Wilma'S Waldorf Salad
A refreshing and crunchy Waldorf Salad featuring apples, celery, walnuts, marshmallows, and dates, perfect for light lunches or picnics, with a creamy dressing for added richness.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine diced apples with lemon juice in a large bowl.
- Add diced celery, chopped walnuts, marshmallows, and chopped dates or raisins.
- Mix in mayonnaise until well coated.
- Chill thoroughly before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a crunchier texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples. If you're out of walnuts, try pecans or almonds as an alternative. For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor. This recipe is a great way to utilize seasonal apples in your cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Wilma's Waldorf Salad is great as a light lunch or a side dish for dinner. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish. For a complete meal, serve alongside a bowl of soup, like Chili With Lentils, or with American recipes that feature roasted vegetables. Garnish with additional walnuts for a decorative touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Waldorf salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain its crunch, avoid mixing in the marshmallows until ready to serve. If you need to reheat, consider using it as a topping for a warm grain bowl, but it's best served cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wilma'S Waldorf Salad contains roughly 928 calories, with 13g protein, 133g carbohydrates, and 41g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (107% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (68% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (44% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 986mg per serving (43% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours ahead. However, it's best to add the marshmallows just before serving to keep them fresh and fluffy. Chilling allows the flavors to meld, creating a more delicious dish.
What type of apples work best?
For the best flavor balance, use a combination of tart and sweet apples, such as Granny Smith and Fuji. This variety adds depth to the salad and ensures a refreshing bite.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! To make Wilma's Waldorf Salad vegan, substitute the mayonnaise with a plant-based alternative, such as vegan mayo or a mixture of mashed avocado and lemon juice. This keeps the creaminess while adhering to a vegan diet.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).