How to Make a Classic Waldorf Salad That Will Wow Your Taste Buds!

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 This classic Waldorf salad, filled with the crunch of crisp apples, celery, and toasted nuts, is an effortless recipe that’s perfect for serving a crowd no matter the season.

Longing for the good old days seems to be sparking a retro revival in home cooking. Is it just on the horizon or already here?

There’s been a gradual return of comforting, familiar family recipes to the forefront, especially classic potluck and picnic salads making a swift comeback. Who needs extravagant or complicated when what’s desired is comforting and fulfilling? And it seems you’re all in agreement, as the recipes for the finest potato salad, macaroni salad, and creamy coleslaw consistently rank among the most popular recipes here at Everyday Delicious Kitchen.

This cherished Waldorf salad recipe belonged to my Grandma Mary Jane. Similar to her Parmesan-crusted chicken and classic lemon bars, I stumbled upon it while sifting through her recipe cards, now in my possession and ready to be shared with you.

The origins of the Waldorf salad date back over a century ago to the Waldorf hotel in New York City. Initially comprising apples, celery, and mayonnaise—ingredients available year-round—its taste evolved by incorporating grapes and nuts over time.

My grandmother’s recipe aligns closely with these elements, featuring:

– Tart apples

– Celery

– Walnuts or pecans

– Grapes

– Lemon juice

– Sugar

– Salt

– Mayonnaise

– Whipped cream (her secret ingredient!)

This combination maintains the traditional essence of the salad, with a touch of whipped cream for added lightness.

Creating the Classic Waldorf Salad

This straightforward salad doesn’t demand any cooking; it merely involves a bit of chopping and mixing, taking only a few minutes to prepare.

Opt for the crunchiest apple varieties available. While Grandma recommended tart green Granny Smith apples, for a splash of color variety, I utilized one green apple alongside a crispy Fuji apple. Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, and Gala apples also work well.

Maintain uniformity in chopping. Ensuring the apples, celery, and grapes are cut to a similar size guarantees a consistent blend of crunchiness and sweetness in every mouthful.

Sprinkle the diced fruit with lemon juice and sugar. Cut apples can discolor rapidly, but applying lemon juice slows down this process. Additionally, the direct sprinkling of sugar enhances the fruit’s sweetness.

Blend the wet components before introducing them to the dry ones. Combine the mayonnaise and whipped cream thoroughly before incorporating them into the fruit. This guarantees a consistent, creamy dressing.

Toast the nuts to enhance their flavor profile. Prior to adding them to the salad, toast the nuts to deepen their taste by unlocking their natural oils, eliminating any rawness, and intensifying their nutty essence.

Incorporate Greek Yogurt into the Waldorf Salad Dressing

Traditionally, the Waldorf salad dressing typically commences with mayonnaise. While using only mayo suffices, I opt for an elevated flavor profile in this salad, incorporating my grandma’s secret ingredient.

Her secret? Whipped cream.

However, you have the option to substitute the whipped cream with plain Greek yogurt or even sour cream, which I’ve experimented with myself. I encourage you to try both variations and determine your personal preference.

Should you choose to do so, substitute the suggested ½ cup of whipped cream with 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt or sour cream, according to your taste.

Enhance the Waldorf Salad with Additional Ingredients

Elevate this salad with these optional complementary ingredients:

– Mini marshmallows

– Raisins

– Dried cranberries

– Diced pineapple

– Dried dates

– Chicken or turkey

– Red onion

– Broccoli or cauliflower

– Sunflower seeds, pecans, or pistachios

These additional elements offer the opportunity to customize and elevate the classic Waldorf salad to suit your preferences and taste preferences.

Classic Waldorf Salad

Nutrition