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Waldorf salad is a timeless classic featuring fresh, crisp ingredients. Tender chicken, tart apples, crunchy celery, and toasty walnuts come together in a tangy yogurt-based dressing for a salad that will make your taste buds dance. Each component that provides a unique combination of flavor and texture in every bite! Plus, it’s the perfect Waldorf salad recipe for those looking for a lighter version that does not use mayo.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Waldorf Salad with Yogurt
- Ingredients to Make A Waldorf Salad
- How to Make Waldorf Salad With Chicken
- Tips for Making the Best Waldorf Salad Recipe
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- What to Serve with Waldorf Apple Salad
- How to Store Waldorf salad
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Salad Recipes:
- Waldorf Salad Recipe
This Waldorf apple salad is a renowned classic originating at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. It features notes of savory and sweet and is usually served in a sandwich or over a bed of greens. Over time, the Waldorf salad has become a beloved choice for both casual and formal occasions, and for a good reason. This salad has a lot to offer!
Why You’ll Love This Waldorf Salad with Yogurt
- Creamy without the mayo. Traditional Waldorf salad calls for mayonnaise, but we’ve lightened things up in this recipe. Instead, Greek yogurt takes center stage to create that perfectly creamy and wholesome dressing.
- Quick and Easy to Make. This Waldorf Salad is a no-fuss recipe. Just chop, mix, and serve! It’s perfect for those busy weekdays when you need a fast and satisfying meal.
- Balanced Meal in One Bowl. With protein from chicken and Greek yogurt, fiber from fruits, and healthy fats from walnuts, this salad has all the nutritional components for a balanced meal. It’s healthy and filling!
- Adaptable to Taste. The best thing about this Waldorf Salad is its adaptability. You can adjust the ingredients according to your preference, making it your very own personalized salad!
Ingredients to Make A Waldorf Salad
- Cooked chicken breast: This is the main source of protein in the salad, making it filling and satisfying. It also adds a nice savory flavor to balance out the sweetness of the fruits.
- Celery: Crisp and refreshing celery brings a wonderful crunch to the salad and adds a subtle hint of earthiness.
- Red grapes: Juicy red grapes provide a burst of sweetness and a pleasant contrast of flavor and texture, balancing the overall taste of the salad.
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add a satisfying crunch and nuttiness to the salad. It also adds a complexity of flavor and texture, contrasting nicely with the softer ingredients.
- Green apple: A classic Waldorf salad isn’t complete without the refreshing tartness that a green apple brings. It is crisp, tangy, and lively and perfectly balances the sweetness of the grapes.
- Green leaf lettuce: This is used mostly for serving and makes a beautifully vibrant backdrop to hold the creamy salad together.
- Dressing: A creamy Greek yogurt dressing with lemon zest, juice, and salt and pepper ties this salad recipe together. Learn how to zest a lemon without the bitterness.
How to Make Waldorf Salad With Chicken
- In a large bowl, add yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
- Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Add diced chicken, celery, green apple, grapes, and walnuts to the salad dressing.
- Fold the Waldorf salad ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
Tips for Making the Best Waldorf Salad Recipe
- Use your favorite method to cook chicken breast. Oven-baked chicken breast and air fryer chicken breast both work. Forgot to defrost the chicken? No problem – find out how to cook frozen chicken.
- Chill the salad before serving. Pop the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and gives a better taste and texture overall.
- Start with dry ingredients. Wash your fresh ingredients and dry them well to ensure no excess moisture is present.
- Consider various serving options. Serve as this post suggests, on a bed of lettuce, or have fun with it! You can tuck your Waldorf apple salad into lettuce wraps, make sandwiches, or even serve in individual glasses for an elegant and unique presentation.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Toast the walnuts. For an elevated depth of flavor, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and golden brown. This really enhances the nutty flavor and takes this salad to the next level.
- Revamp the salad with a unique shredded twist. Classic Waldorf salad is known for diced ingredients, but for a different visual appeal – try shredded chicken, julienned apples, thin strips of celery, and quartered grapes lengthwise.
- Swap out grapes for raisins. This adds a lovely chewiness and a different texture than grapes would. Raisins take on the dressing well, absorbing the creamy and tangy flavors, making them a delightful addition to this salad.
- Try other nuts. Feel free to swap walnuts with toasted almonds, pecans, or pistachios for a unique twist and flavor.
- Add cheese. A little diced cheddar cheese will add a wonderful creaminess and a hint of savory flavor. For a finishing touch, you can also garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or feta cheese.
What to Serve with Waldorf Apple Salad
- Grilled Baked Potatoes
- Cheese Manakeesh
- Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts
- Grilled Mozzarella Sandwich
How to Store Waldorf salad
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long will Waldorf salad last in the fridge?
When properly stored, a Waldorf salad lasts up to 2 days in the fridge. It’s important to note that the grapes and apples will begin releasing natural juices, so the overall texture of the salad will be affected over time. Give a quick stir and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can prepare this salad and dressing up to 2 days in advance and store them separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, toss the salad ingredients together with the yogurt dressing and enjoy!
Absolutely! Select lettuce with a large surface area that will withstand the moisture from the salad. Other great options are butter lettuce (Bibb lettuce), romaine, and red leaf lettuce.
Yes, this salad can be made vegan. Omit the chicken completely or swap it with vegetarian protein alternatives such as oven-baked tofu or chickpeas. Instead of Greek yogurt, use dairy-free yogurt or vegan-friendly mayonnaise to make the dressing.
Certainly! That would be an excellent way to use up any leftover roasted chicken. Dice it the best you can and toss it with the other Waldorf salad ingredients.
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing salad for summer gatherings, a tasty addition to your daily meals, or a nostalgic taste of culinary history, the Waldorf salad is a timeless choice you won’t regret making! It’s quick, it’s easy, and the recipe can easily be adapted to match your preferences. So, next time you’re in the mood for something light yet fulfilling, give this Waldorf Salad recipe a try. You might just find your new favorite dish. Enjoy!
More Salad Recipes:
- Italian Yogurt Pasta Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Tabbouleh Salad
- Chopped Tahini Salad
- Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad
- Turkey Salad
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Tex-Mex Caviar
- Vegan Macaroni Salad
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Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast diced
- 3 celery stalks diced
- 1 cup red seedless grapes halved
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 green apple diced
- green leaf lettuce for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add chicken, celery, grapes, walnuts and apple and fold until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve over a bed of green leaf lettuce.
Notes
- Chill salad in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Use your favorite method to cook chicken breast, or use leftover roasted chicken.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
