Christmas Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes & Walnuts

Christmas Waldorf Salad with Apples, Grapes and Walnuts

Crisp apple chunks, halved grapes, celery, and walnuts make this Christmas Waldorf salad chunky enough to serve by the spoonful. Mini marshmallows add soft, sweet bites to this holiday version; they are not an ingredient in every Waldorf salad. A mayonnaise dressing with a little cream and lemon juice lightly coats the pieces without hiding them.

Whisk the dressing before cutting the apples, then coat them promptly to help limit browning. Serve the salad right away for the crispest texture, or chill it briefly if you prefer it cold.

Ingredients for Christmas Waldorf Salad

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (110g)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream, plus a little more if needed
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
• 3 medium crisp apples, cored and cut into bite-sized chunks, peel on (about 3 cups; 450g)
• 1 1/2 cups seedless red or purple grapes, halved (225g)
• 1 cup finely chopped celery (100g)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (55g)
• 1 cup mini marshmallows (50g)

Choose crisp apples with the sweet-tart balance you like. Leaving the peel on adds color and helps the chunks hold their shape.

How to Make Christmas Waldorf Salad

1. Whisk the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, cream, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. It should cling to a spoon but be loose enough to fold through the fruit.
2. Prepare and dress the apples: Halve the grapes and chop the celery. Then core the apples and cut them into generous bite-sized chunks. Add the apples to the dressing promptly and fold to coat them.
3. Finish the salad: Add the grapes, celery, walnuts, and mini marshmallows. Fold gently until everything is lightly coated and the pieces remain distinct. If the dressing is too thick to coat evenly, add a small spoonful of cream.
4. Serve or chill: Serve right away, or cover and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes. For more walnut crunch, reserve a spoonful and fold it in just before serving.

When to Make the Salad

Assemble the salad close to serving time for the crispest apples and celery. A short, covered chill makes it cold for serving, but a long rest can soften the fruit and marshmallows and reduce the walnuts’ crunch. The dressing can be whisked shortly ahead; cut and add the apples near serving time.

Walnut Options

Chopped pecans can replace the walnuts. For a deeper nutty flavor, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet until fragrant, then let them cool completely before adding them to the salad.

How to Store Christmas Waldorf Salad

Serve cold from a communal bowl. Cover leftovers and refrigerate promptly at 40°F (5°C) or below. The salad has its best texture the day it is made; the fruit and marshmallows soften as it sits. Freezing is not recommended because it changes the texture of the fruit, celery, dressing, and marshmallows.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per side-dish serving, based on 6 servings: 300 calories, 3g protein, 22g fat, and 26g carbohydrates. Per 100g: about 175 calories, 1g protein, 13g fat, and 15g carbohydrates. Values vary with ingredient brands and sizes.