Classic Waldorf Salad

A Classic Waldorf Salad is a cool, creamy, and crunchy summer side dish that goes wonderfully with barbecue and makes a great light lunch. This is a perfect salad for National Walnut Day!

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I like to serve this salad with Burnt Ends (aka Meat Candy), Tangy Green Bean Potato Salad, Brown Sugar And Bourbon Baked Beans, Texas Pea Salad, and Crunchy Cornbread Waffles for a plant-heavy buffet meal.

HISTORY OF THE WALDORF SALAD

The salad was created for a children’s hospital charity ball held at the Waldorf Hotel on March 14, 1893, by a Swiss immigrant named Oscar Tschirky. The simple salad became an instant hit, leading the Waldorf’s executive chef to add it to the hotel’s menu.

INGREDIENTS FOR A CLASSIC WALDORF SALAD

Plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
Light brown sugar – you could also use granulated sugar, Stevia, honey, or maple syrup
Lemon juice or lime juice – the citrus will keep the apples from turning brown
Salt
Apples – I used Granny Smith, but any apple that you enjoy eating works well
Celery
Grapes – red or green, but always seedless
Romaine lettuce leaves – remove the tough stem and tear the leaves into bite-size pieces
Walnuts – you could also do pecans
Fresh parsley

HOW DO I MAKE THIS SALAD?

First, mix up the dressing by whisking all of the ingredients together.

Next, slice and dice the apples, celery, grapes, nuts, and parsley.

Toss the dressing and the fruit/vegetable mixture.

Serve chilled on a bed of lettuce.

VARIATIONS

Make the salad a complete meal by tossing in some grilled chicken or shrimp
Up the nutritional content by tossing in some pear, dates, pine nuts, radish, etc.
Make it spicy by stirring in Cajun seasoning into the dressing
By adding dried fruit like raisins or craisins, you add an interesting texture to the salad
Chop the ingredients finer and use as a filling in a croissant