This Vegan Waldorf Salad makes a perfect light lunch or side salad for a larger meal. It's packed full of fruits, veggies and nuts making for a well rounded dish. Get the recipe below.
Simple salads
If you're eating something green it is bound to be good for you. And salads packed full of lettuce and other greens definitely fall into that camp. Even when smothered in dressing you know you're getting plenty of nutrients in a big, crisp bowl of salad. That's why I love them so much.
When done well a salad can easily be a meal in itself. Add decent sources of protein and healthy fats on top of the green leaves and you've got yourself a more balanced meal that's going to keep you full. This Vegan Waldorf Salad fits the bill.
It's such a classic recipe you know you can't go wrong!
What is a Waldorf salad?
The Waldorf salad originated in the 19th century at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, US.
It is made up of a range of fruit, nuts and veggies such as celery, apples, walnuts and grapes. It also has a mayonnaise based dressing.
Is a Waldorf salad vegan?
A classic Waldorf salad is dressed with just mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
The mayonnaise based dressing is what stops a regular Waldorf Salad being suitable for vegans. But, with so many brands of vegan mayonnaise in shops these days it can easily be transformed into a vegan dish.
You can also make your own mayonnaise by following my vegan mayo recipe here.
How to make my Waldorf salad dressing
I've opted to add a bit more pizzazz to the dressing for my vegan Waldorf salad. Mayonnaise, salt and pepper is a bit basic and I think with a few additions you can take the salad dressing to the next level.
The three additions I make are shallot, lemon and tarragon.
Tarragon is a leafy green herb that has a flavour similar to anise. Anise pairs particularly well with apples and grapes so tarragon does too!
Lemon zest and juice lifts the whole dressing making it lighter and brighter.
Shallots add a sweet onion flavour which makes the whole dish more well rounded.
Once you've assembled all of the ingredients, making the dressing couldn't be easier. Finely chop the tarragon and finely dice the shallots, then mix into the mayonnaise along with the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
The dressing will be thick but still able to be drizzled across the salad. You could of course toss it altogether too if you wish.
The recipe
Vegan Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
For the salad
- 75 g walnuts roughly chopped
- 1 handful red grapes cut in half
- 2 red apples cored and thinly sliced
- 2 celery sticks sliced
For the dressing
- 150 g vegan mayonnaise
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- 1 teaspoon tarragon finely chopped
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts in a dry frying pan until fragrant, then set aside to cool.
- Add the toasted walnuts to a bowl along with the grapes and apple slices and toss together.
- Lay the lettuce leaves out over a large serving plate or on each plate if serving individual portions.
- Scatter over the toasted walnuts, grapes and apple slices
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and zest, tarragon and shallot then season with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle the mayonnaise dressing over the salad and serve.
More simple salad recipes
For more light lunches like these, check out the lunch recipe collection.
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