Waldorf Salad

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PRESENTATION

Crisp bites, sweet fruit, and creamy dressing come together in the classic Waldorf salad—a real favorite among American salad recipes and family meals everywhere. Something about those crunchy apples, fresh celery, and toasty walnuts mixed with a smooth, creamy mayonnaise-based dressing just hits right, especially when you want a side that's fresh but still DELICIOUS beside any spread. That solid color contrast—the green celery, apple pieces, and browned walnuts—looks really good at family Sunday dinners or on a holiday buffet. Most folks like how the Waldorf salad creates that nice, sweet pop of flavor while still feeling a bit fancy (but not too fancy for weeknights). Special times—summer BBQs, Thanksgiving, friendly potlucks—always seem to get BETTER with this salad sharing the table, each bite balancing crunch and sweetness the way families like. And, pretty much anyone can get behind that simple, satisfying combo when you want something that actually tastes as good as it looks.

Busy families usually gravitate toward this classic Waldorf salad for those easy, no-fuss nights since it's really EASY to make ahead and keeps well, even when the day's busy or the kids are back for seconds. Doesn't matter if you're tossing it into a lunchbox, serving with roast chicken, or setting out as a holiday side dish—it just works, no matter the crowd or occasion. Sometimes it sneaks onto the weekday table when you want a great, refreshing potluck salad next to burgers or sandwiches (especially nice with sliders—simple tip!). Got picky eaters? Try a version with mini marshmallows or serve with diced chicken and watch it disappear. Go for whipped cream instead of mayo for a lighter change and still keep those American salad recipe vibes each family gathers for. No fancy tricks needed... just a crowd-pleasing, nice, and memorable salad that families ask for again and again—DEFINITELY a recipe that feels right at home any time, especially when life gets busy and you want something that tastes great every single time.

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INGREDIENTS
White celery 2 cups (200 g)
Granny Smith apples 7 oz (200 g)
Greek yogurt ¾ cup (180 g)
Lemon juice 2 tsp (10 g)
Walnut kernels ⅓ cup (50 g)
Acacia honey 2 tbsp (35 g)
Mayonnaise 0.67 cup (150 g)
White pepper to taste
Fine salt to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Waldorf Salad

To make the Waldorf Salad, start by cleaning the celeriac. First, peel the celeriac 1, wash it well, and cut it into julienne strips 2. Then blanch it in plenty of boiling salted water 3,

for about 2-3 minutes 4, drain it well 5, and pat it dry with kitchen paper or a clean towel 6.

At this point, set it aside, and in the meantime, start preparing the dressing for the Waldorf Salad. In a large bowl, mix Greek yogurt with mayonnaise, then add honey 7, lemon juice 8, salt, and white pepper, and blend everything with a whisk 9.

Once the dressing is ready, peel the apple, remove the core with the appropriate tool 10, and then also cut it into julienne strips 11; place the chopped apple in a bowl and to prevent it from turning brown, add half a lemon, squeezing the juice and leaving it in the water 12.

At this point, coarsely chop the walnuts 13 and start assembling your salad. In a large bowl, pour in the apples and celeriac 14, then add the freshly prepared sauce 15.

Mix well and adjust with salt and pepper 16; finally, add the chopped walnuts 17, mix again, and serve your Waldorf salad 18.

Storage

It's best to consume the Waldorf Salad immediately after preparation; alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to one day. Freezing is not recommended.

Advice

The choice of apples to use for preparing the Waldorf Salad can be made according to personal taste, ranging from the green, tart, and crunchy Granny Smith to the sweet and fragrant Red Delicious, to the softer and tart Renetta. Generally, a rather tart apple is used to create a contrast of flavors with the already sweet celeriac.

Try replacing Greek yogurt with sour cream!

Curiosity

In 1893, the Waldorf Salad was served at a private reception at the hotel, and in 1896 it appeared in “The Cook Book by Oscar The Waldorf.” In the “Rector Cook Book” of 1928, the version with walnuts was officially included, thus becoming one of the canonical ingredients. This salad became so famous that it was mentioned by Cole Porter in a song, You’re the Top, where among a «you’re the Louvre Museum» and a «you’re a Shakespeare's sonnet» he also included a «you’re the Waldorf Salad, you’re the top!»

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.