Waldorf Salad, A Taste of History in Every Bite

History of Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad is a classic American dish that originated in 1896 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was first created by Oscar Tschirky, the maître d'hôtel at the time. Originally, the salad included only apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Over the years, additional ingredients like walnuts and grapes were incorporated, making it a more flavorful and beloved dish. This refreshing salad is often served as an appetizer or a light dessert.
Ingredients (Serves 4)

Apples: 2 (preferably red or green, diced into small cubes)
Celery: 2 stalks (chopped)
Walnuts: ½ cup (chopped)
Seedless Grapes: ½ cup (halved)
Mayonnaise: ½ cup (can be substituted with Greek yogurt or a mix of both)
Fresh Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (to prevent apples from browning)
Salt and Pepper: To taste

Preparation Steps

Prepare the Ingredients:
Dice the apples and toss them with lemon juice to prevent discoloration.
Chop the celery, walnuts, and halve the grapes.

Combine the Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix the apples, celery, walnuts, and grapes.

Add the Dressing:
Gently fold in the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt) until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Chill and Serve:
Refrigerate the salad for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled on a bed of lettuce if desired.

Tips for Variations

For a sweeter taste, add a drizzle of honey to the dressing.
You can replace walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
Raisins or diced pears can be added for more variety.