Best 3 Original Waldorf Salad Recipes

Indulge in the timeless classic, Waldorf salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that has captivated taste buds for over a century. Originating from the legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, this iconic dish combines crisp apples, crunchy celery, toasted walnuts, and juicy grapes, all enveloped in a creamy and tangy mayonnaise dressing. Variations of this beloved salad abound, offering a versatile canvas for culinary creativity. From the traditional to the contemporary, each recipe promises a unique taste experience, catering to diverse preferences and dietary needs. Explore the Original Waldorf Salad, a testament to the enduring charm of this culinary masterpiece, alongside its delectable variations, including a Vegan Waldorf Salad, a refreshing and plant-based rendition, a Waldorf Chicken Salad, a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, and a Waldorf Pasta Salad, a vibrant and colorful take on the classic. Embark on a culinary journey through time and taste, discovering the timeless appeal and endless possibilities of the Waldorf salad.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

THE ORIGINAL WALDORF SALAD

The Original Waldorf Salad image

"Millions who never visited the Waldorf owe him a debt," The New York Times wrote in 1950, upon Oscar Tschirky's death. Mr. Tschirky, a Swiss immigrant who became known as "Oscar of the Waldorf," is credited with creating this piece of Americana in 1893, a timeless dish whose popularity has spread far past the Waldorf's exclusive doors and into home kitchens. Over time, variations would include blue cheese, raisins and chopped walnuts, which can be added here alongside the celery and apples. But the original is an exercise in simplicity: four ingredients that have lived on for over a century.

Provided by The New York Times

Categories dinner, easy, lunch, quick, weekday, salads and dressings, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 10m

Yield 1 serving (as a main course)

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1 medium ripe apple
1 stalk celery, chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Salt and pepper
2 cups lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces

Steps:

Peel apple and cut into halves. Remove core and slice halves 1/4-inch thick. Reserve 4 slices. Cut remaining slices into thin strips.
In a medium bowl, mix celery, mayonnaise and apple strips; season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange on lettuce and top with apple slices.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 517, UnsaturatedFat 38 grams, Carbohydrate 30 grams, Fat 45 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 909 milligrams, Sugar 20 grams

WALDORF SALAD

Waldorf Salad image

I grew up blocks away from the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. I remember walking by the heralded building as a kid and wondering if all the guests inside were eating nothing but Waldorf salad. I imagined the hotel must have needed a lot of grapes, walnuts and mayonnaise! When I first made the salad as a young chef in Larry Forgione's kitchen decades later, I marveled at how good this salad can be when it's treated with care. A small cheffy note: The confectioners' sugar on the grapes brings out more of their vibrant color when you roast them, making for a tasty, delicate balancing act between them and the lettuce on one side and the roasted chicken, crunchy walnuts and mayonnaise-style dressing on the other. I like to mix this salad together at the very last minute so the flavors are all still independently delicious and therefore even better when eaten all together.

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Categories main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 cup walnut pieces
1 1/2 cups seedless red grapes
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Grated zest and juice of 1 large lemon
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, plus extra if needed
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 medium heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated
1 large Granny Smith apple, cored, halved and thinly sliced
4 or 5 small inner celery stalks with leaves (use the very tender yellowish stalks), cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces
One 3 1/2-pound fully cooked whole chicken, meat torn into bite-size pieces (about 4 cups)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toast the walnuts: Place the walnuts on a rimmed quarter sheet pan and toast them in the oven until they are fragrant and browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Roast the grapes: In a medium bowl, toss the grapes with the confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Arrange the grapes in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan and bake until their skins start to wrinkle, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the grapes from the oven and set them aside to cool.
Make the dressing: To a blender, add the lemon zest and juice, vinegar, mustard and granulated sugar. Blend until smooth and, with the blender running, slowly and steadily add the remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil. Taste for seasoning, adding more vinegar or salt if needed. If the flavor is too strong or the dressing is too thick (or separates a little), blend in a splash of cool water.
Assemble the salad: Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Toss the apples and celery ribs with a some of the dressing in a large bowl; set aside. Scatter the chicken over the lettuce, followed by the toasted walnuts, and drizzle with some of the dressing. Scatter the roasted grapes and dressed apples and celery over the top. Drizzle with more dressing and scatter the inner celery leaves over the top.

WALDORF SALAD

Waldorf Salad image

In this healthy rendition of the classic salad, nonfat yogurt replaces mayonnaise. It also includes fewer walnuts -- and these are toasted to bring out their flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 red apple, such as McIntosh or Red Delicious, unpeeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
1 green apple, such as Granny Smith or Crispin, unpeeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
2 stalks celery, cut into thin half-moons
3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) red grapes
3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) green grapes
1 lemon
6 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 bunch (about 1 pound) Bibb or Boston lettuce, washed and torn into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Chives, for garnish

Steps:

Place apples, celery, and grapes in a medium bowl, and toss with juice of half the lemon. In another bowl, whisk together yogurt, mustard, honey, and juice of remaining half lemon. Pour half of the dressing over the apple mixture, tossing to combine. Serve over greens, drizzling remaining dressing over salad. Garnish the salad with chopped walnuts and snipped chives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 82 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 3 g, Sodium 46 g

Tips:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make all the difference in the flavor of your salad.
Don't overcook the chicken. Chicken should be cooked just until it is cooked through, or it will become dry and tough.
Chop the celery and apples into small pieces. This will help them to blend well with the other ingredients.
Use a light hand when dressing the salad. You don't want to overpower the flavors of the other ingredients.
Serve the salad immediately. Waldorf salad is best enjoyed fresh.

Conclusion:

Waldorf salad is a classic American dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its combination of sweet, sour, and crunchy ingredients, Waldorf salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering.