Honeycrisp Apple Salad Recipe

ByAnn Drake January 22, 2023April 28, 2023

Fresh and easy Honeycrisp apple salad recipe that can be made in a just a few minutes. The perfect side dish for any lunch or dinner!

I’m sharing this Honeycrisp apple salad recipe today in honor of my mom. When my mom was cooking for our family of six, she made this quite a bit, and it was always a treat. As some of you may remember, my mom was diagnosed with dementia in 2009, and passed away in 2016. When she first began showing signs of her illness, my dad began to spend time in the kitchen with her, and she taught him how to make some of their favorite dishes.

Over the years, he has simplified many of the recipes to make things easier, as is the case with this apple salad. This Honeycrisp apple salad is actually my dad’s version, and it has such a fresh taste. I tend to make more apple recipes in the fall, but not this one. This apple salad is delicious any time of the year!

Which apples are best for salads?

Any kind of apples can be used…just use what you have on hand, or your favorite. Some other good choices in addition to Honeycrisp are Gala, Granny Smith apples, Golden Delicious, or Fuji apples. It’s also delicious to use a mix of different types of apples.

Ingredient Notes + Variations

In my family, the celery and walnuts are not optional! Other good add-ins are raisins, dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles, feta cheese, or other types of nuts such as sliced almonds, pecans, or lightly salted peanuts.
Miracle Whip or regular mayonnaise can be substituted for the light mayonnaise, however the taste of the salad will change accordingly.
My mom always added sugar to the mayonnaise because it adds a bit of sweetness. If you prefer to leave it out, the salad will still be delicious.
To turn this apple salad into a main course, add chunks of chicken or turkey.

How to Make

Place the chopped apples, celery and walnuts in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, stir or whisk the light mayonnaise and sugar until smooth.
Pour mayonnaise mixture over apples/celery/walnuts and toss until well combined.
Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

TIPS

It’s a personal decision whether or not to peel the apples before adding them to the salad. I love the skin, and it adds great color and texture to the dish.
This honeycrisp apple salad is best served immediately after the refrigeration time. It won’t keep overnight, so make sure to eat it all!
Don’t skip the refrigeration time before serving. It’s necessary for the flavors to meld together.
To make this apple salad ahead, chop the ingredients and lightly drizzle the apples with lemon juice. Keep the ingredients separate in the refrigerator. You can do this several hours in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not exactly the same, but very similar.

The original Waldorf salad was first served in 1893 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was made from just three ingredients: apples, celery, and mayonnaise.

The original Waldoft salad dressing was made from one ingredient: mayonnaise.

SHOP + SOURCE

The Right Tools: the right tools make spending time in the kitchen much more productive and enjoyable!

*Affiliate links included. See my disclosure statement. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

DON’T FORGET TO sAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!

Making this Honeycrisp apple salad recipe brings back such good memories, and it always reminds me of times gone by. For a few years after my mom passed away, I could only think of her as she was when she was ill. I wasn’t capable of remembering back before that. Those days are gone, and now I remember my mom as she really was. Fun, loving, caring, and one of the best cooks ever!

More Delicious Recipes!