Simple Celery Salad (Waldorf Apple Salad) Recipe

Introduction

This Simple Celery Salad, also known as Waldorf Apple Salad, is a refreshing and crunchy blend of celery, apple, cheese, and nuts. It’s perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side for any meal, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

• 10 celery stalks
• 1 green apple (any crisp apple will work)
• 2 romaine lettuce leaves
• 2 oz cheese (parmesan, blue cheese, or feta)
• 1/2 cup grapes (or sultanas)
• 1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans/almonds)
• 2 Tbsp dried barberries (or cranberries, pomegranate, cherries, sultanas, dates)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lime juice (or lemon juice)
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Wash and finely slice the celery, removing any fibrous strings with a vegetable peeler or by hand. Chop the apple into thin slices or cubes, shred the romaine lettuce, and mince the garlic.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the celery, apple, lettuce, cheese, grapes, walnuts, dried barberries, minced garlic, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to mix all ingredients well. Alternatively, mix the ingredients and dressing separately, then serve the salad over a bed of lettuce.
3. Step 3: Serve immediately on its own, as part of a picnic or potluck, or alongside your favorite protein.

Tips & Variations

• For less celery crunch, slice the celery very thinly to soften its texture and flavor.
• Swap the lime juice for lemon juice if preferred; both add a fresh, zesty touch.
• Use your favorite nuts like pecans or almonds to vary the texture and taste.
• Add dried cranberries or cherries instead of barberries for a sweeter note.
• To prevent apples from browning, toss them with a little lemon or lime juice before adding to the salad.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It may become watery over time, so drain excess liquid before serving and consider adding extra dressing to refresh the flavors. Nuts can soften in the fridge, so keep them separate and add right before serving for maximum crunch. For make-ahead prep, keep the salad ingredients and dressing separate, combine before serving, and add nuts last. Apples may discolor if left cut for too long, so tossing them with citrus juice helps maintain color.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

Yes, but it’s best to keep the dressing and salad ingredients separate until just before serving. Also, store nuts separately to keep them crunchy and add them right before you eat.

What cheese works best in this salad?

Parmesan, blue cheese, or feta all complement the flavors well. Choose based on your preference for a milder or tangier cheese.

Simple Celery Salad (Waldorf Apple Salad) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 252 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Simple Celery Salad, also known as Waldorf Apple Salad, is a fresh and crunchy combination of celery, crisp green apples, romaine lettuce, cheese, grapes, nuts, and dried barberries, all dressed in a light olive oil and lime juice dressing. It’s a refreshing, easy-to-make salad perfect as a light meal, side dish, or part of a picnic or potluck spread.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients

• 10 celery stalks
• 1 green apple (any crisp apple will work)
• 2 romaine lettuce leaves
• 2 oz cheese (parmesan, blue cheese, or feta)
• 1/2 cup grapes (or sultanas)
• 1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans/almonds)
• 2 Tbsp dried barberries (or cranberries, pomegranate, cherries, sultanas, dates)

Dressing Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lime juice (or lemon juice)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Chop the Ingredients: Wash the celery stalks and remove any stringy fibrous parts either manually or with a vegetable peeler for a smoother texture. Finely slice the celery into thin pieces. Chop the green apple into thin slices or cubes according to your preference. Shred the romaine lettuce leaves finely. Mince the garlic clove.
2. Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the finely sliced celery, chopped apple, shredded lettuce, grapes, cheese pieces, dried barberries, and nuts. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt to make the dressing.
3. Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the combined salad ingredients and gently toss everything together until well coated. Alternatively, you can mix the dressing separately and serve the salad over a bed of lettuce for a different presentation.
4. Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste. It works well on its own or as part of a picnic, potluck, or alongside your favorite protein.
5. Store: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The salad may become watery over time; drain excess liquid before serving. For best texture, keep nuts separate and add just before serving. To avoid apple discoloration, toss apple pieces with a little lemon or lime juice before mixing into the salad. You can prepare salad and dressing separately ahead and combine just before eating to extend freshness.

Notes

• For a smoother celery texture, carefully remove the fibrous strings on celery with a vegetable peeler or by hand.
• You can substitute dried barberries with cranberries, cherries, pomegranate seeds, sultanas, or dates based on your preference.
• Cheese options include parmesan, blue cheese, or feta to vary flavor profiles.
• Keep nuts separate during storage to prevent them from becoming soft and add them just before serving.
• Toss sliced apples with lemon or lime juice immediately to prevent browning.
• Salad can be made ahead by storing the salad and dressing separately and combining just before serving.
• This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for 2-3 days with some texture and flavor adjustments upon storage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: celery salad, Waldorf salad, apple celery salad, fresh celery salad, no cook salad, vegetarian salad, healthy salad