Classic Waldorf Salad (Apples, Pineapple & Walnuts) is quick to prep, packed with crunchy texture, and perfect for a family-friendly side dish. This easy salad recipe combines diced Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples with pineapple tidbits, celery, golden raisins, and toasted walnuts, all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing and chilled to bring out the flavors.
If you like this salad, you may also love our Apple Grape Salad with Brown Sugar and Pecan Topping, Raspberry Cranberry Jello Salad, or our Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad.
Classic Waldorf Salad at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🧊 Optional Chill: 30 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🔥 Cook Method: No-Cook / Toss and Chill
- 🍽️ Cuisine: American Classic Salad
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Baked Ham, or Creamy Potato Soup
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
This salad has been in our rotation for years! It's quick, reliable, and always looks elegant when served in small glass bowls. ~Jami
Jump to:
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick Prep: It comes together in about 15 minutes and needs no cooking-ideal for busy weeknights.
- Perfect Texture: The blend of crisp apples, celery, and toasted walnuts creates satisfying texture and flavor with minimal effort.
- Simple Ingredients: It uses everyday ingredients (apples, pineapple, mayo, walnuts) that most home cooks already have on hand.
- Versatile: serve it chilled as a side or spoon it into lettuce cups to turn it into a light lunch.
Classic Waldorf Salad Ingredients
- Apples: Crisp, tart apples are best here. Our favorites are Grannysmith and Honeycrisp.
- Celery: Sliced thin for texture and freshness.
- Pineapple Tidbits: Drained well so the dressing doesn't get watery.
- Golden Raisins: Add chewy sweetness.
- Toasted Walnuts: Roughly chopped and toasted if desired.
- Mayonnaise: Or half mayonnaise, half Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Lemon Juice: Keeps the apple pieces from browning and adds brightness.
- Honey: Optional, to balance the tart apples.
- Butter Lettuce or Romaine Leaves: For an elegant presentation.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Mayonnaise: Use plain Greek yogurt (or half mayo, half yogurt) for a lighter dressing and adjust the honey if needed.
- Walnuts: Swap for pecans or sliced almonds.
- Apples: Replace with diced pear for seasonal variety.
- Presentation variation: Serve the salad in endive or butter lettuce leaves to turn a side dish into appetizer bites.
Save This Recipe 💌
Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!
How to Make a Classic Waldorf Salad
Step One: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or half mayonnaise, half Greek yogurt) and honey until smooth.
Step Two: Add the Prepared Ingredients
Add your prepped and diced apples, celery, pineapple tidbits, golden raisins, and chopped walnuts to the bowl.
Make sure everything is cut into bite-size pieces so each spoonful has a good mix of crunch and sweetness.
Step Three: Combine Everything
Use a large spoon or spatula to gently fold the dressing over the fruit and nuts until evenly coated.
Step Four: Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 30 minutes so the flavors can blend and the salad can chill.
Serve it on crisp lettuce leaves, in small glass bowls, or as part of a light lunch spread.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Use crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith) to maintain crunch.
✔️ DO Chill the salad before serving.
✔️ DO Add additional mayonnaise if needed.
Storage
Store the classic Waldorf salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's best served within 24 hours. Do not freeze.
Recipe FAQs
While "most famous" is subjective, the Waldorf salad is often cited as a classic American salad, alongside others like Caesar salad and Coleslaw, due to its long history and widespread recognition.
For optimal crunch and flavor contrast, use a mix of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweet apples like Honeycrisp. Avoid very soft or overly sweet apples that may collapse when dressed.
Yes! Prep and toss the ingredients, cover, and refrigerate for up to a few hours before serving. Avoid making it more than 24 hours ahead to retain the best texture.
More Fruit Recipes You'll Love ♥️
Did You Try This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and comment below. Don't forget to share it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest. Thank you! 💛
📖 Recipe
Classic Waldorf Salad
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 cups diced apples 1 Honeycrisp and 3 small Granny Smith, peeled if desired
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
- ¾ cup pineapple tidbits drained well
- ½ cup golden raisins
- ⅓ cup walnuts roughly chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise or substitute half with Greek yogurt for a lighter version
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey optional, for a hint of sweetness
- Butter lettuce or romaine leaves for serving
Instructions
- Dice the apples into bite-size pieces and toss with lemon juice to keep them from browning.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and honey (if using) until smooth.
- Add the apples, celery, pineapple, raisins, and walnuts. Gently fold until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving. Serve on crisp lettuce leaves or in small cups for a classic touch.
Save This Recipe 💌
Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!
Video
Notes
- Mayonnaise: Use plain Greek yogurt (or half mayo, half yogurt) for a lighter dressing and adjust the honey if needed.
- Walnuts: Swap for pecans or sliced almonds.
- Apples: Replace with diced pear for seasonal variety.
Jami Powell says
We love the big, juicy apple bites for extra crunch!