Waldorf Salad With Celery, Apples, Walnuts and Raisins
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What could be better than a restaurant-fancy salad that is simple, easy and quick to put together, tastes even better than it looks, and is healthy for you? Meet Waldorf Salad with Celery, Apples, Walnuts and Raisins!
Created at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1893, not by a chef but by the maître d’hôtel, Oscar Tschirky, the Waldorf salad was an instant success. The Waldorf-Astoria has been serving it ever since. It came to life in the heyday of cold salads, when midday meals touched the edge of the afternoon, and sweet salads were all the rage. In the years since its birth, it’s been tweaked and reinvented and added to, but I think this simple, original, classic version is still the best!
Waldorf Salad is a favorite around here, particularly in the fall when apples and walnuts are in season. It’s especially popular around the holidays, gracing many a Thanksgiving and holiday spread. It just seems fancy, although it’s simple and easy to make – a blessing at those busy holiday meal-times.
Not only does Waldorf Salad with celery, apples, walnuts and raisins compliment holiday fare, but it goes well with just about anything from sandwiches to a Sunday roast. It’s what every salad should be – fresh, crisp, crunchy, and sweet. It’s refreshing and a great side dish for any meal. And best part? You need only 10 minutes to throw it all together!
When you need a last-minute side dish, I’m betting you probably have all 5 ingredients on hand. And it’s such a nice change from the same old lettuce and tomato tossed salads! And did I mention its healthy and good for you, too? Waldorf Salad has lots of fiber, and is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It’s also a good source of Vitamin C, Manganese, and Potassium, and those walnuts are a “superfood” – rich in fiber, protein, essential fats, vitamins and antioxidants.
Tip: Use a firm, crisp and slightly tart apple like a Granny Smith or a Honey Crisp or Gala. Even better, for eye and taste appeal, use a combination of apples, like a green-skinned and tart Granny Smith, and a sweeter, red or red and yellow skinned one, like a Gala or Honeycrisp. If you aren’t serving the salad right away, toss the apple with a little bit of lemon juice to prevent it from browning. If you don’t like or don’t have walnuts, substitute another type of nut, for example pecans or almonds.
If you like Waldorf Salad, you will also love these other amazing salads:
Easy Potato Salad – this potato salad is truly the best ever! Once you try it, you’ll never make it any other way!
Pear and Candied Walnut Salad – so easy to make and looks so fancy, this salad is perfect for company!
Roasted Beet Salad – super colorful and so delicious! Beets, oranges, feta and parsley are truly eye-catching together!
Mexican Corn Salad – this fresh corn salad is super addictive! Cheesy sweet corn – can you imagine?
Cranberry Pecan Spinach Salad – another universal favorite! I always make this salad for parties, everyone loves it!
Waldorf Salad With Celery, Apples, Walnuts and Raisins
Ingredients
- 6 celery stalks chopped
- 2 apples chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup mayo
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix until evenly coated with mayo.
Notes
Nutrition
Melanie Melanie Melanie. Why use mayo when you can use plain yogurt?!!! I loose the ultra sugary raisins & use unsweetened pineapple.
Of course you can use yogurt for the dressing :) Your healthy substitutions are great!
I have put grapes in Waldorf salad.