Classic 1920’s Waldorf Salad Recipe
This new take on a classic 1920’s waldorf salad recipe is an easy and delicious recipe that can be made into a side dish or a filling main with just a few adjustments. This creamy, crunchy salad is a “must have” in your recipe collection!
It’s time for another round of fun traditional recipes reinvented in my series called Historically Hungry! This month Amy and I thought it would be so fun to dive into the 1920’s and do fun salads of the times! Amy made this awesome Caesar Salad you see below. To read her post and get her recipe, click here.
What did people in the 1920’s eat?
Ah, the Roaring Twenties. Flapper dresses, speak easies, snazzy suits, and jazz.
But, uh… besides gin made in a bathtub, what did people actually eat during this time?
Well, to answer that we also have to think about two important things that happened during this time – prohibition and suffrage.
Also, WW1 was over, and people no longer had to scrimp, save, and conserve food – so people were willing to indulge more now. Most American kitchens now had electricity, and therefore freezers, so frozen dinners started to become popular. Sandwiches, lunch meats, finger foods, ! Sweet, cold salads were all the rage in the 20’s.
I wanted to make a classic Waldorf Salad – its a lovely and fun lunch. I also love how its one of those recipes where everyone thinks it should be made differently. As ingredients go in and out of “vogue”, its recipe evolves.
In fact, even the man who is credited with creating the recipe never kept it the same and each book he published had a different set of ingredients.
Originally it was only made with apples, celery and mayo.
Then walnuts were added.
There is even a big controversy about whether or not you should add chicken!
Make this Waldorf salad and another fun historical favorite, the 7 layer salad and take them to your next picnic or potluck for a fun retro flair!
How to make this recipe:
I decided to update the recipe a little bit from the classic version to make it a little healthier and give it a little more modern. I swapped out the mayo for plain greek yogurt, used a combination of purple and golden raisins (because I could), and definitely added chopped walnuts in addition to the crisp apple and celery!
With a little salt, pepper and a sprinkling of paprika, this easy salad is ready to enjoy!
You can either leave the chicken out for a fun side dish or add in some chopped grilled chicken for a perfect light meal served with toast, over a bed of lettuce, or in a wrap.
Try these other great salad recipes:
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Classic 1920's Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
- 1 honeycrisp apple
- 1 cup grapes quartered
- 2 stalks celery diced
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup walnuts
- salt and pepper
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 cup chicken breast optional
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl and toss to combine.
- Enjoy!
Great salad idea! This is something I’m going to have to try making, I love the ingredients!
I always love reading your historically hungry posts. They just make me so happy and you always include the best information! This salad looks so wonderful and I’m going to have to make it for lunch this week while my girls are on spring break!
Oh I love this salad! It reminds me of my mom, she would always make this to take to gatherings or parties, it was one of her favorites too!
I love Waldorf salad and also love that you used yogurt in place of mayo. I could eat this as a main course for dinner.
I haven’t had a waldorf salad in what seems like years ! Your recipe looks delicious, it’s such a unique party food.
This looks like the perfect waldorf salad! I need to make this for lunch!
I love a good recipe revamp! Waldorf is such a classic salad, and yours looks so delicious. I’m looking forward to seeing which historical recipes you’ll tackle next!
I have never even heard of Waldorf salad, so I have no idea if it is classic or not. But it sure looks good!
You know I don’t think I’ve ever had a Waldorf salad. I’m shaking my head now because I love all kinds of salads and that looks awesome! Sincerely, that looks awesome and I’m going to make it this weekend.
This salad is a classic! I don’t think we’ve ever made it and not sure why not. All the ingredients are tasty. I think it would be a hit with my husband and son! Yours looks so tasty and easy to prepare!! Saving this one for later.
This looks really delicious! I can’t wait to try your recipe! I love this salad at potlucks!
I never realized that a Waldorf salad originated in the 1920’s…interesting. I’m a big fan of the ingredients in one but have never actually made one. Think I’ll put that on my to do list.
True story: I have never even tasted, let alone tried to make a waldorf salad. And I don’t know why! I love all of the ingredients involved. I must right this wrong ASAP!