Dessert

Classic Waldorf Salad Recipe

ByHugo Harnd November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

Introduction

The Classic Waldorf Salad is a refreshing blend of crisp apples, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and toasted nuts, all brought together with a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s a timeless dish that’s perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side.

A white bowl is filled with a mixed salad showing four main layers: light green celery pieces chopped into small sections, dark red grape halves, light yellow apple cubes, and brown walnut pieces. These layers are all coated in white creamy dressing that adds a glossy texture. Fresh green parsley bits are sprinkled evenly over the salad, adding pops of color. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface, surrounded by extra parsley in a small white bowl to the right, some loose walnuts on the left, and large fresh green lettuce leaves on the bottom left, with a silver butter knife resting on a striped cloth napkin beside the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 tablespoons Greek yogurt (dairy or dairy-free)
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 green apples, diced
1 cup diced celery
1 cup grapes, halved
1 cup whole walnuts or pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Optional: butter lettuce leaves for serving

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and honey. Stir well to create a smooth dressing, then set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, add the diced green apples, celery, grapes, toasted nuts, chopped parsley, and kosher salt. Pour the dressing over these ingredients.
Step 3: Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
Step 4: Serve the salad on a bed of butter lettuce leaves if desired, for a fresh presentation.

Tips & Variations

For added texture, try substituting walnuts with almonds or hazelnuts.
Use red apples instead of green for a sweeter flavor.
Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt alone for a lighter dressing.
Add diced celery root (celeriac) for a more traditional Waldorf taste.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The apples may brown slightly over time; tossing the salad again before serving can help refresh its appearance. Leftover salad can be served chilled or brought to room temperature.

How to Serve

A large white bowl filled with a colorful Waldorf salad showing three main layers of ingredients: halves of red grapes, pale green celery pieces, and white apple cubes, all mixed with light brown walnut pieces and small green herb bits. The salad is coated with a creamy white dressing that lightly covers each ingredient. Surrounding the bowl on a white marbled surface are bowls with chopped green herbs, some walnut pieces, a fork, and green lettuce leaves on the left side. The scene is bright and fresh, capturing the textures and colors vividly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Waldorf salad ahead of time?

Yes, but it is best to prepare it a few hours in advance to keep the ingredients fresh. For longer storage, keep the dressing separate and toss it with the salad just before serving to prevent sogginess and browning.

What can I use instead of mayonnaise?

You can substitute mayonnaise with extra Greek yogurt or a vegan mayo alternative to make the salad lighter or dairy-free while maintaining its creamy texture.