Hey friends! Today I’m sharing one of my favorite classic salads Waldorf Salad. It’s crunchy, sweet, and a little nutty all the good stuff in one bowl! It’s super easy to make and perfect for lunch, a snack, or a light dinner. This recipe is a fresh twist on an old favorite from American cuisine. Let’s dive into the deliciousness!
👩🍳 Method
Chop it up!
First, wash all your fruits and veggies really well. Grab a chopping board and a sharp knife, then start by chopping the gem lettuce (or any small lettuce you have) into small, bite-sized pieces. This helps everything mix evenly later. Next, slice the celery into thin half-moons for extra crunch. Now grab your green apple don’t peel it! The skin adds color and texture. Cut it into small cubes. Finally, slice the grapes in half so they’re easier to eat and mix well with the other ingredients. Put all the chopped items into a large mixing bowl.
Toast those nuts.
If you don’t already have toasted pecans, it’s time to toast them. Place a handful of pecans in a dry frying pan (no oil needed!) and set it over medium heat. Stir them around for 2–3 minutes until they smell nutty and you see a light golden color. Be sure to keep an eye on them they can burn quickly! Once they’re toasted, remove them from the pan and let them cool before adding them to your salad.
Make the dressing.
While the nuts are cooling, let’s make the creamy dressing. Take a small jar or a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt, 1 teaspoon of mayo, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of mustard, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. If you’re using a jar with a lid, shake it up until everything is blended into a smooth, creamy dressing. If you’re using a bowl, just stir it with a spoon or small whisk until everything is well mixed.
Mix it all together.
Now it’s time to bring it all together! Pour the dressing over the chopped fruits and veggies in your mixing bowl. Toss everything gently with a spoon or tongs until the dressing coats every bite. Then sprinkle your toasted (and cooled!) pecans on top for the perfect nutty crunch. You can mix the pecans in or leave them on top for a pretty finish.
🧰 Necessary Tools
- Chopping board
- Sharp knife
- Mixing bowl
- Small jar (for the dressing)
- Spoon or tongs (for mixing)
🥗 Waldorf Salad (Crunchy, Sweet & Totally Yummy!)
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
servings10
minutes00
minutes10
minutesIngredients
1 gem lettuce (or a small head of lettuce)
1 stem of celery
1 green apple
20 grapes (any kind you like!)
A handful of toasted pecans
For the Dressing:
2 tablespoons natural yogurt
1 teaspoon mayo
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon mustard
Squeeze of lemon
Pinch of salt and pepper
Directions
- Chop it up! Start by chopping the lettuce, celery, apple, and grapes into bite-sized pieces.
- Toast those nuts. If your pecans aren’t toasted yet, you can toast them in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes until they smell nice and nutty.
- Make the dressing. In a small jar, mix the yogurt, mayo, garlic powder, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Give it a good shake or stir until it’s smooth.
- Mix it all together. Add all your chopped fruits and veggies into the bowl, pour the dressing on top, and toss it gently.
Notes
- Don’t skip the lemon juice! It helps keep the apple from turning brown.
- Chop everything into small pieces so you get a little of everything in each bite.
- Toast the pecans ahead of time so they’re cool when you add them to the salad (hot nuts can make the lettuce wilt!).
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve it chilled for the best flavor.
- Add grilled chicken on top to make it a full meal.
- Want more crunch? Add a few croutons or sunflower seeds!
🎉 Fun Fact
The Waldorf Salad was first made in 1896 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City! It became super famous because people loved how it combined fruit and veggies in a new way.
🥄 Conclusion
Waldorf Salad is a super simple but totally tasty dish that brings crunch, sweetness, and a little tang all in one bowl. It’s great for school lunches, picnics, or just a quick snack at home. I hope you give it a try and fall in love with this classic just like I did!
