Waldorf Salad Recipe From Waldorf Astoria Hotel

The Waldorf salad may be over a century old, but even today, it remains a timeless American classic. The apple and walnut salad was first created in the late 1800s at New York's legendary Waldorf=Astoria Hotel, where it's still the most frequently requested recipe on the menu. We stopped in to the kitchen where it all began and saw firsthand how the original Waldorf salad is prepared. See how the salad's prepared - it's even lighter and more refreshing than you might think! - then get the recipe.

[@Ciscoho]

I think Fawlty Towers had more to do with educating the world on what a Waldorf salad was than any marketing scheme the hotel ever came up with.

[@insertclevername4123]

Even though it was probably 15-20 years between the first time I saw that episode and the first time I ever actually tried a Waldorf salad, you could wake me up from a dead sleep demanding to know what was in it and I could reply, "No cheese! It's celery! Apples! Walnuts! Grapes! In mayonnaise!"

[@aces.9738]

Fawlty Towers - - the funniest sitcom on TV.

[@veecee3669]

Some things are perfect in their original form and don't need to be changed; the Waldorf Salad is one of those things. If the chef wants to make a nouvelle version, fine; just list it alongside the original version and serve both; it would be interesting to see which version is ordered more frequently.

[@catheyharris6039]

I agree

[@bettfon3541]

In 1896, the salad appeared in The Cook Book by "Oscar of the Waldorf".[6] The original recipe was just apples, celery, and mayonnaise.[7] It did not contain nuts, but they had been added by the time the recipe appeared in The Rector Cook Book in 1928.

[@SAHBfan]

Wow… that is a long way away from the original :-o

[@loulou32st]

Thank you for this great recipe !! I love it ....

[@SoniaJbrt]

Love the salad dressing, and the julienne apples! Great advice!

[@shaz3r786]

I feel this Waldorf Salad is quite Fawlty... Celery, apples, walnuts, grapes, in mayonnaise

[@huskyfaninmass1042]

Ever tried a Ritz Salad?

[@sandoga]

😂😂😂😂

[@joshhutchison6201]

@@huskyfaninmass1042 No and I don't think I ever will.

[@huskyfaninmass1042]

@@joshhutchison6201 Yeah, well that's probably pretty sound.

[@indigoviperlondon8838]

@@huskyfaninmass1042 ha ha!!! Do glad someone said this!!! It should never be forgotten. Funniest show ever!!!!

[@Jonsey-lm5sv]

I stayed at the Waldorf in 2016, and the first thing I ate there was their famous Waldorf Salad. It didn’t look anything like the one from this video. It was the traditional version that everyone thinks of. It was delicious and lovely, but of course expensive (around $30 for a very small, albeit visually attractive salad). I don’t recall seeing anything like the one from this vid...thank God.

[@melanieryan7756]

I'm kind of disappointed that you can't even get a classic Waldorf salad at the Waldorf-Astoria. LOL. Candied walnuts? Yoghurt dressing? Truffles? Come on guys, quit trying to mark your territory and keep it classic. It's famous for a reason.

[@daveklein2826]

BOO HOO

[@tinae8433]

I agree. This recipe looks good but it's not the Waldorf salad we've gone for in past years. Sadly at this time all of NY has changed.

[@patressakearns4290]

I agree. This looks like it might be good, but it's too much of a departure from the classic to be called Waldorf salad anymore.

[@bethbartlett5692]

I agree, its important to eat healthy foods, but it is also important to maintain Historic Recipes. This is an example of how History gets diluted and edited in less than 75 - 100 years. Put the original on the Menu and offer a lighter Version. ...guess which one will be more popular.

[@miadavis9721]

I don't ever remember my momma putting any of that but apples & walnuts raisins mayo celery WHAT The Heck is going on with that

[@DMG118]

Changing the ingredients?! This isn't a Waldorf Salad! It's apples! walnuts! celery! grapes! In a mayonnaise sauce!

[@perryplatypus7353]

granny smith apples even... in the original recipe

[@alma14594]

Ha! Fawlty Towers.

[@commodorevn6557]

"What's a waldorf? A walnut that's gone off?"

[@MarcPipistrello]

Alma Mora spotted it! Fawlty Towers quote. Lol

[@donrosscojoe5014]

I think the kitchen is all out of waldorfs

[@dougeastman]

"Chef, what would you recommend if you don't have a mandolin at home?" "You can use a sharp knife." *Smirk*

[@MsStarbucks07]

I blame the girl for asking that -.-

[@souldreamer9056]

@@MsStarbucks07 -if I don’t have a sharp knife, would a wooden spoon work?

[@adelaolivero9966]

For the tin mold, I used a med size tomato sauce can and opened both sides with a can opener and...voilà

[@MauriceDepestre]

Great Advice! Thx, I was about to get on a wild hunt for a tin mold :)

[@jasminagirl1814]

Thanks for the idea...

[@betheidea]

i think we're all out of waldorf

[@noela404]

betheidea Would you prefer a Ritz Salad ?

[@sharpasaneraser]

+betheidea you guys and your john cleese references...Farty Towels

[@cathys949]

I make spiced nuts just like this, with my own spice blend, as Christmas gifts. They are always in demand! FYI you can sub Splenda instead of sugar if you wish, but it won't make the nice crunchy crust you get with sugar.

[@CaseyMcots]

He does a very nice job putting up with that headache of a "host"

[@anniedaynoww]

What exactly made her a headache in your opinion?

[@jinchun866]

To be honest, I liked the questions from the host. Far too often, chefs explain recipes without underlying thoughts behind steps. Also, it's very true that regular people would never have things like walnut oil in their cupboards, so learning of alternatives is very helpful.

[@feralkat9370]

She gave me a headache as well, very shouty and too plain Jane to be at the Waldorf! Lol

[@kathb1683]

It's beautiful!

[@TheLatchford]

WHY MESS ABOUT WITH A CLASSIC?

[@anniedaynoww]

Yeah! Horse drawn carriage was a classic! Why did they have to ruin it with automobiles!?

[@zuzuvalle]

Essa salada é realmente deliciosa.

[@MinalPateriya]

what a wonderful recipe :-)

[@usermikes]

It's not an original Waldorf salad once you make a change....

[@angelinasuazo5705]

Jack Val Thank you. I agree.

[@anniedaynoww]

It's an original recipe the way if I wrote a song it would be an original song. You can make changes.

[@MsStarbucks07]

Andy Castaneda if you wrote a song, it’d be the original song, but if I took that same song and made some changes, it’s no longer original... I know this was a year ago... but I had to correct you on your stupidity of a response that made absolutely NO sense

[@nobodyimportant_23]

This lady: how important is this ingredient Chef: you don't need it at all

[@angelinasuazo5705]

I think the speaking host was very nice, gracious, and I liked how she seemed to be thinking of the people at home, by her accommodating questions that she would ask the chef, she was just trying to ensure that everybody's needs were met, in the case that substitutions might have to be made. Really smart actually. And good PR. The chef however, was trained to think that what he was preparing, was passing off as Waldolf salad. I won't comment too much on that, because anybody that knows, and loves, and grew up eating Waldolf salad, would be able to see right away, that this version of it is a joke, and alot is missing, since they turned it into a mock dish, unrecognizable from anything we've known.

[@raanafancy2879]

This is so elegantly done. Better than cubes and chunks of apples. Art on a platter.

[@dmblum1]

If you're lazy or busy, diced apple, roasted walnuts, and half fat mayo tastes really good as well, and takes about 5 minutes.

[@eoinohara8543]

this looks like such s fru fru version of s Waldorf salad... like the idea of a Waldorf salad, rather than the actual thing.

[@expo1706]

very fancy salad. I used to have walnut oil, or hazelnut, ran out, and truffle. My husband doesn't like it though, the truffle one. I do. but who really has those fancy oils and such on hand? No chicken here either.

[@sandoga]

“She said, as she stared deep into the core of my soul.....”

[@khurrammirza4675]

Very nice salad warld roof

[@AJ-bf6hw]

Looks amazing. Is the recipe listed here that I don't see?

[@aces.9738]

The recipe from Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1972. 2 C. diced apples, 1 C. diced celery, 1/3 C. coarsely chopped nuts, 1/2 C. mayo or salad dressing. NO sugar. NO lemon jc. NO eggs. NO microgreens. NO grapes.

[@DMG118]

This isn't a Waldorf salad! A Waldorf salad is walnuts! Apples! Celery! Grapes! In a mayonnaise sauce!

[@alexojideagu]

Hold on the Chef's forgotten aleady, it's lettuce, cheese?

[@huskyfaninmass1042]

NO! NO CHEESE!

[@kannabi]

@@huskyfaninmass1042 IT’S CELERY! APPLES! WALNUTS! GRAPES! …IN MAYONNAISE!

[@tylerjackson2946]

and just how much celerie root is there in a half cup? can we get the weights and the number of servings ?

[@staceykersting705]

I use quite a bit of celery...maybe 2 stalks for every 3 apples. No need to candy the nuts, either.

[@comidinhasdalu4124]

Parabéns

[@gtlkthfc6741]

Why is everybody so mean? I think she did her job well. She asked questions viewers might want to know instead of us.

[@sophiamac9100]

It's mob mentality. One of them (mean-spirited, judgmental hypocrites) starts and they all follow suit..

[@feralkat9370]

​​@@sophiamac9100 Why so 'mean-spirited' and 'judgemental'? The opposite actually. We want to be honest about how awful she is, but are too polite to say so or think we're being too harsh. When we see others feel the same way, we feel like joining in so hopefully she will take the 'hint' and not spoil future shows.

[@brittanyhynd2919]

I believe he got egg shell into the candied walnuts...

[@HoneyBadger1184]

I think we're out of waldorf ;)

[@thundergrace]

I stayed at the waldorf a long time ago..hahaha

[@Suedeifel]

I want a Ritz salad !

[@noela404]

Suedeifel Very well! but I require more of that Mickey Mouse money ;-)

[@johnnykaldani633]

Alls yous get in the slammer is a tossed salad.

[@alexojideagu]

And a couple of Fillet Mingons.........STEAKS.....done rare, not out of a bottle

[@pjpugapillarfan2750]

Well i am Making the TRADITIONAL WAY & ITS MAYO RED WINE VINEGAR SALT & PEPPER TO TASTE TINY BIT SUGAR. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU GUYS!

[@josephbarredo3]

LUXURY ITS BEST #WEAREHILTON WATCHING FROM DUBAI

[@torres0900]

Thanks for using our song!

[@PinkLlamaGrl]

1:55 cross-contamination. Yummm!

[@volkerschulze-desouza5048]

I want to see how he sugars the melt! (2:27)

[@ericmgarrison]

I love how people are getting their underwear in a knot over the novelty of this Waldorf Salad prepared at the hotel that owns it, especially the ones who claim it must contain grapes, etc. Tschirsky’s original recipe was apples and celery, bound with mayonnaise, and seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper. A lettuce bed was optional. So about the “original” 1960s recipes that some of us are lamenting: those were still WAY off from Tschirsky’s minimalist original.

[@ThinkFaust]

It’s sad that someone who has a really cool concept can’t be complimented on putting in the effort to accomplish her dream. Why can’t we treat her as our friend and support her? I wonder what dreams all the haters have and what steps they are taking to accomplish them lol She’s not perfect but I bet she knows that...and she has the courage to put her self on a platform where wolves will tear her apart just so she can learn from experience. COURAGE - AMBITION - ACTION - PASSION. Keep going, my friend. Great smile and great concept. Have fun and enjoy your travels! Let haters hate ❤️

[@seus2731]

I appreciate this version better, as the "original" is loaded with mayo, bad for the heart. Thank you for this healthy version

[@2009jadeorchid]

There is now mayonnaise with olive or avacado oil ~

[@staceykersting705]

Humble home version: Diced apples, lots of celery, walnut pieces (right out of the bag's OK) and either grapes, raisins or dried cranberries Add mayo, sour cream (optional) and a tiny pinch of horseradish to give it a bit of zip. I add maybe a Tbsp of water to thin the mayo, as needed. Absolutely delicious!

[@03Babyboomboom]

How much does the salad cost?

[@InnuendoXP]

But it's like the leaning tower of apple!

[@BigstickNick]

Sure lets go for it....5 seconds later, he takes it back

[@jamesgriffiths8587]

No! No Cheese!!

[@josephdugan4797]

You forgot to mention the hotel owner got the recipe from Rudolph Steiner.

[@MC-gt6yp]

Why not mix a little Mayo with yoghurt to give at least a hint of what the original tasted like? There was no sugar added to the original as the fruits sweetened and contrasted with the mayonnaise. The walnuts were not candied with spice in the original. They were plain toasted.

[@stevena3244]

I wonder if they've ever tried a Ritz salad

[@nickhirst999]

I wonder what Mr Hamilton would have said if Basil had presented him with the above!

[@stevena3244]

@@nickhirst999 The thing is, because of that episode of Fawlty Towers, I actually made a Ritz salad as per the ingredients he mentioned and unbelievably it tasted pretty good🥗😂

[@stevena3244]

@@nickhirst999 Also, imagine if that chef in the video above said 'Sorry, I think we're all out of Waldorfs' 😂😂😂

[@nickhirst999]

@@stevena3244 Well, I've always meant to make a Waldorf Salad but never got round to it until now! I have all the ingredients ready as per Mr Hamilton's recipe! But what's a mayonnaise sauce? Well I made some mayonnaise yesterday that didn't thicken as much as it should so I thought I'd use that! I might try the Ritz Salad in future!

[@nickhirst999]

@@stevena3244 Lol!

[@Stephen-gk3ds]

What if you were all out of Waldorfs?

[@frosannerab1123]

😱

[@nipnipnip7508]

Starts at 1:20

[@andresilva8444]

First thing I do before esting that salad is to make it look like a salad. Mix the whole thing together.

[@noraglora6172]

I've never heard of it though I remember tasting a salad including sliced apples somewhere.. possibly a pizzeria?! I just wish that presenter stop looking to the camera too much and look at her guest! That's like ABC presenting!

[@adelaolivero9966]

My walnuts got burned in 20 min in a °350° oven!!!! I have to start all over again

[@freddievapor3360]

Two screwdrivers please Nothing to drink? Huh? Well you can't drink your screwdrivers then can we. Vodka and Orange Juice. So you won't be needing the screwdrivers? And a couple of filet mignons

[@insertclevername4123]

How would you liked them cooked? And is it alright if they are out of the bottle?

[@stevesamson84]

Why does she keep looking at the camera unnecessarily??

[@joanparsley2332]

scubasteve84 She wants to be discovered.

[@joanparsley2332]

Joan Parsley Maybe it was her first gig.

[@Shawnne86]

She's clearly hoping for confirmation... "Am I doing it right??", aaaaaaand she's not gonna get it. (Camera man's thoughts: They'd better pay me good for this...)

[@anniedaynoww]

What, is she just supposed to stare at the chef and the food ONLY? It's called making a connection with the audience through eye contact. You'll notice it's something that literally every journalist and newscaster does.

[@sudipbasnet3537]

A robotic version of Waldorf 😍

[@twoonthewall]

So not a waldorf salad then.

[@joyceparkes2678]

😋🙏🏽

[@georgeboyd7427]

The presenter constantly staring into the camera is jarring to say the lease...

[@GeminieCricket]

No, I wanted the original recipe, dang.

[@2009jadeorchid]

The 1893 Waldorf Salad is not unhealthful~ The Original recipe was in fact considered to be very diet friendly and proper for everyday health ~ I would refuse to touch this salad made with yogurt as one loses the base favor of this recipe to a watered down version~ The Original 1893 recipe can easily be found on a search engine or old cookbook ~ The only bit of change my family added to the recipe was a tiny speck of dry mustard and add lemon juice to keep the apples fresh ~

[@staceykersting705]

Dry mustard? Interesting. We always added just a tiny bit of horseradish to make the mayo a bit more of a dressing.

[@therojowo]

I think we're just out of waldorfs.

[@huskyfaninmass1042]

I don't believe this.

[@irishpixierose]

Good recipe, but would have preferred to see the original recipe. Disappointed

[@anniedaynoww]

Well this is a video about the Waldorf salad served in the Waldorf Hotel, if you want a different recipe go watch a different video.

[@jasminagirl1814]

Nobel!🙂

[@kulak1982]

What is waldorf anyway? A wallnut that's gone off?

[@crazyoncoffee]

It’s the name of a famous hotel in New York City, called the Waldorf-Astoria, where this salad was first served in the 19th century.

[@namnefternamn5463]

So, even though he is soo proud of the hotel´s herritage he makes an updated version of the recipe. Plus the only reason people all around the world even knows about the saled is because of the Faulty Towers sitcom. Talk about not having a clue..

[@wgb01001]

Flay Otters

[@m.theresa1385]

I would have the original salad weekly at Oscars, it was delicious. This looks good, but not at all like the original. Even with apples and candied walnuts, I very much doubt it has much in relation to the flavor of it either.

[@Operator4you]

All i am talking about food to make for my kid, not art for my family

[@miehoen6212]

This is not at all like the classic Waldorf Salad we enjoyed mid-century. Not impressed at all with "nuvelle" junk.

[@2009jadeorchid]

I cannot imagine using yogurt since the dressing is the whole flavor base ~ The 19th Century recipe has the tangy smooth taste~ Yogurt waters down the flavor and conflicts with the freshness of the fruit~ No one needs so called " friendly bacteria " in their Waldorf Salad ~ The nuvelle is all about food snobbery and has nothing to do with the importance of food history~

[@ingriddubbel8468]

God forbid things change! Get a grip.

[@sarahlouise7163]

@@ingriddubbel8468 believe it or not, people actually want the ORIGINAL recipe. imagine that? idiot

[@harrypottershead8331]

@@sarahlouise7163 fight me irl foul mouth.

[@hueysharapova7175]

Yea, you are a real badass for preferring one fruit and one vegetable slathered with mayo.

[@sayhi2rose]

I agree with Ms. Ryan. I would like the original recipe.

[@castlegate2015]

That lady is camera obsessed.😮

[@squiremuldoon5462]

Yeah , you can tell it’s her first time in the job and hopefully her last.

[@FatNebraskaMom]

Years and years and years of hearing about how elegant and awesome truffles are. Then I got my hands on some and voila.....rotten foot.

[@daveklein2826]

Viola, you have no TASTE

[@sergiogodoy340]

Is stupid not to use mayonnaise. That's not a Waldorf salad anymore.

[@Scadenas88]

Sergio Godoy your not a chef .

[@johnnykaldani633]

You no a chief. If a you are den a you stupid shut up a you moutha. Now passa mia da gabba goo.

[@commodorevn6557]

exactly..

[@sarahlouise7163]

ugh. how hard is it to find a recipe for a CLASSIC Waldorf?? NEXT!

[@Robert-kt8cu]

PUH-CON 1:40 PEE-CAN 1:43

[@SCBJQ]

The chef says he cut out the mayo to make it healthier, then dumped in a whole cup of sugar, which isn't in the original recipe.

[@hueysharapova7175]

Its just a tiny bit on the nuts, dude. Its not like a cup of sugar per salad.

[@abhiralkhatiwada3458]

Nepal

[@michaelford4505]

I’ve never seen an interviewer ask such naive questions.

[@Hi-bb5lo]

I definitely like the original better

[@03Babyboomboom]

Does the China Doll wait tables?

[@amberlyngold7337]

How neceesary is that ringmold? What a stupid question..obviosly its there if you want to make a shape.

[@oneforthemoney5579]

Take those damn sprouts off - good lord

[@schnurrbert]

canadian chef it seems

[@flowercleaner]

stop lookin at the camera

[@inspectortanzi]

This salad is done rare - not out of a bottle.

[@johnnytastetest]

I'm guessing this comment section is carefully moderated, because there's no way someone hasn't remarked on how annoying that chick is since this video went up.

[@kelvinapted7032]

The chef is not going to give you the secret of the salad. A SPLAH OF BRANDY INTHE DRESSING or he doesnt really know .Look it up in Larosse gastronomic its a translation of this salad in English

[@etheangel2220]

what is a waldorf anyways? a walnut thats gone off?

[@AnytingGoes]

Gees shes a bit of an effort isnt she

[@EdRo1900]

Interesting choice of ingredients but I’m not too sure about the presentation.

[@johnnytastetest]

Eugh. I'm impressed the chef was able to resist taking that idiot host's head to the mandolin and planing her face off slice by paper-thin slice after she said that. Ha ha.

[@TheLOLFactory1]

Don't fuck around with the classics

[@andrewtilston1124]

What is a waldorf anyway? A wulnut that's gone off?

[@dntstopmenow]

Jeeze that presenter is just all kinds of awful! :S

[@CharlesDickens111]

Yep.