This Waldorf salad might be one of the most classic salads ever! It’s made up of apples, celery grape and walnuts combined with mayonnaise and served on a bed of lettuce. It’s creamy and fruity and has subtle crunch from walnuts. It can be served alongside a meal or served as an appetizer or light snack. I have even used it as a topping in tacos and burgers. It’s a must-make at our family parties, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. And it makes a nice summertime salad too. It’s super easy to put together and I bet you already have these ingredients in your pantry. Based on my research, this salad was first developed in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1893 and the original recipe did not have any grapes or walnuts. Those were added later, as this salad gained popularity. I have also seen other “sweeter” variations of this recipe that use whipped cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar and even mini marshmallows.
Here are some tips for making Waldorf salad:
Use full fat mayonnaise for maximum creaminess. Mayonnaise can be replaced with yogurt to make the salad healthier, although it will add a little bit of tangy flavor, which can be offset with honey or powdered sugar. Make sure to pat the apples and grapes dry with paper towels to prevent the salad from becoming too “watery.” Typically, whole walnuts are used but I prefer chopped walnuts since they are easier to eat. Toast the walnuts to enhance the “nutty” flavor. You can add more mayonnaise to make it even more creamy.
Here are a few more classic recipes you might like to try:
Classic Popovers Easy Shepard’s Pie Classic Egg Rolls Classic Macaroni and Cheese Ambrosia Salad Classic Rice Pilaf
