The Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe is a timeless classic that perfectly balances crisp textures and fruity sweetness with a creamy dressing that brings everything together in a delightful harmony. This vibrant salad is bursting with fresh, juicy apples, crisp celery, luscious grapes, and crunchy walnuts, all enveloped in a luscious, velvety dressing that will make your taste buds dance. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing side dish or a light lunch, this recipe is guaranteed to brighten your table and impress anyone lucky enough to try it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, containing a single layer of smooth, creamy beige sauce with small dark specks mixed in. The sauce is spread evenly in the bottom center of the bowl, showing soft swirled textures that catch gentle light reflections. The background and surface under the bowl have a clean white marble look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe relies on simple, fresh ingredients that each play a crucial role in its irresistible flavor and texture combination. Each component is carefully chosen to elevate the salad’s crispness, sweetness, and creaminess to perfect balance.

Apples: Fresh, juicy apples provide a natural sweetness and crunchy texture essential to the salad’s signature character.
Celery: Finely chopped celery adds a refreshing crispness and a subtle bitterness that balances the fruitiness.
Walnuts: Chopped unshelled walnuts lend a satisfying crunch and a rich, earthy note to every bite.
Grapes: Seedless grapes, halved, bring bursts of juicy sweetness and beautiful color contrast.
Mayonnaise: Egg-free or plant-based mayonnaise creates a silky, creamy dressing that clings to every ingredient for maximum flavor.
Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and enhances the freshness of the fruit.
Salt: Just a pinch to highlight all the flavors without overpowering the salad.
Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to complement the tart apples and tangy lemon juice.
Black Pepper: A dash of ground black pepper introduces a subtle spice that elevates the entire dish.
Iceberg Lettuce Leaves: Optional, but perfect for serving this salad with a crisp, cool bed underneath.

How to Make Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Ingredients

Start by rinsing your apples thoroughly, then peel, core, and chop them into small, even cubes. This uniform cutting ensures each bite has the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Next, halve your seedless grapes, finely chop the celery stalks, and roughly chop the walnuts, making sure to use unsalted nuts for the best results.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing

In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise with freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, sugar, and ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients briskly until the dressing turns smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced between tangy and sweet. This dressing is the magic glue for the salad.

Step 3: Toss the Salad

Add the prepared apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts to the bowl with your dressing. Gently toss everything together, making sure each piece is evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Take care to mix lightly to preserve the crisp textures of the fruits and nuts.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

You can enjoy this salad immediately, but it tastes even better when chilled for a bit. Just before serving, place a handful of fresh iceberg lettuce leaves on your plate and spoon the salad on top. This adds an extra layer of crunch and freshness that is hard to resist.

How to Serve Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe

A white plate with a green rim holds a layer of large light green lettuce leaves forming a bed. On top is a creamy salad made of pale white cubes of chicken, sliced light green grapes, small light green celery pieces, and bits of brown walnuts, all mixed in a white sauce. A wooden spoon rests on the right side of the plate, partially under the salad. The plate is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a few extra walnut pieces on top adds a lovely touch of color and an inviting aroma. Not only do garnishes make the salad look prettier, but they also enhance the overall flavor experience.

Side Dishes

This Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, making for a light but satisfying meal. It also complements rich dishes like roasted meats or creamy soups, offering a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stylish presentation, serve the salad inside hollowed-out apples or beautiful crystal bowls. You can also layer it in a trifle dish alternating with greens for a visually appealing layered look that will wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover salad covered tightly in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors will meld beautifully, but to keep the walnuts and apples crisp, add any extra nuts just before serving the leftovers.

Freezing

This salad is not ideal for freezing due to the fresh fruits and creamy dressing, which can separate and become watery when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for short-term storage.

Reheating

Since this is a chilled salad, reheating is not recommended. Serve it cold and fresh for the best texture and flavor experience.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of nut in the Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe?

Absolutely! Unsalted pecans or almonds make excellent substitutes if you don’t have walnuts on hand. Just make sure to toast them lightly for extra flavor.

Is it possible to make this salad vegan?

Yes! Simply use an egg-free or plant-based mayonnaise, which are widely available, and ensure all other ingredients are fresh and plant-based for a fully vegan-friendly dish.

How do I keep the apples from turning brown in the salad?

A light toss with lemon juice not only enhances flavor but also helps prevent apples from oxidizing and browning quickly, keeping your salad looking fresh and vibrant.

Can I prepare the Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe in advance?

You can prepare the components ahead of time, but it’s best to toss the salad with dressing and assemble it just before serving to maintain the crunch and freshness.

What variations can I try with this recipe?

Feel free to add ingredients like seedless raisins, chopped fresh herbs like mint, or a dash of cinnamon for a new twist. You can also experiment with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a tangier salad.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe is a joyous celebration of textures and flavors that is as satisfying to make as it is to eat. It’s fresh, crisp, and rich all at once—a perfect addition to any meal or a lovely light lunch on its own. I truly encourage you to try this classic recipe and share it with those you love. Once you do, it’s likely to become one of your treasured go-to salads too!

Creamy Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes, Celery, and Walnuts Recipe