Classic Waldorf Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

Name: Classic Waldorf Salad with Grapes and Walnuts
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup walnut halves; 2 crisp red apples, cored and diced; 1 crisp green apple, cored and diced; 1 1/2 cups red seedless grapes, halved; 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp honey; 1/4 tsp fine salt; to taste black pepper; as needed butter lettuce leaves, for serving

Classic Waldorf salad with apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and lettuce

Alice Ross

Published: July 5, 2026

Categories: U.S., Fruits, Fruit Salads

Tags: Side Dish, Walnuts, No-Cook, Waldorf Salad, Apple Salad, Grape Salad, Classic American

Classic Waldorf Salad

A crisp apple, celery, grape, and walnut salad folded in a creamy lemon dressing for a chilled side dish or light lunch.

Prep Time:20 minTotal Time:20 minServings:6Difficulty:Easy

Classic Waldorf salad is all about clean crunch and a balanced creamy dressing. Sweet-tart apples, celery, juicy grapes, and toasted walnuts give the salad enough contrast to feel fresh rather than heavy, while a little lemon keeps the fruit bright.

This version uses mayonnaise for the familiar richness and plain Greek yogurt to lighten the dressing without losing body. The yogurt also adds a gentle tang that works well with the grapes and apples, especially after the salad chills for a short time.

Serve it as a holiday side, a picnic salad, or a simple lunch over tender lettuce leaves. It is best assembled close to serving time, but the dressing can be mixed ahead and the walnuts can be toasted in advance for faster prep.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:260 kcal

Protein:4 g

Carbs:24 g

Fat:18 g

Directions

1

Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant; transfer to a plate to cool.
2

Whisk the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl until smooth.
3

Add the diced apples to the dressing and toss right away so the lemon dressing coats the cut surfaces.
4

Fold in the grapes and celery until everything is evenly coated without crushing the fruit.
5

Roughly chop the cooled walnuts, then fold most of them into the salad and reserve a few for garnish.
6

Chill the salad for 10 minutes so the flavors settle while the apples stay crisp.
7

Taste and adjust with a little more lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed.
8

Serve on butter lettuce leaves and scatter the reserved walnuts over the top.

Ingredients

walnut halves:3/4 cup
crisp red apples, cored and diced:2
crisp green apple, cored and diced:1
red seedless grapes, halved:1 1/2 cups
celery ribs, thinly sliced:3
mayonnaise:1/3 cup
plain Greek yogurt:1/4 cup
fresh lemon juice:2 tbsp
honey:1 tsp
fine salt:1/4 tsp
black pepper:to taste
butter lettuce leaves, for serving:as needed

Tips & Notes

Choose firm apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady so the salad stays crisp.
For a sweeter classic style, replace the Greek yogurt with more mayonnaise and add another teaspoon of honey.
If making the salad ahead, fold in the walnuts just before serving so they keep their crunch.