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Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe

This healthy Waldorf salad is a vegan take on the classic Waldorf salad. Deliciously creamy apple cider vinegar dressing is used instead of mayonnaise for a lighter and fresher version. Perfect for your Labor Day vegan menu!

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Overhead Shot with Walnuts and Grapes around the Plate

 

Thank you North Coast for sponsoring this post. The content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

With Labor Day coming up, the end of summer grilling season is near. Being the last gasp of summer, Labor Day weekend might be your last chance to throw an awesome BBQ party with all the amazing late summer foods.

If you are looking for some inspiration for your Labor Day (vegan) menu, here is a side dish your family would definitely enjoy. This healthy vegan Waldorf salad would surely be a highlight of your Labor Day menu. No one would guess how healthy it is, as it tastes forbiddingly good! Plus it is completely vegan, too!

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Hands Holding a Bowl above the Table

 

Combining late summer and early fall flavors, this salad is especially good for your Labor Day menu because all of the ingredients are in season. Here is why you should be happy about it.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - with Apples and Grapes on the Table and a Fork in the Salad

 

Why Eating Seasonal is Good for You?

 

I love eating seasonal because that’s my chance to get a little extra nutrients and help the environment. I try to buy locally grown, sustainable and organic foods whenever possible. It’s not only beneficial for your health but also for the environment and your wallet.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Walnuts Ingredient Closeup

 

Health wise, seasonal eating offers you the best quality foods with as much nutrients and as less contaminates as possible. They don’t get spoiled during transportation, because they are locally grown and sold right away at the peak of their season. Fruits and veggies don’t have time to lose their health benefits and flavor if they aren’t shipped far.

On the other hand, foods that are out of season have to travel from afar to reach your local grocery store. They have to be harvested before the peak of their ripeness to be able to sustain the shipping. That makes them more expensive and less nutritious, not to mention less flavorful.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Cashew Dressing in a Bowl on Top of the Salad

 

Eating seasonal saves tons of energy used on transportation, storage and refrigeration that makes seasonal foods cheaper, more sustainable and environmentally-friendly. Seasonal produce means that it has reached the peak of its supply, so the cost of it is the lowest. That makes it cheap for farmers to harvest and for retailers to sell. It’s also nice to support your local farmers and community by purchasing their fresh produce!

 

Each season offers plenty of fresh produce and allows you to vary your diet and try new recipes incorporating seasonal foods and veggies. Late summer and early fall is time for apples, grapes, tomatoes, sweet corn and figs.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Grapes Ingredient Closeup

 

It’s always great to discover sustainable brands that care about environment, nutrition and their customers satisfaction. North Coast is one of those amazing brands you feel so excited with you tell all your friends about it. North Coast is committed to sustainability and produce organic products of the highest quality. Their products include freshest organic apple juices, apple sauces, ciders and vinegars all made from freshly-pressed ripe California-grown apples.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Apples Ingredient Closeup

 

I’ve got a chance to try their organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar that can be used in so many ways! Add it to salad dressings for a little tangy note, use it as a baking agent along with baking soda to make your baked goods lift (same counts for fluffy pancakes), add to marinades, use it for your skin, hair and teeth or as a food preservative. The possibilities are endless!

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Vegan Mayo Dressing and a Bottle of North Coast Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Raw unfiltered and organic apple cider vinegars contain healthy probiotics and enzymes, providing numerous health benefits that include but are not limited to:

  • regulation of blood sugar levels;
  • has anti-bacterial properties;
  • helps you lose weight;
  • lowers cholesterol;
  • improves heart health;
  • keeps your gut healthy;
  • improves digestion;
  • and soothes a sore throat.

 

Today I’m sharing this Waldorf salad with healthy apple vinegar-based dressing instead of mayonnaise. North Coast organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar makes it extra nutritious and very tasty!

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - with Ingredients in the Background on the Table

 

How to Make Waldorf Salad?

 

Waldorf salad is an essence of late summer and early fall: crispy apples, sweet grapes, crunchy walnuts coated in savory vegan cashew-apple cider vinegar “mayo” and served on lettuce leaves.

According to Wikipedia, Waldorf salad was invented in 1896 by Oscar Tschirky, the maître d’hôtel of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - All Ingredients in One Place Overhead

 

The original recipe contained of apples, celery and mayonnaise. Nowadays you can find plenty of variations of this dish. Adding raisins, walnuts, cauliflower, chicken or tuna and using yogurt dressing instead of mayo are some of the most popular twists.

My favorite version of the Waldorf salad includes apples, grapes, walnuts, parsley and lettuce with creamy apple cider-vinegar cashew dressing.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - the Mix of All Ingredients on the Table

 

Since many people (including my husband and me) don’t like celery, I skipped it without losing in taste, but feel free to add it, if you like.

Start by making the dressing. Place soaked cashews, apple cider vinegar, mustard, agave syrup, nutritional yeast into a high speed blender and pulse until smooth gradually adding water until the dressing looks as thick as mayonnaise. Try and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Making the Dressing in a Blender

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Pouring Cashew Dressing Over the Dish

 

Slice grapes in halves. Core and chop apples. Combine grapes, apples, toasted walnuts and chopped parsley with the dressing and stir well. Serve the vegan Waldorf salad on a bed of fresh lettuce. Enjoy!

Celebrate Labor Day with this healthy Waldorf salad and don’t be sad because summer is coming to an end. I know it always feels bitter sweet but there is so much to look forward to in fall!

 

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Overhead Shot with Walnuts and Grapes around the Plate

 

Here is my healthy and vegan Waldorf salad recipe for your Labor Day menu:

Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe - Overhead Shot with Walnuts and Grapes around the Plate
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5 from 8 votes

Healthy Waldorf Salad with Apple Vinegar Dressing

This healthy Waldorf salad is a vegan take on the classic Waldorf salad. Deliciously creamy apple cider vinegar dressing is used instead of mayonnaise for a lighter and fresher version. Perfect for your Labor Day vegan menu!
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 611kcal

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 1 cup cashews soaked (to quickly soak your cashews, use this method)
  • 2 tablespoons North Coast organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon agave syrup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • about 1/3 cup water
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Waldorf salad:

  • 8 oz or 220 g red seedless grapes about 1 1/2 cups
  • 3-4 crisp apples
  • 3/4 cup or 95 g walnuts toasted
  • 3 tablespoons parsley chopped
  • 5-8 leaves fresh lettuce

Instructions

Make the dressing:

  • Start by making the dressing. Place soaked cashews, apple cider vinegar, mustard, agave syrup, nutritional yeast into a high speed blender and pulse until smooth gradually adding water until the dressing looks as thick as mayonnaise. Try and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Prepare the salad:

  • Slice grapes in halves. Core and chop apples. Combine grapes, apples, toasted walnuts and chopped parsley with the dressing and stir well. Serve the Waldorf salad on a bed of fresh lettuce. Enjoy!

Notes

Instead of serving the salad on a bed of lettuce, you can chop the lettuce leaves and toss them in the salad.
If you don't plan to serve the salad immediately after you've made it, store it separately from the walnuts and the dressing in the fridge for up to 3 days. Combine directly before serving.
The excessive dressing can be used for as a dip or spread for sandwiches and wraps.

Nutrition

Calories: 611kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 749mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 4.2mg
Tried this recipe?Follow @happykitchen.rocks on Instagram and show me the recipes you are making from my blog using the hashtag #happykitchenrocks!

Other Easy Salad Recipes You’ll Love:

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Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe Served with a Fork Collage with Text Overlay
Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe Served with a Fork Collage with Text Overlay
Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad Recipe Served with a Fork Collage with Text Overlay
Recipe Rating




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Drsteele

Wednesday 27th of May 2020

If you want to really give this a nice twist without having celery then use sliced rhubarb instead of the celery!!

Elena Szeliga

Thursday 28th of May 2020

That's a great idea! Hope I can try it with rhubarb this year before the season is over

Helena

Thursday 16th of May 2019

I love various spins on classic recipes - there are always so many great ways to give old recipes a new life. Delicious salad!

Elena Szeliga

Friday 17th of May 2019

Looks like we share tastes Helena!

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About Elena Szeliga

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Elena Szeliga is the founder of Happy Kitchen.Rocks, where she shares delicious and healthy vegetarian and vegan food, from weeknight dinners to veganized classics and gourmet appetizers. Her recipes have been featured at Better Homes & Gardens, BuzzFeed, Country Living, The Kitchn and Reader’s Digest. Her mission is to help cook easy vegetarian and vegan meals with simple and fresh ingredients. Read more about Elena.

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