Celery, Apple and Walnut Salad Recipe
A light salad with celery, apple and walnuts is a fresh snack that pairs well with Polish meat dishes, but also works as a standalone dinner. It’s a bit like the famous Waldorf salad, just in a simpler, homestyle version made from easy-to-find ingredients.
This celery, apple and walnut salad is light, crunchy and fresh, yet substantial enough to stand in for dinner. It combines sweet notes (apple, raisins) with tangy and nutty flavors, reminiscent of the famous Waldorf salad but in a more homely, yogurt-based version. Thanks to its simple ingredient list, it fits perfectly into everyday Polish cooking – you can find everything in any larger supermarket all year round.
Chef's tips
Slice the celery very thinly into half-moons – the thinner the slices, the nicer the crunch and the better it blends with the dressing. It’s worth drizzling the apple with lemon juice right away so it doesn’t brown and keeps a fresh look, especially if you’re making the salad for guests. Toast the nuts in a dry pan until lightly golden and fragrant – this step takes 3–4 minutes and really makes a difference in flavor.
How to serve
Serve it chilled as a side to roast chicken, pork loin or meat patties – at my place it often appears at Sunday dinner instead of cucumber salad. It also works great as a light dinner after a late return from work, served with a slice of wholegrain bread. To drink, serve water with lemon and mint or a dry white wine if you’re planning a more elegant dinner.
Ingredients
- celery stalks - 4 stalk
- crisp apple preferably sweet and tart - 2 piece
- walnuts - 40 g
- raisins optional - 30 g
- yogurt - 120 g
- mayonnaise for a more pronounced flavor - 1 tablespoon
- lemon juice - 1.5 tablespoon
- honey or sugar - 1 teaspoon
- salt a pinch, to taste
- pepper to taste
Preparation
- Roughly chop the walnuts with a knife. If you have a moment, you can toast them in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes over medium heat until fragrant – they’ll become more aromatic. Set aside to cool.
- Wash the celery thoroughly, remove any strings (you can gently pull them off with a knife) and slice into thin pieces.
- Wash the apples and remove the cores. Cut into thin matchsticks or small cubes. Immediately drizzle with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice so they don’t brown, and mix.
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, mayonnaise, remaining lemon juice, honey, a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed – the dressing should be slightly sweet and tangy.
- Place the chopped celery, apples, raisins and walnuts in a large bowl. Pour over the yogurt dressing and gently toss until everything is well combined.
- Refrigerate the salad for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled.
Storage
Store the salad covered in the fridge and eat within 1 day – the apples will gradually soften and release juice, but a quick stir before serving will refresh the texture.
