Classic Waldorf Salad
Bright, crisp, and creamy, this classic Waldorf salad tosses together fresh apples, grapes, celery, and toasted nuts in a tangy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and honey. Juicy crunch, silky dressing, and a flavor that bridges retro charm with modern cravings—this salad is as timeless as it is delicious.
4
servings
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) mayonnaise full-fat preferred, but light can be used
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt either works
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice fresh-squeezed
- 1/4 tsp (1.5 g) salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) black pepper freshly ground, to taste
Salad
- 1 tart green apple such as Granny Smith, diced (peel on)
- 1 sweet red apple such as Honeycrisp, diced (peel on)
- 1 cup (150 g) red grapes halved, seedless
- 1 cup (100 g) celery thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup (60 g) toasted walnuts or pecans chopped, plus extra for garnish
- lettuce leaves for serving, optional
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Knife
- Cutting board
Instructions
- Whisk the dressing together: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Prep the produce: Dice apples (leave the peels on), slice the grapes in half, and chop the celery. Try to keep pieces bite-sized for perfect salad texture.
- Toss it all together: Add the apples, grapes, celery, and toasted nuts to the bowl with dressing. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill time: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon salad onto lettuce leaves if using. Garnish with extra toasted nuts just before serving.
Notes
This salad is endlessly flexible: swap sour cream for Greek yogurt, use different apple varieties, try dried cranberries instead of grapes, or replace nuts with seeds for a nut-free crunch. To make it a meal, add cooked chicken or tofu. Waldorf salad keeps 2–3 days in the fridge—just stir before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2.5g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg