can be store-bought or homemade; ensure they are fresh and crunchy for optimal texture.
- If preferred, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated; avoid long storage to maintain apple crispness.
- Optional additions include raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness and texture variation.
