Simple Apple Waldorf Salad – You Have To Try This!

This Apple Waldorf salad recipe has been a favorite in my family for generations! 

This classic salad was first created in New York City by Oscar Tschirky, original maître d’hôtel of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and has been my favorite salad for as long as I can remember!

I’m all about the apple pie and apple strudel during the fall season. But, this apple salad is a tradition around here… And a great addition to your holiday table and regular recipe rotation!

Classic Waldorf Salad Recipe

Fall is the perfect time of year to make a fresh Waldorf salad when apples are coming off the trees… It’s a perfect fall fest recipe… But it’s so good and so easy to make that it’s perfect for any special meal.

Maybe it was the marshmallows as a kid… Maybe it’s the combination of tart apples, crunchy celery and nuts in a sweet and tangy creamy dressing. Whatever it is… Kids and adults love this classic fruit salad recipe.

How to Make Apple Waldorf Salad

• This salad is so easy to make! You only need 1 large bowl and one small bowl for mixing the dressing!
• Chop apples small placing them in your salad bowl. (about 1/2 inch by 1 inch. 
• Then sprinkle them with a tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate (or fresh lemon juice).
• Dice your celery and add to the salad bowl.
• Chop pecans or toasted walnuts and add to other ingredients.
• Add mini marshmallows
• In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients and mix well till the granulated sugar is dissolved.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss till all ingredients are well incorporated.

Apples

I like to use two different kinds of crisp apples, but if you only have one kind of apple it will still be great! My favorite type of green apples to use are the granny smith apple variety for its tart flavor, and honey crisp for its sweetness! I also think using green and red apples makes this salad stand out beautifully. 

Pink Lady apples would be another good choice for a good Waldorf Salad because they are nice and tart crispy apples too!

Lemon Juice

Sprinkle diced apples with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate. This gives the salad a nice flavor but it also keeps the apples from browning. Most types of apples will brown after cutting them as they are exposed to the air, the lemon juice stops this from happening!

Pecans or Walnuts

You can choose either Pecan or Walnuts in this recipe. Walnuts are a bit bitter, but great flavor! Pecans are a bit sweeter. Both give great flavor to this salad so use your favorite!

Celery

I like to chop my celery small for this recipe. I cut each stalk vertically down the entire length of the stalk and then chop it into small 1/4 inch pieces.

Marshmallows!

Some original Waldorf salad recipe versions call for red grapes, and this one uses mini marshmallows instead.

I love the puffy little sweetness that marshmallows add. I love how they partially dissolve in the creamy dressing and add a sweetness that gets mixed into the apples, celery, and nuts.

Juicy Grapes

Juicy red grapes are one of the main in the first Waldorf Salad. You can use red or green grapes. (I use mini marshmallows instead of grapes.)

Creamy Waldorf Salad Dressing – Original Recipe

This dressing is creamy, tangy, and sweet. It mixes with marshmallows and covers the apples, walnuts or pecans, and celery with a creamy slightly tangy sweet treat that brings everything together so perfectly! 

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice & lemon zest of 1 lemon.
• 1/2 cup mayo mayo, sour cream, miracle whip, vanilla greek yogurt, plain greek yogurt.
• 2 tablespoon granulated white sugar

Recipe Card

If you try my recipe, I’d really appreciate a star rating or a review in the comments below! Thank you so much!

How to Store Leftovers

This salad is still good on day 2! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

Pairing

You can serve this apple salad on a bed of lettuce or on its own, and it goes great with so many main dishes…. Or all by itself! I serve apple Waldorf salad with:

BBQ! Chicken, Beef or Pork BBQ goes very well with a Waldorf salad!

Rump Roast Beef

Sirloin Tip Roast!

Oven Roasted Boston Butt Roast

BBQ Country Style Pork Ribs in the Oven.

Soft Sourdough Rolls!