Light Waldorf Salad (Full Recipe)

A fresh, creamy, and crunchy classic—lightened up with Greek yogurt but still full of flavor. Perfect as a side, lunch, or picnic salad.

 Ingredients (Serves 4)

Salad

• 2 large crisp apples, diced (Honeycrisp or Fuji work best)
• ½ cup red grapes, halved
• 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup walnuts, toasted & chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley or tarragon, finely chopped

Dressing

• ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp light mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper

 Instructions

1. Toast the walnuts
   • Add walnuts to a dry skillet over medium heat.
   • Toast 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant.
   • Remove and let cool.
2. Prepare the fruit & veg
   • Dice apples into bite-size pieces.
   • Halve grapes and thinly slice celery.
   • Add everything to a large bowl.
3. Make the dressing
   • In a small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Combine
   • Pour dressing over the salad ingredients.
   • Gently toss until evenly coated.
5. Finish & chill
   • Fold in toasted walnuts and fresh herbs.
   • Chill 15–30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

 Nutrition Highlights (Approx. per serving)

• High in fiber from apples & celery
• Protein-rich from Greek yogurt
• Lower fat than classic Waldorf salad
• Naturally gluten-free

 Nut Information (Allergy Safety)

• Contains walnuts (tree nuts)
•  Not suitable for tree-nut allergies unless modified

Nut-Free Options

• Replace walnuts with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or crunchy chickpeas
• Or omit nuts entirely—still delicious!

Cross-Contamination Note

• Check yogurt and mayo labels if serving someone with severe nut allergies.

 Variations & Add-Ins (Optional)

• Extra protein: Add diced cooked chicken or turkey
• Vegan version: Use dairy-free yogurt + vegan mayo + maple syrup
• Extra crunch: Add shredded romaine or butter lettuce
• Sweeter touch: Add a few raisins or dried cranberries

 Q & A

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Best within 24 hours. Toss apples with a little extra lemon juice to prevent browning.

Q: How do I keep apples from turning brown?
A: Lemon juice in the dressing helps. You can also toss apples with lemon juice before mixing.

Q: Can I skip the mayo?
A: Absolutely. Use all Greek yogurt for an even lighter version.

Q: Is this kid-friendly?
A: Very! You can chop ingredients smaller and reduce celery if kids prefer less crunch.

Q: What can I serve it with?
A: Great with grilled chicken, sandwiches, or as a fresh side for brunch.

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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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