Waldorf Salad with Candied Pecans

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Waldorf Salad with Candied Pecans

Apples, grapes, and celery tossed in a tangy honey-lemon dressing, with crunchy nuts added at the end for texture. Want to level it up? Use candied nuts, they’re a game-changer.

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Salads, Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple celery salad, waldorf salad

Servings: servings

Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

1 to2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup sour cream
⅓ cup mayonnaise
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Salad:

3 to 4 apples diced (I used a mix of green and red apples)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup grapes halved (I used red seedless grapes)
1 to 2 stalks celery diced
⅓ cup raisins
½ cup candied pecans or candied walnuts, roughly chopped

Instructions

Mix the Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and lemon juice until the honey is fully dissolved.
Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and salt, and stir until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your liking.

Prepare the Salad:

Add the diced apples to a large bowl and toss them in a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
Add the grapes, celery, raisins, and nuts (hold off on the nuts if you aren’t serving the salad right away).
Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently toss until well coated.
Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors come together. Stir in the nuts just before serving, if you haven’t already. Serve over a bed of lettuce.

Notes

Make-ahead tip: If you're prepping the salad in advance, leave out the nuts until just before serving so they stay crunchy.

Apple prep: No need to peel the apples unless you prefer them that way.

Flavor note: Granny Smith apples add a nice tart contrast to the sweet grapes.

Dressing tip: Whisk the honey into the lemon juice first. This helps it dissolve smoothly and prevents it from seizing when mixed with cold ingredients. If your honey has crystallized, warm it in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it up.

Storage: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will mellow, but the apples and celery may soften a bit over time.

Nutrition