Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

6 servings
We took the ingredients of a classic Waldorf salad and gave them a more modern twist. In addition to the traditional ingredients like celery, grapes and apple, we add a delicious walnut brittle and a creamy, lighter yogurt-based dressing. 

Ingredients

  • head of romaine lettuce

    chopped

    1 large
  • seedless red grapes

    halved

    1 c
  • sliced celery
    1 c
  • apple

    diced

    1 large
  • dried cranberries
    ½ c
  • pomegranate arils
    ¾ c
  • walnut pumpkin seed brittle

    recipe below

  • raw

    unsalted walnut pieces

    1 c
  • pumpkin seeds
    ½ c
  • maple syrup
    ¼ c
  • extra virgin olive oil
    2 tsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • ground black pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • olive oil
    ⅓ c
  • plain yogurt

    or vegan yogurt

    ⅓ c
  • apple cider vinegar
    2 tbsp
  • finely chopped fresh thyme
    1 tbsp
  • dijon mustard
    1 tbsp
  • maple syrup
    1 tbsp
  • salt
    1 ¼ tsp
  • ground black pepper
    ½ tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 275˚F.

  2. 2

    Add walnuts and pumpkin seeds to a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together maple syrup, olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour over nuts and toss well to coat. Spread out on a 9"x13" parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake on the lowest rack of the oven for about 35 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled, break apart into bite sized pieces.

  3. 3

    In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, plain yogurt, apple cider vinegar, thyme, mustard, maple syrup, and the salt and pepper, to taste.

  4. 4

    Prep all the salad ingredients: thinly slice your celery, halve your grapes, and cut your apples into roughly 1/2" cubes. Add to a large mixing bowl, pour dressing over the top, and toss to combine. Top with the cooled and broken-up brittle.

Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

35 min6 servings446 cal

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About this Recipe

Rediscover a beloved classic with our modern Waldorf Salad, a vibrant dish that brightens any meal. This recipe takes the familiar combination of crisp apples, juicy grapes, and crunchy celery and elevates it with exciting new textures and flavors.

What sets this Waldorf Salad apart is its innovative approach to texture and flavor. We swap a heavy mayonnaise-based dressing for a lighter, tangy yogurt dressing infused with fresh thyme, and introduce a craveable homemade walnut pumpkin seed brittle that provides an irresistible sweet-and-savory crunch.

Prepare for a symphony of textures and tastes in every forkful. You'll enjoy the crisp bite of fresh romaine, the satisfying snap of celery, and the juicy sweetness of red grapes and diced apple, all balanced by the tartness of dried cranberries and the burst of pomegranate arils. The creamy, herbaceous yogurt dressing coats everything beautifully without weighing it down, while the golden walnut pumpkin seed brittle adds a delightful, unexpected caramel-like crunch and nutty depth. This salad is surprisingly substantial, offering a fresh yet satisfying experience, perfect for a light lunch or elegant side.

Customization & Variations

While delicious as is, this Waldorf Salad offers flexibility. You can easily substitute the plain yogurt for a vegan yogurt to make the dressing dairy-free. If you don't have fresh thyme, a pinch of dried thyme will work, or experiment with other fresh herbs like chives. For a different fruit profile, consider adding pear slices alongside the apple, or swapping dried cherries for cranberries.

This elegant Waldorf Salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish for a holiday meal, a sophisticated main course for a light lunch, or a bright addition to any brunch spread. Serve it immediately to enjoy the ultimate crispness of the brittle.

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