Jump to Recipe
13 Comments »
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure policy.
This Apple Salad is light and creamy with a nice crunchy texture. All you need to do is combine crisp apple chunks with celery, walnuts and raisins in a simple mayonnaise (or yogurt) dressing. It’s a healthy lunch idea, snack or side dish!
Apple salad is a timeless classic that’s healthy and delicious.This recipe is based on the traditional Waldorf salad created by the Waldorf Astoria hotel back in the 1800s. We’ve changed it up slightly by adding raisins and walnuts, but there are many mouthwatering combinations to make it your own!
You’ll see that it’s easy to make in just 10 minutes using ingredients that you’re likely to have on hand. So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Apple Salad Variations
More creamy salads:
Apple Salad
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Apples: Use a sturdy, crunchy variety such as Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady or Empire. Some people prefer red-skinned apples to have a color contrast with the celery.
- Celery: A few stalks of crisp fresh celery is all you need
- Walnut Pieces: Walnut halves are ideal as they’re easier to eat with a fork. You can also use pecans if you want to make an apple pecan salad.
- Raisins: You can use any plump raisins. Possible substitutions include dried cranberries or halved grapes, both of which also make festive combinations for the holidays.
- Mayonnaise: Regular or low-fat mayo will work as the dressing. Some people prefer yogurt but use a thick type like Greek yogurt for the best results.
- Lemon: A splash of fresh lemon juice will prevent discoloration while you prepare the salad. Cider vinegar is a decent substitute.
For an attractive presentation, try scooping it onto lettuce leaves although it’s great on its own too.
Apple Salad Variations
In addition to the substitutions above, there are some other savory variations you might want to try…
- Broccoli Apple Salad: Replace the celery with a mixture of broccoli (or spinach, kale or fennel), carrots and red onion.
- Panera Fuji Apple Salad: this Panera Bread menu item adds mixed greens, slices of cooked chicken, gorgonzola cheese and red onion (also called apple salad with chicken)
… as well as some recipes for those of you with a sweet tooth:
- Taffy Apple Salad: a Southern classic combining apple with pineapple, peanuts and mini-marshmallows, dressed with Cool Whip for a sweeter flavor.
- Snicker Apple Salad: a dessert combining apples, chopped Snickers bars and pudding mix in a Cool Whip dressing.
Given the endless possibilities, you can really get creative and use the ingredients you have on hand!
More creamy salads:
- BLT pasta salad
- Strawberry cheesecake salad
- Steak salad
View all salad recipes
4.67 from 3 votes
Leave a review »
Apple Salad
Apple salad is a delicious side dish or snack that’s ready in just 10 minutes! All you need to make this apple salad recipe is crisp apples, celery, walnuts, raisins, mayonnaise (or yogurt) and a splash of lemon juice.
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 10 minutes mins
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 3 large apples, cored and chopped*
- 3/4 cup walnut pieces, or pecans
- ¾ cup raisins, or dried cranberries
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise, regular or low-fat, or Greek yogurt**
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or cider vinegar
Instructions
Core and chop the apples into 1/2-inch chunks. Sprinkle fresh lemon juice and toss to prevent discoloration.
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped apples with the celery, raisins and walnuts.
Add the mayonnaise or yogurt to the bowl. Then toss all the ingredients together until thoroughly coated.
Spoon onto serving plates, or onto lettuce leaves for an attractive presentation.
Notes
- * Look for a crunchy, sturdy apple variety such as Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady and Empire.
- ** For yogurt, use a thick type such as Greek yogurt, which will evenly coat the ingredients.
- Make-ahead: You can make it up to 2 days ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge. The dressing will prevent the apples from browning. Note: apple salad does not freeze well.
Nutrition Facts
Apple Salad
Serving Size
4 oz
Amount per Serving
Calories
226
% Daily Value*
Fat
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
5
%
Cholesterol
2
mg
1
%
Sodium
172
mg
7
%
Potassium
387
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
35
g
12
%
Fiber
6
g
24
%
Sugar
16
%
Net Carbs
29
g
58
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
136
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
7
mg
8
%
Calcium
33
mg
3
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Please read our nutrition disclaimer.
Author: TipBuzz
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple cranberry salad, apple salad, apple walnut salad
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Recipe tools:
Editor note: Published Apr 26, 2019 and updated Apr 9, 2020
© TIPBUZZ. Images and text on this website are copyright protected. Please do not post or republish without permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post.This post may contain affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.
posted April 9, 2020 (updated 4/19/20)
American Healthy Party Salads Side Dishes Summer Vegetarian
subscribe to new posts via email:
« Previous PostNew York Strip Steak
Next Post »3 2 1 Ribs
4.67 from 3 votes
Leave a Reply
13 comments on “Apple Salad”
Mary —July 15, 2023 @ 1:31 pm Reply
Great recipe. So easy. I did add 2 tbsp honey for sweetness. I will be making this again. Great way to use extra apples.
TipBuzz —July 28, 2023 @ 3:33 pm Reply
Hi Mary, Thanks for your comment and glad you enjoyed it!
Sheri Siner —December 12, 2021 @ 6:09 pm Reply
very good and easy…I had all ingredients on hand ! Thank you
TipBuzz —October 20, 2023 @ 11:31 am Reply
Hi Sheri, Wonderful to hear and thanks for your comment!
Susan —November 28, 2021 @ 10:52 am Reply
You meant 4 oz is 1/2 of a cup
TipBuzz —October 20, 2023 @ 2:42 pm Reply
Hi Susan, Thanks for your inquiry. 4 oz of chopped apples is one cup, not 1/2 cup. Hope that helps!
Tricia —April 10, 2020 @ 7:13 pm Reply
I remember this salad from my childhood. Grat memories
Sue Wilson —April 8, 2020 @ 4:17 pm Reply
423 calories per serving? Must be a misprint, right?
TipBuzz —April 9, 2020 @ 10:49 pm Reply
Hi Sue, Thanks for your question. We corrected it to read 226 calories for a 4-oz serving, slightly more with regular mayo. Hope that helps!
Erica Schwarz —February 13, 2020 @ 2:41 pm Reply
Love this salad! The touch of lemon juice makes it (I’d always used vinegar, but the lemon juice is better). Thanks for the recipe!
TipBuzz —February 14, 2020 @ 2:04 pm Reply
Hi Erica, So glad to hear that and thank for your review. Agree about lemon too!
Sharen —February 12, 2020 @ 9:52 pm Reply
what is a serving size? 1/2 cup or 1 whole cup
TipBuzz —April 9, 2020 @ 10:49 pm Reply
Hi Sharen, It’s a 4-oz serving, just over 1 cup. Hope that helps and enjoy!
