Easy Waldorf Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
This refreshing Waldorf salad is sweet, savory and tangy. With crispy apples, celery, grapes and crunchy walnuts tossed in a creamy dressing that rivals the traditional version, and completely gluten-free and vegan! With just 10 minutes prep time, it’s perfect as a light meal or side dish for your next potluck.
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Salads for Summer Potlucks
With the weather getting warmer and temperatures rising, it means it’s time for grilling season and plenty of summer gatherings!
And…that means it’s time for salads of all kinds! But especially salads that are refreshing and help you to beat the heat!
Delicious Waldorf Salad!
Here’s where the Waldorf salad comes in.
This iconic salad was originally invented at the New York City based Waldorf Hotel (now Waldorf-Astoria), and has since become a fan favorite because of the amazing blend of flavors and textures.
Savory, tangy and sweet all at once, with the crisp apples and celery and crunchy toasted nuts contrasting perfectly with the creamy mayonnaise dressing, it’s tasty, refreshing and satisfying.
Today’s recipe is a vegan version of the classic Waldorf salad (we’re using vegan mayonnaise and dairy-free yogurt for the dressing), so even those on a vegan diet can enjoy it!
It’s perfect for backyard grilling parties, as a light summer lunch, or even as a side dish for your holiday gatherings!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: The few ingredients required for this vegan Waldorf salad are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this delicious salad can be tossed together quickly and easily. Big flavor with little effort!
- Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances, or those simply on a gluten-free or vegan diet can enjoy it without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this easy vegan Waldorf salad recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Apples:Â I prefer using green apples (Granny Smith), but red apples such as Honeycrisp or Gala apples or Pink Lady apples will work just as well.
- Grapes:Â I like using seedless grapes for convenience. You can use a mix of juicy red grapes and green grapes, or whichever color of grapes you prefer.
- Celery: Make sure to use fresh celery for the best crunch (older celery sticks tend to lose their crunchiness).
- Nuts: I like using a mix of toasted pecans and walnuts (alternatively, you may just use walnuts if you prefer). The recipe includes steps for toasting the nuts at home, but you can also use store-bought pre-toasted pecans and walnuts.
- Mayonnaise: I used vegan mayonnaise to keep this recipe vegan. However, if you are not vegan, feel free to use regular mayonnaise instead.
- Yogurt: I used unsweetened dairy-free yogurt to keep this recipe vegan and dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant or vegan, feel free to use regular greek yogurt instead.
- Lemon Juice:Â Lemon juice adds a nice tanginess to the dressing. For the best flavor, I recommend using fresh lemon juice, but if you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice will be fine. Alternatively, you may use apple cider vinegar as well.
- Maple Syrup: I used maple syrup as a sweetener, but you can also use agave nectar if you prefer. Also, if you are not vegan, go ahead and use honey instead.
How to Make Waldorf Salad (Step by Step):
Toast and Chop Nuts:Â If your nuts are not already toasted, toast the pecans and walnuts in a dry skillet over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Let cool slightly, then chop finely.
Prepare Waldorf Salad Dressing:Â In a separate bowl, mix together the vegan mayo, dairy-free yogurt, lemon juice, honey, and salt until smooth.
Combine Celery, Grapes and Nuts:Â In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped celery, halved grapes, and toasted nuts.
Add Apples and Dressing:Â Wash, and core the apples, then cut them into small cubes. Add to the bowl with the celery and grapes. Pour the dressing over the salad.
Mix to Combine then Chill Before Serving:Â Gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving if desired.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Toast Nuts: I recommend toasting the pecans and walnuts for a beautiful nutty flavor and more crunch. It may take a couple of minutes more to toast them, but it’s completely worth the time!
- Not Dairy-Free or Vegan? If you aren’t vegan or lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular mayonnaise and Greek yogurt in equal quantities instead.
Gluten-Free Salad Recipes to Make:
Other Summer Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
Easy Waldorf Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This refreshing waldorf salad is sweet, savory and tangy. With crispy apples, crunchy celery, grapes and toasted walnuts tossed in a creamy dressing that rivals the traditional version, and completely gluten-free and vegan! With just 10 minutes prep time, it’s perfect as a light meal or side dish for your next potluck.
Ingredients
- 2 green apples, cored and cubed
- 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
- 3/4 cup celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup raw unsalted walnuts, toasted and chopped
- 1/4 cup raw unsalted pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons plain dairy-free yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Toast and Chop Nuts: If your nuts are not already toasted, toast the pecans and walnuts in a dry skillet over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Let cool slightly, then chop finely.
- Prepare Waldorf Salad Dressing: In a separate bowl, mix together the vegan mayonnaise, dairy-free yogurt, lemon juice, honey, and salt until smooth.
- Combine Celery, Grapes and Nuts: In a large bowl, combine the chopped celery, halved grapes, and toasted nuts.
- Add Apples and Dressing: Wash, and core the apples, then cut them into small cubes. Add to the bowl with the celery and grapes. Pour the dressing over the salad.
- Mix to Combine: Gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Chill Until Ready: Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving if desired.
Notes
Apples: I prefer using green apples (Granny Smith), but red apples such as Honeycrisp or Gala or Pink Lady apples will work just as well.
Grapes: I like using seedless grapes for convenience. You can use a mix of green and red grapes, or whichever color grapes you prefer.
Celery: Make sure to use fresh celery for the best crunch (older celery sticks tend to lose their crunchiness).
Nuts: I like using a mix of toasted pecans and walnuts (alternatively, you may just use walnuts if you prefer). The recipe includes steps for toasting the nuts at home, but you can also use store-bought pre-toasted pecans and walnuts.
Mayonnaise: I used vegan mayonnaise to keep this recipe vegan. However, if you are not vegan, feel free to use regular mayonnaise instead.
Yogurt: I used unsweetened dairy-free yogurt to keep this recipe vegan and dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant or vegan, feel free to use regular greek yogurt instead.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a nice tanginess to the dressing. For the best flavor, I recommend using fresh lemon juice, but if you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice will be fine.
Maple Syrup: I used maple syrup as a sweetener, but you can also use agave nectar if you prefer. Also, if you are not vegan, go ahead and use honey instead.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Salads
- Cuisine: American
