This Healthy Waldorf Salad has additions of Greek yogurt, some light mayonnaise and lots of fruit for a delicious twist to the traditional Waldorf Salad.
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Thanks to Michigan Apple Committee for sponsoring this post.
Do you ever have flashbacks from childhood? Or just the thought of a certain food trigger an experience or time period from childhood? I have this happen every once in a while when I’m browsing recipes to either make or re-create for this blog.
When growing up, my family would spend entire summers at my grandmother’s (Mimi) house. She only lived about 10 minutes from us, in the same city, however, she lived on the lake with a built-in pool.
All the fun a child could have all day, every day. It was amazing. I still miss it at times.
One recipe that triggered these memories was a Classic Waldorf Salad.
I remember we would have parties throughout the summer, especially around Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day and my parents and Mimi would grill and serve cold salads like this Waldorf Salad.
Now, I couldn’t just make this salad exactly like the original, so I added a few variations to make it a bit healthier.
And with this recipe, I added my new favorite variety, EverCrisp®, a cross between Fuji and Honey Crisp apples.
This type of variety is harvested in early November and has a long shelf life. I LOVE fruit like this that lasts a long time on my shelf!
I tried this variety out first with this peanut butter dip that I posted earlier this week. It was quite the hit in my house! EverCrisp®are best eaten fresh but can be used in baking or cooking. I can’t wait to try them out in a sweet apple cinnamon bread recipe.
If you’re looking for another variety of salad that also includes apples, try this Apple Tortellini Salad which includes a light apple cider vinegar dressing and a variety of other produce.
Dietitian’s Dish
When it comes to living in Michigan, we have quite a diverse climate and one that is ideal for growing apples. In fact, apples are the largest and most valuable fruit in Michigan and the third-largest apple-producing state in the country.
And when it comes to nutrition, apples give you quite the nutritional punch!
An average size apple contains only 80 calories, in addition to 4.5 grams of fiber and 180 mg of potassium.
Add-In Options to This Waldorf Salad
You likely know how I typically will take a “traditional” recipe and make it my own. Most of the time this is because I want to make it a bit healthier, or I just like to make it my own way (with the ingredients I have on hand).
With this recipe, like many recipes on Chocolate Slopes, you can swap out quite a bit and add in some extras for different flavors and textures.
Check out these add-ins to make this Waldorf Salad your own:
- Dried cranberries
- Raisins
- Sunflower seeds in place of walnuts or pecans
- Chopped chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
- Sliced ham
Apple Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped Romaine lettuce optional
- 2 apples, chopped (I used EverCrisp)
- 1 cup grapes, sliced
- 1/2 cup roasted pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup celery, chopped (about 3 stalks)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, plain
- 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the apples, celery, pecans and grapes.
- In another bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients until well blended.
- Combine dressing with apple mixture.
- Add lettuce to a serving bowl. Add apple mixture to serving bowl.
- Chill for about 1 hour.
Notes
Visit Michigan Apples for more delicious apple recipes and healthy living tips.
A Few Other Favorite Apple Snacks and Side Dishes on Chocolate Slopes
Whole Wheat Apple Raisins Muffins
Sautéed Red Cabbage with Apples
Apple Cranberry and Almond Coleslaw
Hope you enjoy this Waldorf Salad variation as much as we did!
This Healthy Waldorf Salad post first appeared on Chocolate Slopes.
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