Description

This classic Waldorf salad offers a refreshing combination of crisp apples, crunchy celery, juicy grapes, and toasted walnuts, all mixed in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and Dijon mustard. Served on a bed of fresh romaine or Little Gem lettuce, it’s a perfect light and flavorful salad for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Nuts

50g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

Fruit

2 apples (Granny Smith recommended), roughly chopped
150g red grapes, halved
1 lemon, juiced

Vegetables

3 celery sticks, finely sliced
1 romaine or Little Gem lettuce, leaves separated and torn if large

Dressing

100g mayonnaise
2 tbsp Greek-style yogurt
½ tbsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

Toast the Walnuts: Heat a dry frying pan over medium-high heat and toast the walnuts for 3 to 4 minutes until they become lightly golden and aromatic. Transfer them to a bowl and leave to cool completely.
Toss Apples with Lemon Juice: To prevent browning, toss the roughly chopped apples with a splash of the lemon juice. This keeps the fruit fresh and vibrant.
Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and the remaining lemon juice. Season the dressing well with salt and pepper to your taste. This dressing can be refrigerated for up to two days if needed.
Combine Fruits and Vegetables with Dressing: Add the apples, halved grapes, and finely sliced celery into the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together thoroughly in a large bowl to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
Assemble the Salad: Arrange the separated lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon the apple mixture along with any remaining dressing over the lettuce.
Garnish and Serve: Scatter the toasted walnuts on top of the salad just before serving to maintain their crunch and flavor.

Notes

For extra freshness, chill the salad for 15 minutes before serving.
To make it vegan, substitute mayonnaise with vegan mayo and yogurt with a plant-based alternative.
The salad dressing keeps well refrigerated for up to two days.
Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness and firm texture which balances the sweetness of grapes.
Can be served as a light lunch or as a side dish for main meals.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Waldorf salad, apple salad, walnut salad, classic salad, healthy salad, creamy dressing, fruit and nut salad