• 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
Logo
  • Ree's Life
  • Food & Recipes
  • Weddings
  • Fall Recipes
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
Subscribe
sign in
  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
1 Rating
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
the pioneer woman's waldorf salad recipe

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
  • Ambrosia Salad
  • Carrot Ribbon Salad
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Salads

the pioneer woman's chicken salad recipe

15 Best Chicken Salad Recipes

the pioneer woman's chicken caesar salad wraps.

Make These Easy Wraps For Back-To-School Lunches

best salad recipes

25 Best Salad Recipes

school lunch ideas

These School Lunch Ideas Are All Kid-Approved

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
the pioneer woman's mushroom salad

This Easy Mushroom Salad Gets Better with Time

pioneer woman tex mex chicken caesar salad recipe

How to Make Easy Tex-Mex Chicken Caesar Salad

the pioneer woman's italian pasta salad recipe

This Classic Crowd-Pleaser is Always a Good Idea!

green goddess recipes

15 Best Green Goddess Recipes That Go Beyond Salad

the pioneer woman's fried green tomato caprese recipe

Upgrade Your Caprese with Fried Green Tomatoes

fall salad recipes

Fall Salads to Make the Most of Harvest Season

the pioneer woman's tuna salad recipe

Ree's Best Tuna Salad Is Here to Save Lunchtime

the pioneer woman's grape salad recipe

This Retro Grape Salad Never Goes Out of Style

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.

©2025 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