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Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe is a tasty, quick-to-make side dish. Crisp apples, crunchy celery, and a couple of twists on the classic preparation make it a winner for the holidays or any day!
Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe – Healthier Version of a Crowd-Pleasing Favorite
Waldorf Salad was first served at a charity ball at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, back in 1896. Though the original recipe was very simple – nothing more than apples, celery, and lots of mayonnaise – it was a big hit.
Before long, Waldorf Salad recipes were appearing in cookbooks. Home chefs have been adding twists and making it their own ever since. My Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe follows that tradition. It’s a lightened-up version of the classic everybody loves.
Lighter and Brighter!
I like mayonnaise as much as the next person. But with 10 grams of fat and 90 calories per tablespoon, a straight mayo dressing is definitely something I can live without!
Using non-fat Greek yogurt as the base as the dressing for my Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe makes this salad a lot healthier than the original. Adding some honey, a little lemon juice, and a reasonable amount of light mayonnaise to the mix gives you a delicious Waldorf Salad dressing that won’t bust your calorie bank.
Recipe variations on the Waldorf Salads abound. With the holidays just around the corner, I decided to use dried cranberries in mine.
That little touch of sweetness is a nice surprise with the juicy apples, crunch celery, and tangy dressing. And I love seeing bright spots of cranberry red in each bite. Remember, we eat with our eyes and not just our mouths.
You could certainly use regular dried cranberries for this recipe. However, I prefer to go with the 50% lower sugar Craisins. I think they taste even better than the regular variety because the cranberry flavor comes through more strongly. Anytime you can cut down on sugar without compromising on flavor, I think you should!
What Do You Need to Make My Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe?
I really love a recipe that uses simple ingredients that I usually keep on hand. And this Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe definitely qualifies. All you’ll need to make it is…
- Apples (I like Fuji but Granny Smith or Honeycrisp would be good too)
- Celery
- Pecans (You can substitute walnuts if you like)
- Dried cranberries (50% less sugar Craisins are my preferred)
- Lettuce (use a tender variety such as butter lettuce or mixed baby greens)
- Non-fat Greek yogurt
- Light Mayonnaise
- Honey
- Lemon juice
How to Serve My Low Fat Waldorf Salad
This Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe is a great first course or side dish for the holidays. But it’s so simple to prepare that I like serve it during weeknight family dinners too.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and light lunch or dinner, just add chunks of grilled chicken or turkey to the recipe. Lighter Waldorf Salad would be terrific as a main course too.
Whether you’re making it for the holidays or a weeknight dinner for your family, this Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe is a crowd-pleasing classic. Give it a try soon!
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Low Fat Waldorf Salad Recipe
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 2 large apples, cored and chopped into medium dice (Fuji, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 large celery stalks, sliced
- ¼ cup pecans, roughly chopped (can sub walnuts)
- 3 T dried cranberries (50% less sugar Crasins preferred)
- 6 cups mixed baby lettuce
- For the Dressing:
- ½ cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- 3 T light mayonnaise
- 1 T honey
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing. Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, and lemon juice together in a small bowl until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Place diced apple, celery, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries in a medium-sized bowl. Pour in dressing and stir until ingredients are well-combined and the dressing is evenly distributed.
- Divide baby lettuce onto four plates and top with Waldorf Salad and serve.
