Ready in 15 minutes, this classic Waldorf salad recipe is a deliciously easy salad you will be making over and over again. A simple mixture of crisp apples, celery, grapes and walnuts tossed together with a creamy homemade mayonnaise dressing. We guarantee this will be a crowd pleaser.
Chop 1 + half apple in small cubes. Thinly slice the remaining half of the apple.
Trim and cut celery stalks into small pieces to yield 1 cup of chopped celery.
Cut grapes in half.
Wash and pat dry lettuce leaves.
Dry toast walnuts in a large fry pan for a few minutes until golden brown. Roughly chop roasted walnuts.
Salad Dressing
In a small bowl, add mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Mix well together until combined.
Assembly
In a mixing bowl, add diced apples, celery, grapes and half of the walnuts together.
Dress with mayonnaise salad dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Toss together.
On a large platter, layer your lettuce leaves on the bottom.
Tumble the tossed salad over the lettuce leaves.
Sprinkle remaining walnuts over the top of salad.
Gently place sliced apple in fan shapes around the salad.
Serve
Video
Notes
For best results, use fresh, crunchy apples and good quality mayonnaise.
Substitute the mayonnaise, all or half, with plain yoghurt or creme fraiche if the dressing is too heavy or if you need an egg-free salad recipe.
Omit the walnuts from the salad for a nut-free option or substitute with pepitas.
For a vegan option, substitute mayonnaise in the dressing with your favourite vegan mayonnaise brand.
You can substitute the red apples and grapes with green apples and grapes. Or you have a mixture of both.
To bulk up and make it a main course salad, add pieces of grilled chicken, turkey or leftover rotisserie chicken.
The classic Waldorf salad serves as a base for many variations. You can add additional ingredients complimenting apple, grape, celery and walnut combinations or switch them out to cater to your guests. Here are some ideas for you to play with: