Best Waldorf Salad Recipe - Food Lovin Family (2024)

Home Salad Waldorf Salad Recipe with Yogurt

By Heather

5 from 14 votes

Jan 29, 2019, Updated Feb 10, 2024

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Waldorf salad is a classic recipe filled with apples, grapes, and nuts. A family favorite that is always served at holiday gatherings. This creamy fruit salad is always a hit.

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This is one of those dishes that always makes an appearance during a holiday meal like pea salad, ambrosia salad, and Watergate salad. Creamy and slightly sweet, it has become a dish my kids ask for on every special occasion.

What is an Apple Waldorf Salad?

This salad is made with fruit and nuts and typically has a mayonnaise dressing served on lettuce. Oscar Tschirky, who worked at the New York City Waldorf Astoria hotel in 1896 is credited with developing the recipe for a charity ball that was held at the hotel.

The original classic waldorf salad recipe consisted of apples, celery, and mayonnaise.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Greek vanilla yogurt – Used to make the creamy dressing for the salad. You can also substitute with plain Greek yogurt to cut down on the sweetness.
  • Honey – Adds a hint of sweetness to the dish.
  • Lemon juice – Lemon juice helps to prevent the apples from browning.
  • Apples – Use your favorite apples like green apples, red apples, honey crisp apples, fuji apples, or others.
  • Grapes – Red grapes and green grapes are used for this recipe but you can also just use red or green.
  • Celery – Diced celery adds a nice crunch.
  • Pecans – Chopped pecans add more crunch and flavor.

Variations

Want a little something different? Try some of these add-ins.

  • If you don’t have yogurt, try using mayonnaise or sour cream for a tangy flavor.
  • To make this a full meal, try adding shredded or chopped chicken.
  • Try a little added texture with dried fruit like raisins, golden raisins, or cranberries.
  • Different fruit like mandarin oranges or diced pears are also great additions.
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How to make this Recipe for Waldorf Salad

This recipe uses Greek yogurt instead of the classic mayonnaise. If you prefer mayonnaise, feel free to substitute.

  1. Start by making the dressing. Stir together the Greek yogurt, honey, and lemon juice.
  2. Cut apples and celery into small pieces and cut grapes in half.
  3. Pour dressing over apples, celery, grapes, and nuts. Stir until everything is covered.
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Recipe Tips

  • If you like your salad a little sweeter you can add a pinch of sugar or use vanilla Greek yogurt.
  • Make sure to choose crisp apples for the salad so that it doesn’t become mushy in texture.
  • Make sure to cut fruit in bite size pieces.
  • Toss the apples in the dressing as soon as they are cut. The lemon juice acid in the dressing is key to preventing browning of the fruit.
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How long will this Waldorf Salad Recipe with Yogurt last?

This salad will last about two days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can make it the night before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Where does Waldorf salad originate from?

The Waldorf salad was first introduced in 1893 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. The executive chef, Edouard Beauchamp and the maitre d’hotel, Oscar Tschirky came up with the simple salad.

What do you eat Waldorf with?

This salad pairs well with a variety of dishes like ham, chicken, and pork.

How do you keep apples from turning brown in Waldorf salad?

The acid in the lemon juice will help prevent the apples from turning brown.

More salad recipes

  • Chicken salad is a delicious salad with a hint of spice and vegetables.
  • Egg salad is creamy and perfect for an on the go lunch.
  • Tuna salad – A classic, easy dish.
  • Salmon salad – Similar to tuna salad.

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5 from 14 votes

Waldorf Salad without Mayo

By Heather

Waldorf Salad with Greek yogurt.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Greek vanilla yogurt
  • 1 tablesppon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 apple diced
  • 1/2 cup green grapes, sliced in half
  • 1/2 cup red grapes, sliced in half
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • lettuce, optional

Instructions

  • Stir together yogurt, lemon juice and honey in a bowl.

  • Add diced apples, grapes, celery and pecans. Pour dressing over ingredients and stir until covered. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • If you like your salad a little sweeter you can add a pinch of sugar or use vanilla Greek yogurt.
  • Make sure to cut fruit in bite size pieces.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 3.6mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

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FAQs

What fruit does a Waldorf salad typically contain? ›

There are different variations, but they all contain the typical Waldorf salad ingredients of apples, celery, grapes, and nuts in a mayonnaise based dressing.

What is Waldorf salad dressing made of? ›

Waldorf Salad Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this restaurant-worthy Waldorf salad recipe at home: For the dressing: mayonnaise, white sugar, lemon juice, and salt. For the salad: apples, celery, walnuts, and (optional) raisins.

Does Waldorf salad contain celery? ›

A Waldorf salad is a fruit and nut salad generally made of celery, fresh apples, walnuts, and grapes, dressed in mayonnaise, and traditionally served on a bed of lettuce as an appetizer or a light meal. The apples, celery, and grapes can all be green, which harmonizes the color palette of the dish.

Why is it called Waldorf salad? ›

The salad was part of a menu created by Edouard Beauchamp, the Waldorf's original executive chef, and Oscar Tschirky, its maitre d'hotel. Tschirky, eventually nicknamed Oscar of the Waldorf, is reputed to have been the salad's creator.

How to keep apples from turning brown in Waldorf salad? ›

Just toss the apple pieces with a teaspoon or so of lemon juice. Also, as soon as you assemble the salad, the apple surfaces become coated with mayonnaise or other dressing, which will protect them from the air. No oxygen, no browning.

What is Hawaiian salad made of? ›

In a large bowl, combine the greens, carrots, pineapple and cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sugar and reserved pineapple juice, taste and then add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over salad; toss to coat.

What is the healthiest salad dressing in the world? ›

What is the healthiest dressing for a salad?
  • Vinaigrette. This classic combination of vinegar and olive oil gets the highest marks from dietitians. ...
  • Honey mustard. It's sweet and tangy, and also olive oil-based. ...
  • Yogurt-based dressing. ...
  • Pesto-based dressing. ...
  • Avocado-based dressing. ...
  • Tahini dressing. ...
  • Green goddess dressing.
Feb 20, 2024

What is Waldorf salad dressing made of mayonnaise? ›

Place 1/4 cup mayonnaise or yogurt, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional), 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

What is the most popular salad dressing in the world? ›

Most Famous Dressings in the World
  1. Ranch Dressing. The ranch is a salad dressing or dip made with buttermilk, salt, garlic, onions, herbs (dill, parsley, chives, etc.), and spices (mustard seeds, black pepper, paprika, etc.) ...
  2. Fry Sauce. ...
  3. Chermoula. ...
  4. Blue Cheese Dressing. ...
  5. Thousand Island Dressing. ...
  6. Italian Dressing.

What is the Bella Hadid salad? ›

Bella's salad is made with a base of arugula topped with cucumber, bell pepper, avocado and parmesan cheese. The best part (she says not to skip it!) is the balsamic glaze on top.

Is celery a good substitute for lettuce? ›

9. Celery. Celery is a fresh, crunchy and hydrating vegetable just like lettuce. Celery leaves and stalks can be used in both salads and sandwiches.

Can celery be eaten raw in salad? ›

Celery can be eaten raw in salads or chopped up and cooked with vegetables such as onions, carrots and leeks as a base for soups, sauces and casseroles. The larger outer stalks are best for cooking, while the inner stalks are more tender, so ideal for eating raw.

What is the three sacred sisters salad? ›

Ingredients
  1. 2 pounds butternut squash.
  2. 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  3. 1 (15.5-oz.) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed.
  4. 2 cups fresh corn kernels.
  5. ½ small red onion, sliced.
  6. ½ cup chopped fresh basil.
  7. Balsamic Vinaigrette.
  8. 3 cups loosely packed arugula.

Why is it called Russian salad? ›

Russian salad was originally called Oliver salad based on the Moscow-based Belgian chef who invented it. During the 20th century, the dish spread throughout Europe and adopted the name Russian salad.

Why is it called Ambrosia salad? ›

Ambrosia was so named for the food of the Greek and Roman gods. Its region of origin is lost to history. Its ties to the South are strong, though some believe it began in Vermont or elsewhere in New England.

What does a fruit salad contain? ›

Common ingredients used in fruit salads include strawberries, pineapple, honeydew, watermelon, grapes, and kiwifruit. Various recipes may call for the addition of nuts, fruit juices, certain vegetables, yogurt, or other ingredients.

What fruit is in a fruit salad sweet? ›

Fruit Salad is a type of "raspberry & pineapple flavour chew" according to its packaging. It is a chewy confectionery.

Why is a fruit salad a salad? ›

The answer is simple — because of the dressing. Today's definition of salad is a variety of cold dishes that include small pieces of food (such as pasta, meat, fruit, or vegetables) mixed with a dressing or mayonnaise. To put it simply, if it's dressed you can feel confident calling it a salad!

What do we get from fruit salad? ›

With the right quantity and type of fruits, a fruit salad can work wonders for you, for it will provide you with a power-packed dose of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. At the same time, you will also get a wide range of health benefits, right from lower blood pressure levels to weight management.

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