Vegan Waldorf Salad

Crunchy with crisp apples, celery, and walnuts, this vegan Waldorf salad is a classic recipe perfect for the fall. Take a bite of this sweet and savory vegan Waldorf salad recipe, and you'll be hooked.

Vegan Waldorf salad is a vegan spin on a classic salad. When I remember my grandma's Waldorf salad, I distinctly remember the sweet taste of apples and grapes mixed with celery and the crunchiness of the walnuts. As a result, I carry on that tradition by making my vegan Waldorf salad recipe as a delicious vegetable, fruit, and nut salad in the fall when apples are at their finest.

Jump to:

• Waldorf Salad Origin
• Salad Ingredients
• Salad Substitutions
• Waldorf Dressing Ingredients
• Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
• Recipe Variations
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• Great Vegan Salads for Social Gatherings
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

I don't remember a holiday that didn't include my grandma's Waldorf salad as a highlight on the dinner menu throughout my youth.

Generally, Waldorf salad is made of fresh celery, apples, walnuts, and grapes, dressed in a tangy dressing served as a side dish or appetizer. Instead of using mayonnaise, as traditionally made, I created a vegan cashew dressing with a hint of dijon mustard and maple syrup.

Waldorf Salad Origin

The Waldorf salad is said to have originated over 100 years ago at the Waldorf hotel in New York City. Starting out as a simple salad of apples, celery, and mayonnaise—ingredients that are in season all year long—over the years, its flavor was tweaked with the addition of grapes and nuts added to the mix.

There are many variations of the Waldorf salad today, but Oscar Tschirky and the Waldorf Astoria made it first! So, of course, you can still get a Waldorf salad at the Waldorf Astoria today.

Salad Ingredients

Although traditional Waldorf salad usually contains all green apples and grapes, I prefer to use Honey Crisp apples and red grapes in my vegan Waldorf salad recipe. Not only does this enhance the flavors of the salad, but the vibrant colors also create the beautifully appealing Waldorf salad.

• Apples: I like sweet apples in a Waldorf salad, so I chose my favorite honey crisp apples. They are in season ad on sale right now, so they taste fabulous.
• Grapes: I prefer red grapes and always buy them organic when possible. I cut them in half to be bite-sized, but they release sweet juice when cut.
• Parsley: Parsley gives the salad a freshness. I chose flat parsley.
• Dill: The feathery green leaves of the dill plant have a bright, sweet flavor—somewhere between anise, parsley, and celery.
• Raw Walnuts: Specifically, I prefer organic raw walnuts because they do not require washing and remain firm and crunchy in Waldorf salad recipes. 
• Dried Cranberries: With a perfect blend of tart and sweet flavors, dried cranberries are a good source of dietary fiber. I buy unsweetened dried cranberries without oil.
• Celery: Celery adds a perfect, fresh crunch to the salad.
• Pickled Red Onions: I make my own quick and easy pickled red onions which add a tangy zest to the salad.
• Lemon: The lemon is used to keep the cut apples from browning. I prefer using fresh lemon juice.

Salad Substitutions

• Typically Granny Smith apples are used in traditional Waldorf salad recipes, but I prefer any sweet apple. I also leave the skins on the apples.
• Green grapes are often used in traditional Waldorf salad, so try green instead of red.
• When substituting dry dill or parsley for fresh, a general rule of thumb for the dried-to-fresh herb ratio: Use one-third the amount of dried herb for the fresh herb called for in the recipe.
• Since the heart and soul of a Waldorf salad combine walnuts, apples, and grapes, walnuts are difficult to substitute. However, in a pinch, I suggest using almonds or cashews.
• Traditional Waldorf salad is made with raisins, so you may want to substitute the cranberries with raisins, or dried cherries are another option.
• If you're allergic to or avoiding nuts, skip the nuts and see the variations for the recipe below.
• Choose raw red onions instead of pickled onions.
• Use bottled lemon juice when fresh lemon juice isn't available.

Waldorf Dressing Ingredients

• Vegan Mayo: I make my own vegan cashew mayo recipe which is creamy, delicious, and made from whole foods.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar gives the dressing an acid tanginess.
• Pure Maple Syrup: The maple syrup sweetens the dressing naturally.
• Dijon Mustard: The dijon mustard gives the dressing a rich and flavorful taste.

Dressing Ingredient Substitutions

• Choose a store-bought vegan mayo of choice. Or, when making the cashew may recipe, substitute silken tofu or white beans for a nut-free option.
• In recipes, white vinegar or rice vinegar often replace apple cider vinegar.
• Try date syrup or agave instead of maple syrup.
• Stone ground mustard is a close substitute for dijon mustard.

Recipe Variations

I love this Waldorf salad recipe; I make it a completely different meal by adding a grain like farro. Or try quinoa or bulgar.

Also, adding chopped kale or another green is another great way to add more to this vegan Waldorf salad recipe.

More importantly, you can make both versions, serve vegan Waldorf salad as a side dish and turn your lunch into a kale and farro version of the same salad.

In my opinion, it's all about variety.

If I can keep my meals interesting, I never get bored with my food. Often, any recipe can be transformed into a new version with a bit of foresight and meal planning. 

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• I prefer to leave the skins on the apples when making this salad; however, some prefer to remove them.
• When cutting the apples, immediately toss in lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Try to use fresh herbs whenever available for maximum flavor.
• If adding farro or another grain, cook and allow it to cool completely before adding it to the salad.
• If the farro is thick and sticky after cooking and cooling, toss it in a colander and run water through it for the best results.
• Although it seems like very little dressing, it goes a long way.
• Toss again before servings.
• The vegan Waldorf salad will last 5 days in the refrigerator.
• I do not recommend freezing this salad.

Vegan Waldorf salad is a vegan spin on a traditional salad. Add a whole grain and some greens and make this salad a meal!

Great Vegan Salads for Social Gatherings

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