Waldorf Salad with Yogurt (No Mayo!)

Name: Waldorf Salad with Yogurt
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 celery stalks (diced); 2 apples (cored, and chopped); 1/2 cup chopped green grapes (red or black will also work as long as they are seeded.); ¼ cup pecan pieces (or walnuts, candied nuts, or pepitas); ½ cup raisins (optional); 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt (or full-fat)

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by Yvette Marquez on November 4, 2022

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Creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy, this Waldorf Salad with Yogurt is a healthy twist on the classic side. Best of all, this simple, kid-friendly recipe requires just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep, making it the perfect addition to your holiday table.

overhead shot of no mayo waldorf salad in a terracotta bowl.

Table of Contents

What is Waldorf Salad?

This dish was created in 1896, by Oscar Tschirky, the maître d’hôtel of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. While the fruit salad was served as an appetizer for a charity ball supporting St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital, the event coincided with the hotel’s grand opening the day prior, so this was one of the very first dishes the much-famed hotel became known for.

Even though it seems unfair that the hotel got the credit instead of Oscar, I suppose “Waldorf salad” sounds fancier than “Oscar salad,” right? Plus, just 3 years after the Waldorf salad was debuted, The Cook Book by “Oscar” Of the Waldorf was first published, so he did eventually get his moment in the spotlight.

The original dish was composed of just green apples, grapes, and celery tossed in mayonnaise before being nestled into a lettuce cup, as Mr. Tschirky wanted a uniform color palette on the plate. The simplicity of the original salad was likely a large contributor to its wide success. Since then, the 4-ingredient salad has gone through multiple iterations, the most notable being that walnuts are now considered essential to the mix.

Modern Waldorf salads sometimes also include dried fruits, orange segments, marshmallows, citrus zest, shredded chicken or turkey. My favorite interpretation is without a doubt making this classic salad with yogurt instead of mayonnaise. No matter how you spin it, you’re sure to love this quintessentially American favorite.

Why I Love This Recipe

As the leaves begin to fall and the nights become nippy, I can’t help but start planning for all my favorite cool-weather holidays. My Mom always used to make the classic Waldorf salad as a Thanksgiving side, so it’s long been a favorite of mine. Luckily, I’ve learned the secret for making it much healthier: yogurt!

This simply delicious fruit and nut salad has been top of mind lately because it’s perfect apple-picking weather right now. This lightened-up twist on the classic swaps low-fat yogurt for rich mayonnaise, adding a nice boost of calcium and protein without all the fat.

If you liked my Piloncillo Poached Pears or Pumpkin Granola Fruit Tarts with Vanilla Yoghurt then you’re sure to love this lighter take on the traditional Waldorf apple salad. Why? Because fruit and yogurt are a match made in heaven, with a perfect balance of sweet and healthy! Any of these tasty treats would be ideal for your next fall gathering, but this apple salad with yogurt is my current obsession.

Aside from being crunchy, sweet, and downright addictive, making Waldorf salad without mayo is so easy. You only need 6 basic ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time before your party-perfect side is ready for the dinner table. Especially popular around the holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, this dish can be served as a light appetizer or as a side dish.

red apples in a carved wooden bowl next to wintry greenery and a candle.

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you don’t need much to make this delicious apple yogurt salad. Here’s what to grab:

Celery Stalks – Not a fan of celery’s stringiness? Give it a quick once over with a vegetable peeler first. All the strings are in the outer skin!
Apples – Use any variety you like to eat out of hand. I suggest sweet, crisp varieties like Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, but feel free to go Oscar’s way and use tart Granny Smith’s instead!
Green Grapes – Red or black will also work!
Pecans – I like the sweetness of pecans, but feel free to swap in walnuts if you prefer. Take things up a notch by swapping in candied nuts, or go nut-free by using sunflower seeds instead.
Raisins – While these are totally optional, I love Waldorf salad with raisins.
Low-Fat Plain Yogurt – You can also use full-fat if you prefer.

How To Make Waldorf Salad Without Mayo

This easy Waldorf salad comes together in a flash. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Prep. Wash and chop fruit and celery.

Step 2: Assemble. Combine all chopped ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir in yogurt.

Step 3: Serve at room temperature or chilled. Enjoy!

Optional Variations

As I mentioned earlier, there are a LOT of variations on the Waldorf fruit salad. Here are a few to consider:

Chicken Waldorf Salad – Add shredded poached chicken to the mix for a lovely sandwich filling. Or make these Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
Turkey Waldorf Salad – Use your turkey leftovers to make a whole new spin on a Thanksgiving sandwich.
Waldorf Salad with Broccoli – Raw broccoli (or cauliflower) florets make for a tasty and healthy addition.
Waldorf Tuna Salad – Open and drain a can of tuna before flaking it in for an added boost of protein.
Sweet Waldorf Salad – Get a bit more indulgent by swapping in Cool Whip for half of the yogurt.

Did you come up with a delicious Waldorf salad ingredient the world should know about? Let me know in the comments below or tag me on Instagram (@muybuenocookbook) so I can cheer you on!

Expert Tips

Toast your nuts for the best flavor.
Slice a bunch of grapes at once using this brilliant method.
Keep your apples from turning brown by following these easy steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Waldorf salad dressing made of?

The classic salad dressing is just mayonnaise with salt and pepper. Here I make my Waldorf salad with yogurt in place of the mayo for a lighter salad and a bit of tang.

What type of salad is a Waldorf salad?

I’d classify it as a fruit salad with nuts!

Is Waldorf salad healthy?

Since it’s mostly made from fruit, nuts, and celery, even the original Waldorf salad is pretty healthy in my book. My modern take gives it a boost of calcium and protein by swapping in yogurt for the mayo, which also has the added benefit of cutting back on the fat.

More Holiday-Ready Salad Recipes

creamy waldorf salad with yogurt in a painted black and terracotta bowl with two bunches of green grapes on a thanksgiving inspired embroidered tablecloth.

Photography by Jenna Sparks