Classic Apple Waldorf Salad

A creamy, crunchy fruit salad that never goes out of style.

This Classic Apple Waldorf Salad is made with crisp apples, grapes, celery, marshmallows, and toasted walnuts tossed in a creamy Cool Whip and mayonnaise dressing. A Southern twist on the timeless salad first created at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel.  Perfect for brunches, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.

A Salad That Never Goes Out of Style

Some recipes have a way of standing the test of time and Waldorf Salad is one of them. It first appeared in 1896 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, created by the hotel’s maître d’hôtel, Oscar Tschirky. His version was simple. Just apples, celery, and mayonnaise but through the years, Southern cooks gave it their own twist. We added grapes, marshmallows, and toasted nuts, and even folded in a little Cool Whip for that fluffy, light sweetness we all love.

It’s a dish that feels as welcome on a holiday table as it does at a church luncheon or backyard cookout. Whether served in crystal bowls at Easter brunch or next to fried chicken at a family picnic, this salad has a way of making everything feel a little more special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Southern twist on a timeless classic.
• Fluffy, creamy, and just sweet enough.
• Perfect for brunches, showers, and potlucks.
• Easy to make ahead — it tastes even better chilled.
• Cool Whip gives it that nostalgic Southern charm and helps it hold up beautifully.

What You’ll Need to Make This Classic Apple Waldorf Salad

(Be sure to see the full printable recipe below this post.)

• Crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
• Red seedless grapes, halved
• Celery, finely chopped
• Mini marshmallows
• Toasted walnuts or pecans
• Cool Whip (8- or 12-ounce container)
• Mayonnaise
• Fresh lemon juice

How to Make Waldorf Salad

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped apples, grapes, celery, marshmallows, and toasted walnuts.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together Cool Whip, mayonnaise, lemon juice, until smooth and fluffy.
3. Gently fold the creamy dressing into the apple mixture until everything is well coated.
4. Chill for at least an hour before serving for the best flavor and texture.

 Tips for Making the Best Waldorf Salad

• Choose crisp apples. Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji hold up best.
• Toast your nuts. A quick toast in the oven or skillet deepens the flavor.
• Balance the dressing. A little mayonnaise keeps it from being too sweet.
• Chill before serving. Letting it rest for an hour melds all the flavors.
• Add color. Use a mix of red and green grapes for a pretty presentation.
• Also you can throw in dried cranberries for the holidays especially Thanksgiving.

How to Store Waldorf Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best the first day, after it’s had a few hours to chill, but it will still taste great the next day or two.
• Do not freeze: Because it’s made with Cool Whip and mayonnaise, this salad doesn’t freeze well. The dressing will separate and lose its fluffy texture when thawed.
• Keep it fresh: If you’re making it ahead for a gathering, toss the apples in a little lemon juice before mixing — that keeps them crisp and helps prevent browning.
• Stir before serving: Give the salad a gentle stir before serving to refresh the dressing and bring back that creamy, fluffy consistency.

Make-Ahead Tips for Waldorf Salad

• Make it the night before: You can prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. In fact, it’s even better once it chills and the flavors mingle. Just store it tightly covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
• Keep it crisp: If you want the apples extra crunchy, chop and toss them with lemon juice, then wait to fold them into the salad right before serving.
• Mix the dressing separately: For large gatherings or potlucks, you can mix the Cool Whip–mayonnaise dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Combine it with the fruit and nuts just before serving for the freshest flavor and texture.
• Serving tip: For a pretty presentation, serve it in a chilled glass bowl or individual parfait cups and top with a few toasted walnuts or red grape halves.

Thank you for stopping by. I’ll be back soon with more delicious Southern recipes.

Aletia

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