• Ree's Life
  • Food and Recipes
  • Home and Life
  • Holiday
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • News and Entertainment
  • Giveaways
  • Subscribe
  • New: Ree's Best Family Meals
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
  • About The Pioneer Woman
  • Newsletter
  • Follow
Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
Skip to Content
Newsletter Sign UpNewsletter
sign in
Subscribe
Logo
sign in
Subscribe
Search
Logo
  • Easy RecipesDown
  • Occasions
  • Ree's Life
  • HomeDown
  • ShoppingDown
  • Just For FunDown
  • About Us
  • My RecipesMy Recipes
  • NewsletterNewsletter
  • Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
sign in
Subscribe
  • Easy Recipes
  • Occasions
  • Ree's Life
  • Home
  • Shopping
  • Just For Fun
  • About Us
  • More
  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

It's a retro classic full of crunchy, refreshing ingredients.

By Leah PerezUpdated: Mar 28, 2025
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillStar Fill
5
2 Ratings
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe
the pioneer woman's waldorf salad recipe
Will Dickey
Yields:
5 - 6 c.
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Video poster

Experience a taste of timeless elegance with this refreshing Waldorf salad. The beloved lunchtime staple is celebrated for its simplicity and balance of flavors. Crisp celery is paired with two types of apples and toasted walnuts, delivering satisfying crunch in every bite. Tossed in a creamy, lemony dressing, it's both light and flavorful—perfect for picnics, potlucks, and tea time. One forkful and you’ll understand why it's been loved for over a century!

What is the origin of Waldorf salad?

This famous salad was created by Oscar Tschirky, the first maitre d' of The Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City, for a St. Mary's Hospital for Children charity ball in the 1890s.

What does Waldorf salad contain?

The original was made with just apples, celery, and mayonnaise, but this salad has a modern spin with the addition of grapes, raisins, and toasted walnuts. Mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, and lemon juice make for a tangy, subtly sweet dressing. Waldorf salad is traditionally served on a bed of lettuce for added elegance.

What nuts can you use instead of walnuts?

If you'd rather skip the walnuts, opt for toasted pecans instead! You'll still get the nice toasty flavor and delicious crunch.

What are the best apples for Waldorf salad?

This recipe calls for two different types of apples: Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Granny Smith apples are more tart and Honeycrisp have a sweeter flavor. The combination makes for perfectly balanced spring salads!

Can Waldorf salad be made in advance?

Yes, it will stay fresh for up to two days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbsp. plain yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, diced
  • 1 medium Honeycrisp apple, diced
  • 3 ribs celery, sliced
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, cut in half
  • 3/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins (optional)
  • Boston bibb lettuce or butter lettuce leaves, for serving

Directions

    1. Step 1In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Fold in the apples, celery, grapes, walnuts, and raisins, if using. Taste the salad for lemon juice and salt, adding more as necessary.
    2. Step 2Serve chilled, spooned over lettuce leaves, if you like.

Tip: Spruce up the salad with the addition of chopped fresh parsley, mint, or basil.

Love this recipe? Try one of these next!

  • Chicken Waldorf Salad
    40 mins
  • Ambrosia Salad
    15 mins
  • Carrot Ribbon Salad
    30 mins
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Salads

chicken caesar salad wraps

School Lunch Ideas Kids Will Actually Want to Eat

Easy Chicken Salad Recipes

10 Chicken Salads for a Fresh Summer Lunch

best cucumber recipes

Cucumber Recipes With a Cool, Refreshing Crunch

the pioneer woman's broccoli caesar salad

12 Creative Caesar Salad-Inspired Recipes

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Crispy chicken with pesto and a fresh tomato and vegetable salad on a floral tablecloth.

Pesto Chicken with Chopped Caprese Salad

45 mins
bean soup

These Easy Recipes Start with a Can of Beans

grilled corn and avocado salad in wooden bowl on floral tablecloth

Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad

30 mins
A vibrant pasta salad with vegetables and herbs served in a white bowl, alongside sliced tomatoes and fried chicken.

Cowboy Pasta Salad

35 mins
creamy cucumber salad in a bowl

Creamy Cucumber Salad

25 mins
Salad with watermelon, tomatoes, and mozzarella

No Lettuce? These Salads Don’t Have a Single Leaf

mexican street corn pasta salad in a bowl best corn recipes

Street Corn Pasta Salad

30 mins
Salad with watermelon, tomatoes, and mozzarella

Watermelon, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad

20 mins
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
SubscribeAbout The Pioneer WomanOther Hearst SubscriptionsNewsletter
A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2026 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSitemap
Cookies Choices