Easy Waldorf Salad with Apples and Walnuts Recipe
A classic Waldorf Salad featuring crisp Granny Smith apples, juicy red seedless grapes, crunchy celery, and toasted walnuts, all tossed in a creamy dressing made from whipped heavy cream and mayonnaise. This refreshing and light salad is perfect as a side dish or a healthy snack, served chilled to enhance its crisp texture and balanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Fruit and Nuts
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples, diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup (151 g) red seedless grapes, halved
- ½ cup (58 g) toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
Vegetables
- 2 medium ribs celery, diced (about 1 cup)
Other
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup (59 g) heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup (58 g) mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: To a large bowl, add the diced Granny Smith apples along with the granulated sugar and lemon juice. Toss gently to evenly coat the apples, which helps prevent browning and adds a touch of sweetness.
- Add Celery, Grapes, and Walnuts: Add the diced celery, halved grapes, and roughly chopped toasted walnuts to the bowl containing the apples. Mix gently to combine all the salad ingredients without bruising the fruit.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate medium bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Stiff peaks mean the cream stands up straight when the whisk is lifted, indicating it's ready to hold shape.
- Make the Dressing: Once the cream is whipped, gently fold in the mayonnaise until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, creating a rich and light dressing for the salad.
- Combine Salad and Dressing: Pour the whipped cream and mayonnaise dressing over the apple mixture. Sprinkle kosher salt evenly over the top, then gently fold everything together until all ingredients are thoroughly and evenly coated.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Waldorf salad for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become refreshingly cold.
- Serve: Serve the Waldorf salad cold as a delightful side dish or a light snack that showcases a harmonious blend of texture and flavor.
Notes
- For added texture, you can substitute or add sliced celery for extra crunch.
- Lightly toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor.
- Mayonnaise can be replaced with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
- Be sure to refrigerate the salad before serving to keep it crisp and refreshing.
- Use lemon juice to prevent apples from browning and to add a citrus tang.
