Classic & Customizable Waldorf Salad Recipe: Perfect for Holidays & Crowds
This Waldorf Salad Recipe is truly a showstopper, making it the perfect choice to serve at holidays, special occasions, or any large gathering. Bursting with flavor and texture, it features succulent diced chicken, crisp greens, juicy apples, sweet grapes, vibrant pomegranate seeds, crunchy walnuts, crisp celery, tender pear, and fragrant fresh herbs, all brought together with a luscious creamy dressing. Your guests will be delighted by this exquisite fall and winter salad, which is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat!
The Ultimate Waldorf Salad Recipe for Gatherings
As the holiday season draws near, or whenever you’re planning to host a large group, finding a reliable and impressive recipe is key. This Waldorf Salad recipe stands out as an ideal option, perfectly suited for serving a crowd with both elegance and ease. It’s a dish that not only tastes incredible but also offers a beautiful presentation, making it a centerpiece on any festive table.
What sets this particular Waldorf salad apart is its innovative “deconstructed” presentation. Instead of pre-mixing everything, I prefer to arrange all the vibrant ingredients on a large platter. This approach allows guests to customize their own Waldorf salad, picking and choosing their favorite components, much like a gourmet salad bar. This method is wonderfully reminiscent of a Cobb Salad Recipe, where individual elements shine and invite interaction.
To further enhance the customizable experience, I often provide a selection of dressings alongside the deconstructed salad. Options like a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, a sweet poppyseed dressing, and a rich creamy Italian dressing offer varied flavor profiles that can complement the salad’s diverse ingredients. This ensures every guest finds a combination that perfectly suits their palate, making the meal truly personal and enjoyable.
The beauty of a deconstructed salad lies in its flexibility. Guests with specific preferences, allergies, or dietary restrictions can effortlessly create a plate that aligns with their needs. You can offer a wide array of fresh, high-quality ingredients, giving everyone the freedom to craft their ideal salad creation. This not only makes hosting simpler but also ensures a more inclusive dining experience for all.
While I’ve included tender diced chicken in this specific recipe to add a hearty protein, it’s entirely optional. For those seeking alternative protein sources, cooked salmon offers a wonderful flavor and texture that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. Alternatively, for a delicious vegetarian option, you can easily omit the meat and feature a variety of beans on the platter, such as creamy white beans or hearty chickpeas. These additions provide a substantial and satisfying element to the salad.
During the busy holiday season, it’s always a welcome sight to have a vibrant and healthy salad available on the dining table. This Waldorf salad, with its rich array of fresh produce and wholesome ingredients, serves as the perfect wholesome counterpoint to richer holiday dishes. It’s a delightful and refreshing addition that everyone will appreciate and enjoy!
Essential Ingredients for this Deconstructed Waldorf Salad
This Waldorf Salad brings together a delightful medley of flavors and textures. Here’s a detailed look at the key ingredients that make this salad so special, offering both classic appeal and a modern twist:
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GREENS: A Mix of Freshness
I love using a vibrant mixture of spinach and arugula for the base of this salad. Spinach offers a mild, earthy flavor and tender texture, while arugula adds a peppery bite that beautifully contrasts with the sweeter elements. Other excellent choices include tender kale, crisp romaine, or a varied mixed greens blend.
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BLUE CHEESE: A Pungent Punch
Crumbled blue cheese introduces a delightful tang and creamy texture that elevates the flavor profile of the salad. Its distinct sharpness provides an exciting counterpoint to the sweet fruits. If blue cheese isn’t your preference, consider other fantastic alternatives like tangy feta cheese, creamy goat cheese, or sharp gorgonzola.
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CHICKEN BREASTS: Lean Protein Power
Cooked, cooled, and diced chicken breasts add a satisfying and lean protein to the salad, making it a more substantial meal. You can use leftover roasted chicken, grilled chicken, or quickly poach chicken specifically for this recipe. For a non-chicken option, consider salmon or various beans.
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POMEGRANATE ARILS: Jewel-Toned Burst
The addition of ruby-red pomegranate arils is a fantastic modern touch. These little jewels offer a beautiful pop of color, a delightful crunch, and a sweet-tart flavor that brightens the entire dish, especially during the fall and winter seasons.
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PEARS: Sweet and Tender
Sweet and tender pears, cored and diced, contribute a subtle sweetness and a soft, yielding texture that complements the crispness of the apples and celery. Choose firm, ripe pears for the best results.
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APPLES: Crisp and Classic
No Waldorf salad is complete without apples! I like to use a mix of one red and one green apple, cored and diced. The red apple adds sweetness, while the green provides a tart balance and a wonderful crunch. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith are all excellent choices.
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RED AND GREEN GRAPES: Juicy Sweetness
Halved red and green grapes bring bursts of juicy sweetness and a refreshing quality to the salad. Their vibrant colors also add visual appeal, making the platter even more inviting.
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CELERY: Essential Crunch
Crisp celery stalks, finely diced, are crucial for adding that signature fresh crunch and a slightly peppery flavor that defines a classic Waldorf salad. It provides a textural backbone to the dish.
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CHIVES & PARSLEY: Fresh Herbaceous Notes
Freshly chopped chives and parsley infuse the salad with bright, herbaceous notes. Chives offer a delicate oniony flavor, while parsley adds a fresh, clean taste, elevating the overall aroma and complexity.
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WALNUTS & PINE NUTS: Hearty and Nutty
Toasted walnuts provide a rich, earthy crunch that is traditional to Waldorf salad. I also like to include pine nuts (optional) for their buttery flavor and slightly softer texture, adding another layer of nutty goodness.
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CREAMY DRESSING OF YOUR CHOICE: The Unifying Element
A well-made creamy dressing is what brings all these diverse ingredients into harmony. My recipe features a delicious homemade dressing, but you can also use your favorite store-bought option or experiment with different homemade variations to suit your taste.
Customizing Your Waldorf Salad: Endless Possibilities
One of the best aspects of this Waldorf Salad recipe is its incredible versatility. While the core ingredients are fantastic, you can easily adapt it to your taste or what you have on hand. Here are even more ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:
BEANS: For those looking to increase the protein content or create a vegetarian version, beans are an excellent addition. Hearty chickpeas (garbanzo beans) offer a nutty flavor and satisfying texture, while creamy cannellini (white beans) add a delicate, smooth element. Both absorb dressing beautifully and pair well with the other fresh ingredients.
NUTS AND SEEDS: Beyond the traditional walnuts, the world of nuts and seeds offers a plethora of options to enhance crunch and flavor. Consider adding toasted cashews for a buttery note, slivered almonds for a subtle crispness, or vibrant pistachios for both color and a unique taste. For a lighter touch, sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) can introduce a different kind of texture and a boost of nutrients. Toasting any of these nuts or seeds beforehand will intensify their flavor significantly.
CHEESE: The blue cheese in this recipe offers a bold, savory counterpoint to the sweet fruits. However, if blue cheese isn’t your favorite, many other cheeses work wonderfully. Crumbly feta cheese brings a salty, tangy Mediterranean flair, while soft goat cheese offers a creamy, earthy richness. For a milder option, cubes of mozzarella or provolone can add a delightful chewiness without overpowering the other flavors.
GREENS: The base greens are crucial for a refreshing salad. While spinach and arugula are excellent, don’t hesitate to experiment. Hearty kale, especially when massaged slightly, adds a robust, nutrient-dense foundation. Swiss chard offers a slightly earthy flavor, while delicate microgreens provide a burst of freshness and visual appeal. A simple mixed greens blend can also provide a variety of textures and mild flavors.
VEGETABLES: While a classic Waldorf salad focuses on fruits and nuts, adding extra vegetables can boost its nutritional value and introduce more savory notes. Finely shredded carrots add sweetness and crunch, while thinly sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) contribute vibrant color and a fresh, crisp texture. Sliced radishes offer a peppery zing, and a small amount of finely diced red onion can add a sharp, aromatic kick.
DRIED FRUIT: Dried fruits are fantastic for adding concentrated bursts of sweetness and chewiness, particularly in fall and winter salads. Dried cranberries (craisins) are a natural fit, lending a tart-sweet flavor. Raisins, whether golden or dark, are another classic option. For a more sophisticated touch, chopped dried apricots, figs, or prunes can add depth and a different kind of sweetness, perfectly complementing the nuts and fresh fruits.
FRESH FRUIT: This recipe already includes a generous amount of fresh fruit, like pears, apples, pomegranate seeds, and grapes. But you can certainly explore other seasonal or favorite fruits. Sliced bananas can add a creamy sweetness, while segments of oranges or mandarins introduce a bright citrusy note. Tropical fruits like diced pineapple or mango can offer a wonderfully exotic twist and a burst of juicy flavor, making the salad even more unique.
More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore
If you’re a fan of fresh, vibrant salads like this Waldorf Salad, you’ll love exploring some of my other favorite recipes:
- FALL SALAD: A perfect blend of seasonal ingredients for autumn.
- MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD: Hearty and flavorful, packed with wholesome lentils and Mediterranean herbs.
- MEDITERRANEAN EGGPLANT SALAD: A unique and savory salad featuring tender roasted eggplant.
- LEMON ARUGULA SALAD WITH PINE NUTS: Simple, bright, and refreshing with a peppery kick.
- MEDITERRANEAN BEAN SALAD: A protein-rich, zesty salad full of fresh vegetables and beans.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Waldorf Salad
This versatile Waldorf Salad is an excellent side dish for a variety of main courses, especially when entertaining a large group or celebrating during the holidays. Its rich flavors and satisfying textures make it a wonderful complement to both light and hearty meals. Here are some of my top recommendations for what to serve alongside this delightful salad:
- HERB ROASTED TURKEY: The fresh and fruity notes of the Waldorf salad beautifully cut through the richness of a classic herb-roasted turkey, making it a perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas pairing.
- APPLE CIDER GLAZED HAM RECIPE: The sweetness of the apples and grapes in the salad harmonizes wonderfully with the savory and slightly sweet notes of an apple cider glazed ham.
- INSTANT POT ROTISSERIE CHICKEN: For a weeknight meal or a casual gathering, a tender Instant Pot rotisserie chicken pairs effortlessly with the freshness of the Waldorf salad.
- WHOLE ROASTED CHICKEN WITH POTATOES: A rustic roasted chicken dinner finds a delightful companion in this vibrant salad, adding a burst of freshness to the comforting meal.
- AIR FRYER COD: If you’re looking for a lighter main course, flaky air fryer cod offers a delicate flavor that allows the Waldorf salad to truly shine.
- MEDITERRANEAN BAKED TURKEY MEATBALLS: The Mediterranean-inspired flavors of turkey meatballs provide a hearty and flavorful counterpoint to the sweet and savory elements of the salad.
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Waldorf Salad Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 – 6 ounce greens, {I like spinach kale or arugula}
- 4 ounce blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 pound Chicken breasts , cooked, cooled and diced
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 2 pears, cored and diced
- 2 apples, cored and diced {I like to use one red and one green}
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 Tablespoons chives, chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup pine nuts , {optional}
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise, or plain or Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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On a large platter arrange your ingredients starting with chicken, then the blue cheese, greens, apples, pears, grapes, celery, pomegranate seeds, walnuts and the parsley and chives on the outer edges.
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In a large mason jar or a salad dressing container mix together the salad dressing ingredients. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve the salad on the platter with individual plates so people can construct their own salad and add dressing.
Notes
- I like adding chickpeas or white beans to the side.
- You can serve this with gorgonzola, feta cheese or goat cheese.
- You could add other types of fruit to this salad like berries or bananas.
- Aside from walnuts I like to add silvered almonds or cashews sometimes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Today’s post is sponsored by Heinen’s. As always, opinions are 100% my own.