Name: Waldorf Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Ingredients: ½ cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; pinch salt; 4-5 apples (cored and diced); ½ cup celery (thinly chopped); 1 cup walnuts (toasted); 1 cup raisins

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Waldorf Salad may be old-fashioned but it never goes out of style. Crispy apples, celery and walnuts with sweet raisins make a perfect fall salad. Always great for a HOLIDAY meal.

Around the holidays we were talking with friends about some of their favorite family dishes and it reminded me that my mom would frequently make Waldorf Salad. I don’t know when this became old-fashioned or just not in style, but I haven’t had it in years. While in New York last year we went to the Waldorf-Astoria just so we could order the salad. Theirs was similar to my mom’s but they slivered their apples, while we always just chopped them.

The Waldorf-Astoria in NY is currently closed for renovation so you’ll have to just try my version. It’s such a nice salad to round out a dinner and it’s so simple to make. I think it’s time to bring this salad back to life. It is a great addition to almost any meal, whether it’s grilled chicken or Thanksgiving dinner.

What is Waldorf Salad

Waldorf was created in the late 1800’s at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NY for a charity ball and was still being served before they closed it for reconstruction. The salad always has apples and celery with a mayonnaise based dressing. Some add grapes or chicken. You can tweak Waldorf salad based on your preferences, but I think it should have raisins, walnuts and celery along with the apples.

What’s in the DRESSING for Waldorf salad

The dressing is so simple with just three ingredients: mayonnaise, sugar and lemon juice. Choose your favorite mayonnaise, (Hellmans for me) and add just a little lemon juice and sugar to your taste. I like less dressing, just enough to coat the apples. The lemon juice will keep your apples from turning brown so you can make this earlier in the day. It will still be good for at least 24 hours, but I think it’s best eaten the same day, as the apples tend to get a little mushy after 24 hours.

HOW do you make apple Waldorf Salad

This classic Waldorf salad could not be any easier. You chop up apples, leaving the skins on. Add raisins, chopped celery, and walnuts and then lightly coat with the mayonnaise based dressing. The lemon juice in the dressing will keep your apples from turning brown so you can make this earlier in the day. It will still be good for at least 24 hours, but I think it’s best eaten the same day, as the apples tend to get a little mushy after 24 hours. If you want to be fancy then you can do like they do at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel and cut the apples into match sticks.

Which APPLES should you use for classic Waldorf Salad

The best apples to use for Waldorf salad are the ones that you like to eat. They should be crisp and for a pretty salad, have red skins. I prefer fuji or gala or even a red delicious. I think Honeycrisps are too tart for this salad but that’s just my preference. For everything you want to know about apples, go to Stemilt’s website, they are my favorite brand.

If you aren’t in the mood for an apple salad, then one of these might sound good

Get your veggies with Corn and Cucumber Salad
Simple but delicious Burrata with Oranges
Feeling fruity, try Tequila Lime Blueberry Salad
Broccoli Salad will go with any meal you are preparing

Can’t get enough APPLES, here are some more recipes

If you make Waldorf Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! I would love to see your creation.

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Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad may be old-fashioned but it never goes out of style. Crispy apples, celery and walnuts with sweet raisins make a perfect fall salad. Always great for a HOLIDAY meal.

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apples, celery, raisins, walnuts

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Servings:

Calories: 299kcal

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
pinch salt
4-5 apples cored and diced
½ cup celery thinly chopped
1 cup walnuts toasted
1 cup raisins

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice and salt. Add remaining ingredients and chill until ready to serve.

Notes

Use a firm sweet apple like fuji or gala

Nutrition