Gluten-Free Waldorf Salad
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
A refreshing and classic Waldorf Salad, reimagined to be entirely gluten-free. Crisp apples and tender celery are tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, offering a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors with satisfying crunch.
At a glance: This medium salads and sides recipe yields 4 servings in about 35 minutes (15 min prep, 20 min cook). It uses 9 ingredients — including chopped crisp apples, chopped celery, halved seedless red grapes — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more salads and sides recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Waldorf Salad: When preparing this salads and sides recipe, exercise caution with ingredients like mayonnaise and nuts, as they can be processed in facilities that also handle gluten. Always look for certified gluten-free labels to prevent cross-contamination In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Waldorf Salad: This recipe is naturally free from gluten-containing grains. Ensure all processed ingredients, like mayonnaise and nuts, are certified gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped crisp apples (like Fuji or Honeycrisp)
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 1 cup halved seedless red grapes
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 0.5 cup gluten-free mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (verify GF)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the salad base by combining the chopped apples, celery, and grapes in a large mixing bowl. Ensure the apples are cut into bite-sized pieces and the celery is thinly sliced for optimal texture. This step should take about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the gluten-free mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and Dijon mustard until smooth and well combined. This forms the creamy dressing base and should take about 2-3 minutes.
- 3
Add the salt and black pepper to the dressing mixture and whisk again to fully incorporate the seasonings. Taste the dressing and adjust salt or pepper as needed for your preference, which should take about 1 minute.
- 4
Pour the prepared dressing over the apple, celery, and grape mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing. This mixing process should take approximately 3-5 minutes.
- 5
Gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans into the salad, distributing them evenly for added crunch. Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 10-15 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This chilling time contributes to the total cook time of 20 minutes.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- Roll the lemon firmly on the counter before cutting to get significantly more juice.
- Warm honey (set the jar in hot water for a few minutes) makes it easier to measure and pour.
- Roast vegetables in a single layer with space between them — crowded pans steam instead of caramelize.
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