Waldorf Salad with Candied Walnuts is a classic salad from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It dates back to the 19th century.
History of the Waldorf Salad
This salad is known for its simple yet elegant combination of fresh ingredients. It typically includes apples, celery, walnuts, and mayonnaise-based dressing.
Oscar Tschirky, the famous maître d’hôtel, created the Waldorf salad. The original version had only apples, celery and mayonnaise. Over the past century, this dish has changed quite a bit. Now it includes nuts for texture, grapes for sweetness, and yogurt or sour cream to lighten the dressing.
People typically serve this salad chilled. You can enjoy it as a side dish or a light meal on its own. It’s one of my favourite meals to eat alone.
The evolution of a recipe
Over the years, the Waldorf salad has evolved. Variations now include grapes, raisins, chicken, or even yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Despite these changes, the salad stays true to its simple roots. Its refreshing mix of flavours and textures creates a celebration in your mouth.
Waldorf Salad fun facts
This salad is popular during the holiday season. People often serve it at Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas parties as a festive side dish.
It’s been featured in various cooking competitions and challenges. Chefs have created innovative versions of this classic dish.
You can present this salad in unique ways. Try serving it in individual lettuce cups, stuffing it into wraps or sandwiches, or even adding it to sushi rolls.
Looking for more tasty salad, recipes, try these:
Cretan Dakos Salad
Watermelon, Herb & Cucumber Salad
Roasted Chickpea and Asparagus Salad
Italian Pasta Salad
Iceberg Wedge Salad with Bacon
Orange and Fennel Salad with Sicilian Olives
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Ingredients
Candied Walnuts
- 1 egg white
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup walnuts, whole halves
Dressing
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- pinch salt and pepper
Salad
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup red grapes, sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, diced
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, torn or rough chopped
- 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Stilton cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup candied walnuts
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- Boston or Bibb lettuce for serving
Instructions
Candied Walnuts
- Preheat oven to 300 F. In a bowl lightly whisk egg. Add sugar and salt. Mix in the walnuts and pour onto a lined baking sheet. Spread out into a single layer. Baked for 15-17 minutes tossing halfway. Remove from oven and cool.
Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Salad
- In a large bowl add celery, grapes, apple, lettuce and parsley. Pour in dressing and toss to combine.
- Arrange Boston lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Carefully scoop on the salad. Sprinkle on cheese, walnuts and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.
This was delicious! Loved the candied walnuts- I could have eaten a bowlful! Will definitely be making again.
Flavorful and delicious salad recipe. Thanks alot for sharing.
The combination of crisp apples, crunchy celery, and sweet candied walnuts was a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The dressing was light and refreshing.
Candied walnuts changes everything with a salad, taking it to the next level with all the other flavors and textures. Thanks!
This waldorf salad was incredible. Its my first time trying it with pomegranate and that added a delightfully flavorful crunch, so good!
Just noticed that apples are not mentioned in the ingredients.
I am going to make this for Christmas Day. Looks fantastic. Thank you.
Hi Michelle, thank you for catching that! I was doing some updates on the recipe and somehow this ingredient was left out. Hope you loved it!