Name: Waldorf Salad
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup red seedless grapes halved; 2 granny smith apples diced; 2 ribs celery sliced 1/4 inch; ½ cup walnuts; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 1 Tbsp honey; 1 Tbsp lemon juice about a half of a lemon; zest from half a lemon; ½ tsp salt or to taste; ¼ tsp pepper or to taste

A colorful crisp salad with crunchy apples, plump grapes, and walnuts tossed in a mayo-based dressing, this Waldorf salad is a staple at potlucks and BBQs!

Why this recipe works

Waldorf salad is a classic potluck recipe originally consisting of apples and celery coated in a mayonnaise-based dressing. It dates back to 1893 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. Since then, many people have put their own spin on this salad by adding walnuts, grapes, and in-season fruits.

While this fruit and nut salad doesn’t have any protein, you can certainly add chopped chicken to the mix similar to how chicken salad with grapes is served. There is so much room for customization here!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

APPLES – We used Granny Smith apples for a nice crisp-tart bite, however, it’s common to mix in another variety of apple like Fuji or Honeycrisp for a pop of color and added sweetness.

GRAPES – I recommend using seedless grapes. Red grapes, green grapes, or a mixture of the two all work beautifully in this recipe. You may also substitute the grapes with raisins if desired.

OTHER ADDITIONS – Celery and walnuts add texture and crunch. Pecans can be substituted for walnuts, or omit the nuts entirely if there are allergy concerns.

DRESSING – A combination of mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper creates a light and creamy dressing. To lighten it up even more, substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

How to Make Waldorf Salad

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

To a large bowl add the grapes, apples, celery and walnuts.
In a small bowl with a whisk, combine the mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the large bowl and toss well.
Serve on a bed of lettuce or as is.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Can I make this ahead of time?

I would not recommend making this salad any more than 1-2 hours before serving. It’s quick and easy to make in under 10 minutes. The longer it sits, the more the diced apples will brown. Store it in the refrigerator in an air-tight container until you’re ready to serve. These are my favorite mixing bowls to use because they come with an air-tight lid and make transportation and storing easy.

Serving Suggestions

There are many ways to serve Waldorf salad. Here are some of our favorites.

Wrapped in a lettuce leaf
Sandwiched between two slices of bread with crisp lettuce
As a side dish for potlucks & bbq’s
Add in some chopped lettuce to make a true salad

You can customize this recipe to your liking. Some grew up with mini marshmallows mixed in, while others enjoy adding other fruits and veggies like mandarin oranges or broccoli.

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