Waldorf Salad
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Crispy apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery and toasted walnuts are enveloped in a creamy sauce in this Waldorf Salad recipe. Originally made for the high society of New York City, this famous salad soon became a staple in every American home. With its vibrant colors, contrasting textures and sweet and savory flavor profile, this classy salad has stood the test of time!
What is Waldorf Salad?
This famous salad has become embedded in American culture as a timeless culinary classic. This Waldorf Salad recipe features apples, grapes, celery, nuts and raisins and is traditionally served on a bed of green leaf lettuce. Simple to make, this salad is a fitting dish for both the most casual and formal settings.
Where Did It Originate?
As the name suggests, Waldorf Salad originated in none other than the iconic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The day after it’s grand opening on March 13, 1893 a charity ball was held honoring St. Mary’s Hospital for Children. The menu was created by Edouard Beauchamp, the hotel’s original executive chef, and featured a salad created by the hotel’s dining room manager (maitre d’hotel), Oscar Tschirky.
The salad originally consisted of just three ingredients: Red apples, celery and mayonnaise. The salad became an instant success and it wasn’t long thereafter that walnuts also became an integral part of the salad along with other additions like grapes and lemon juice.
Whereas several of today’s famous “gourmet” dishes started out as peasant food (e.g., lobster, beef bourguignon, coq au vin), the reverse is the case of the Waldorf Salad: It was a dish made exclusively for the “who’s who” rich and elite of New York City but soon became a staple of every American home.
While Waldorf Salad is practically an American icon, it is not well-known outside the U.S.. This fact is showcased in my all-time favorite British sitcom, Fawlty Towers:
An ornery and impatient American guest is seated in the hotel dining room and barks out his order:
“Would you make me a Waldorf Salad?”
A confused Basil replies: “A wal….?”
“A WALDORF SALAD!”
[Pausing in confusion] “Well, I think we’re just out of Waldorf.”
Waldorf Salad Recipe
The original dressing that was made purely of mayonnaise but we’re going to freshen up the flavor by adding some tangy yogurt and some freshly squeezed lemon juice. In contrast to the crunchy texture of the apples, walnuts and celery we’re also adding a few raisins for a delightful bit of chewiness and some added sweetness. You can add dried cherries if you prefer and during the holidays you can use dried cranberries. Everything is stirred together and served on a bed of green leaf lettuce.
Add the apples, celery, grapes, walnuts and raisins (if using) to a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl stir together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad.
Stir to thoroughly combine and coat the salad.
Serve immediately on a bed of green leaf lettuce or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
What to Serve with Waldorf Salad
This classic salad pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are a few serving suggestions:
- Sandwiches or wraps: like roast chicken, turkey, ham or club sandwiches
- Quiche: like Bacon and Leek Quiche, Canadian Bacon and Pineapple Quiche or BLT Polenta Quiche
- Soup: such as Creamy Tomato Soup, Creamy Carrot Soup or Curried Butternut Squash Soup
- Grilled Meats, Roasts and Chicken: like Tri Tip Roast, Pot Roast or Roasted Cornish Game Hen,
- Salmon: like Orange Glazed Salmon, Grilled Salmon or Baked Salmon
- Beef Wellington or Chicken Wellington
- For Brunch or Buffet along with toast points, Salmon Gravlax, Smoked Salmon Spread, Deviled Eggs, Pork Rillettes and Chicken Liver Pate
- Whole Grain Bread, Sourdough Bread, Baguette or Croissants
Enjoy!
For more delicious salads be sure to try our:
- Crunchy Broccoli Salad
- Olivier Salad
- Maroulosalata
- Mexican Corn Salad
- Greek Grilled Asparagus Salad
- Sauerkraut Salad
- Mexican Corn Salad
- Creamy German Cucumber Salad
- Watermelon Salad with Mint and Feta
- Four Bean Salad
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Waldorf Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain full fat yogurt (vegan: use vegan yogurt or use more mayo)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For the Salad:
- 2 cups firm red skinned apples , cored and diced
- 1 cup red seedless grapes , halved
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 3/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts (toast them on a lined baking sheet in the oven at 375F until their color slightly darkens, then let cool completely)
- 3 tablespoons raisins (can also use dried cherries or cranberries)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. In a large mixing bowl add all of the salad ingredients. Pour over the dressing and stir to thoroughly combine. Serve immediately, otherwise cover and refrigerate.
Notes
- For a lightened up version you can use light mayonnaise, low fat yogurt, and stevia.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet January 1, 2020
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
l like your Go To It way of explaining stuff. Great. Also the plan of presenting… all good; thanks!
Thank you so much, Richard, I appreciate that!
We skip the grapes and the carbs in them. 2 stalks of celery hearts, and 2 Rome apples. 1tsp. freshly grated nutmeg, a dusting of cinnamon, one cup of walnuts raw, broken. 1 tsp lemon. 1/2 cup flax seeds. Dressing 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 mayonnaise. For a bit of a change, we may add 6 chopped dates or dried dark cherries. We usually serve this at luncheons and keep it in the fridge for snacks. It is served in lettuce cups. Yes, we have had the original at the Waldorf.
So simple and so refreshing! The dressing is the perfect balance of tangy goodness and, of course, makes the salad!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth, thank you!
I’ve been enjoying this salad since my mother first made it fifty years ago. Since then, I have tweaked the recipe to create a curried chicken Waldorf salad. I add curry powder to the dressing (to ensure even distribution in the salad) then shredded chicken from a store-bought rotisserie chicken. My family loves this salad and the addition of protein makes this a great lunch.
The salad was just excellent, thank you very much for the recipe, I’ll put it in my piggy bank
Thanks so much, Mary, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious salad with a history lesson! Love it! Waldorf salad is amazing!
I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
Such a delicious recipe! Perfectly balanced and crunchy; made a perfect lunch!
Thanks so much, Sara, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The best salad around! Love the added fruit and yogurt!
This is always a must have when we have our friends over for brunch. Everyone loves it!
We grew up eating this! Always a big hit for family get togethers! Love the yogurt in the dressing!
This is such a classic. I love to make a batch and have for lunches during the week.
I love Waldorf salad, it’s one of my favorites! The history lesson was a nice touch. ;)