The Waldorf salad is a classic for good reason! It’s a salad made with walnuts, celery, apples, raisins, and mayonnaise. It’s delicious served with a barbecue, but also perfect as an easy lunch or appetizer.
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Why this Recipe Works
This simple, classic Waldorf salad recipe is one of my favorites during the warmer months, but it is really great all year round.
Serve it with a baguette for a delicious meal. It’s a great alternative to a Caesar salad for example.
Waldorf Salad Ingredients
The ingredients for a Waldorf salad are flexible, but a good version, in my opinion, must contain the following:
- Celery: one of the building blocks for a good Waldorf, it adds crunch and a refreshing flavor
- Apples: I recommend using a fresh, tart apple, such as Granny Smith
- Walnuts: a classic ingredient in a Waldorf salad, easily substituted by seeds or other nuts in case of a (wal)nut-allergy
- Raisins: a nice chewy and sweet addition to this salad
- Grapes: I cut them in half, this makes them easier to eat and better suited to the rest of the salad
The Waldorf Salad Origin
The Waldorf salad originated in the United States. It was first served in 1896 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. The original classic version consisted of only three ingredients: apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Over time, other ingredients were added, including walnuts, raisins, and grapes.
There are also several variations of Waldorf dressing. Some contain mayonnaise, like the recipe I used here, but a slightly lighter version with Greek yogurt is also common.
Salad Dressing
The dressing is quite simple. I like to use my homemade mayonnaise recipe, but shop-bought mayonnaise works well too. Just add some lemon juice and a little honey, and your Waldorf dressing is ready! For a lighter version, replace some of the mayonnaise with yoghurt.
Making an Easy Waldorf salad
Once you have chopped all the ingredients, it is really easy to make. This makes it ideal for barbecues. It’s ready in no time! Simply mix the chopped vegetables, apple, nuts and raisins with the dressing and your salad is ready. You can also make it a little earlier so that the flavors can infuse properly.
I often make it a few hours in advance and put it in the fridge. This also makes the raisins softer and tastier by allowing them to absorb a little moisture. Looking for more easy salad recipes? You’ll always have a recipe for a lunch, side dish or light dinner on hand 😉 .
FAQ
Can I prepare the salad beforehand?
Yes, that’s fine. This salad is ideal for preparing in advance, such as for a barbecue or as a side dish.
What other nuts can I use?
You can easily use different nuts in a Waldorf salad. Try hazelnuts or pecans, for example.
How do I store leftovers?
In an airtight container, up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
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Ingredients
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- 2 stalks celery
- 50 gram walnuts
- 100 gram red grapes
- 1 handful raisins
- 50 gram mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
- Salad bowl
INSTRUCTIONS (how to make this recipe):
- Cut the apples into thin strips or small cubes. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice immediately to prevent discoloration.
- Cut the celery into thin slices and roughly chop the walnuts.
- Halve the grapes.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper together to make a creamy dressing.
- In a large bowl, mix together the apple, celery, walnuts, grapes and raisins (if using). Add the dressing and stir well.
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