Creamy Waldorf Salad Recipe

Name: Creamy Waldorf Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups diced apples; 1 ½ cups red seedless grapes, halved; 1 cup pineapple pieces; 1 cup celery, sliced; 1 cup walnuts or pecans; Bibb lettuce, for serving; Zest from 1 lemon, optional; 3 tablespoons mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, plain; 2 teaspoons granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon poppy seeds; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; ¼ cup parsley, chopped

This delightful Creamy Waldorf Salad is a perfect blend of crisp fruits, crunchy celery, and toasty nuts, all brought together with a luscious, slightly sweet dressing. It’s a refreshing dish that comes together in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or as a side for your favorite meals. The combination of flavors and textures creates a memorable salad that’s both satisfying and light.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick to Make: Seriously, 15 minutes is all you need! No cooking required—just chop, mix, and serve.
Versatile: Works beautifully as a side dish, light lunch, or even a refreshing snack on hot days.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This salad actually tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle in the fridge.
Crowd-Pleaser: The balance of sweet fruits, crunchy veggies, and creamy dressing appeals to almost everyone.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Apples: Provides that essential crunch and sweet-tart flavor that’s the backbone of any Waldorf salad. Choose crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best results.
Red Seedless Grapes: Adds bursts of juicy sweetness and beautiful color contrast. Halving them makes them the perfect bite-size.
Pineapple Pieces: A tropical twist on the classic recipe that brings bright, tangy flavor to balance the creaminess.
Celery: Delivers that signature crunch and slight peppery flavor that cuts through the sweetness of the fruits.
Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base for the dressing. Use real mayonnaise for the richest flavor.
Greek Yogurt: Adds tanginess and creaminess while lightening up the dressing. The protein boost is a nice bonus!
Sugar: Just enough to enhance the natural sweetness of the fruits without overwhelming.
Poppy Seeds: These tiny seeds add subtle crunch and visual interest to the dressing.
Parsley: Brings fresh, herbaceous notes and a pop of color.
Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps prevent the apples from browning.
Walnuts or Pecans: Provides essential toasty crunch and nutty flavor. Toast them lightly for even more flavor.
Lemon Zest: An optional ingredient that adds intense citrusy aroma without additional moisture.
Bibb Lettuce: Creates an elegant serving vessel with its soft, buttery leaves.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Protein-Packed Version

Add diced chicken breast or turkey for a more substantial main dish salad.

Fruit Swaps

Try using pears instead of apples, or swap in dried cranberries for some of the grapes.

Nut Alternatives

Allergic to walnuts or pecans? Try sunflower seeds or pepitas for that essential crunch.

Sweeter Dressing

Replace the sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different dimension of sweetness.

How to Make Creamy Waldorf Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit and Vegetables

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced apples, halved red grapes, pineapple pieces, and sliced celery. Make sure all pieces are relatively uniform in size for the perfect bite.

Step 2: Mix the Dressing

In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sugar, poppy seeds, and lemon juice. Stir everything together until completely smooth and well incorporated.

Step 3: Combine and Coat

Pour the creamy dressing over your fruit and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until all pieces are evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 4: Add the Nuts

Stir half of the walnuts or pecans directly into the salad. This allows some nuts to absorb the dressing flavors while maintaining some of their crunch.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the remaining nuts over the top of the salad for presentation. If using, add the lemon zest for an extra pop of flavor. Arrange Bibb lettuce leaves on plates and spoon the Waldorf salad on top.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Apple Selection: Choose firm, crisp apples that won’t get mushy. If you like a more tart flavor, go for Granny Smith; for sweeter notes, try Honeycrisp or Fuji.
Nut Toasting: For deeper flavor, lightly toast your nuts in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes before adding them to the salad.
Dressing Consistency: If your dressing seems too thick, add a touch more lemon juice. Too thin? Add a bit more mayo or yogurt.
Prep Strategy: Cut the apples last and toss them immediately with the lemon juice to prevent browning if you’re not mixing the salad right away.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This salad works beautifully alongside roast chicken, grilled salmon, or a classic sandwich for lunch.

Elegant Presentation

For a dinner party, serve individual portions in lettuce cups or on small salad plates with additional fresh herbs as garnish.

Buffet Style

For potlucks or family gatherings, bring the lettuce cups separately and let people build their own salad boats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Waldorf salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually develop and improve over the first 24 hours!

Make-Ahead Tips

You can prepare all components separately up to a day ahead—store the cut fruits and vegetables in one container (with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning), the dressing in another, and the nuts separately to maintain their crunch. Combine everything just before serving.

Refreshing Leftovers

If the salad seems to have lost some of its moisture after storing, simply add a small spoonful of yogurt and gently mix to refresh the creaminess.

FAQs

Can I make this Waldorf salad dairy-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the Greek yogurt with dairy-free yogurt or additional mayonnaise. There are also excellent plant-based mayonnaise options available that work perfectly in this recipe.

How do I keep my apples from turning brown?

The lemon juice in the dressing helps prevent browning, but if you’re prepping ahead, toss your diced apples in a little extra lemon juice before combining with other ingredients. You can also choose naturally resistant varieties like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Yes! Canned pineapple chunks or tidbits work wonderfully in this recipe. Just be sure to drain them well before adding to prevent excess liquid in your salad. If using canned pineapple in juice, you might reduce or omit the sugar in the dressing.

Is there a lighter version of this salad?

For a lighter version, replace all the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and use stevia or another sugar substitute instead of granulated sugar. You can also reduce the amount of nuts or use a lighter option like sliced almonds.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Waldorf Salad brings together the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy elements in every bite. It’s a timeless recipe that’s been reimagined with pineapple for an extra flavor dimension. Whether you’re serving it at a casual family dinner or bringing it to a special gathering, this 15-minute wonder proves that delicious doesn’t have to be difficult. Give it a try tonight—your taste buds will thank you!