Deconstructed Waldorf Salad

Living a healthy lifestyle is becoming an increasingly important part of modern-day society. A delicious way to incorporate healthy eating into your meal plan is by creating a deconstructed Waldorf salad.

This healthy salad takes all the best elements of the classic dish and creates a healthy, flavorful entrée that doesn't skimp on nutrition. The combination of fruits and vegetables along with healthy proteins create a satisfying yet nutritious meal option any time you are in the mood for something light and healthy. Whether eaten as a main dish or side salad, deconstructed Waldorf salad is bound to become one of your favorite healthy recipes.

The decadent Deconstructed Waldorf Salad is a real treat for the taste buds

The decadent Deconstructed Waldorf Salad is a real treat for the taste buds. Deconstructed Waldorf Salad is the ultimate combination of the goodness of nature. Created with the perfect blend of apples, walnuts, and lettuce, the salad offers a delightful crunch and sweetness coupled with the inviting flavor of the dressing. Tangy and aromatic, the salad has an exquisite taste that is sure to tantalize the taste buds. This rustic yet delightful meal will have you coming back for more! With its unique combination of ingredients, Deconstructed Waldorf Salad is the perfect representation of the best elements nature has to offer.

This was inspired by my other recipe on this site, and pairs well with this amazing sidedish recipe.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: n/a
Serves: 4

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The decadent Deconstructed Waldorf Salad is a real treat for the taste buds

Ingredients
Instructions
Variations

Storage
Top tip
Deconstructed Waldorf Salad

Ingredients

Dressing Ingredients:

¼ c. sugar-free mayonnaise
¼ c. Greek yogurt
1½ T. honey, preferably local
1 T. fresh lemon juice
½ t. garlic powder
½ t. saltSalad Ingredients:

1 large head of Bibb lettuce, separated, rinsed, and patted dry
2 medium Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced*
1 c. red seedless grapes, cut in half
2 large stalks of celery, chopped small
½ c. walnuts, roughly chopped
Optional: 2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

*Tip: Granny Smith apples are crisp but somewhat tart. If desired, substitute any crisp, sweet variety instead. (One red and one green apple would make for a nice presentation).

Instructions

Prepare the dressing by combining all ingredients in a bowl and whisking until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Assemble the salad by lining four chilled salad plates with the Bibb lettuce leaves. Top with the apples, grapes, walnuts, and goat cheese, if using.

Drizzle with some of the dressing and serve immediately with the remaining dressing on the side. Enjoy!

Variations

One of the best variations you can use when making Deconstructed Waldorf Salad is to add hard boiled eggs as a great way to change up the flavor profile and give it an extra delicious protein boost. You can also take this delicious salad in a variety of directions by throwing in any combination of fruits, nuts, cheeses and more. Some variations work with yogurt-based dressings while others may benefit from vinaigrettes. The choices are all yours, so let your creativity be your guide! To make the perfect Deconstructed Waldorf Salad, choose variations that complement each other and begin layering the flavors for an amazing salad experience!

Storage

When storing Deconstructed Waldorf Salad in the fridge, it is important to keep storage time in mind. The salad should be stored safely no longer than three days before being discarded. This is because the ingredients are more delicate than traditional Waldorf salads, since they are raw and not cooked. Being aware of storage time when dealing with any type of food can help avoid the growth of bacteria and other unpleasant illnesses. Storing Deconstructed Waldorf Salad for no longer than three days is the best way to ensure a safe and enjoyable meal!

Top tip

When making Deconstructed Waldorf Salad, top tips include toasting some chopped walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes until golden brown. This will add extra crunch and depth of flavor to the salad. It's also important to use either yogurt or mayonnaise as a base for the dressing, as this will bind all of the ingredients together and provide a creamy contrast with the crunchy apples, celery, and walnut topping. Make sure you don't over-dress; it's best to add the dressing one tablespoon at a time and then adjust to taste. Finally top with fresh chives, which bring pops of color as well as adding an onion-like sweetness to balance out the acidity found in yogurt-based dressings. These top tips when followed carefully ensure that your Deconstructed Waldorf salad is creamy, crunchy and delicious.