This waldorf salad without mayo is an easy but flavourful dish that is perfect as a side for a light lunch or dinner, or to go with other plates for a BBQ or picnic. With some ingredient swaps it is suitable as a low histamine salad, as well as being vegetarian and gluten-free.
Trying to find salads without mayo can be a bit tricky at times, but I have you covered! Perhaps you may also like to see my beetroot broccoli salad, which has a tahini dressing, and my sweet potato couscous salad which is perfect for fall.
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⭐ Why this recipe is so good
- The best crunch. Crisp apple and celery goes so perfectly with the toasted pistachios.
- Without mayo. For those who aren't able to have mayo, this salad uses a honey oil-based dressing instead.
- Easy to make. Super simple, with just a few steps.
🥗 Ingredients
Traditionally, waldorf salad is made with apples, celery, walnuts, grapes and mayo. Sometimes it is served on lettuce, although we haven't ever done that in our family.
So this is my take, and a waldorf salad without mayo:
- Apples: for sweetness and a good crunch. Personally I like gala apples in this recipe, but any you prefer will work!
- Celery: for an even better crunch! Light and refreshing. Did you know that celery is a good source of antioxidants and has generous amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre? (Healthline).
- Pistachio nuts: in place of walnuts, I use pistachio nuts as they rate as low histamine on the SIGHI list. Be sure to use ones that aren't salted or roasted as that would change the flavour.
- Blueberries: in place of grapes. I think blueberries actually taste better, and go so well with the celery and pistachio nuts. Brimming with health benefits, blueberries are known to be a source of the flavanoid anthocyanin, as well as vitamin C and many other nutrients (Medical News Today).
📖 Swap and variations
Swap blueberries for grapes. Both work so well in this salad, and give that pop of sweetness.
Serve on butter lettuce. For some extra greens, and it looks pretty to serve too!
🔪 Step by step instructions
This fun waldorf without mayo takes just a few easy steps to come together:
Step 1
Add the pistachio nuts to a pan (without any oil) and toast on a low heat until they become fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Step 2
Make the honey dressing by combining the oil and vinegar, and stirring well.
Step 3
Combine the fruit and vegetables in a bowl, stir through the pistachios and drizzle over the dressing.
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Toast the pistachios without oil, giving them a stir occasionally so they don't catch and burn.
- Dice the apple last, just before serving, as it can brown easily.
- Halve the blueberries so they are even in size to the other ingredients.
🍽 How to serve
I tend to have this salad as a lunch alongside some fresh mozzarella, and perhaps some new potatoes in the summer months. Or if I have a batch, then my seed crackers are good too.
It can also be lovely as one dish amongst many others at a family BBQ or picnic. A variety of salads, crackers, cheeses and some meat or fish where you can have a bit of everything you fancy is always my idea of a perfect meal! There are lots of recipes you can pair this waldorf salad without mayo with in my low histamine recipes collection.
🥬 More salads to enjoy
Find so many tasty and healthy salads, including my green tahini kale salad and sweet potato couscous salad. Some recent recipes:
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📖 Recipe
Waldorf Salad Without Mayo
Ingredients
- 2 apples diced
- 3 celery sticks diced
- ⅓ cup pistachio nuts halved or crushed
- ⅓ cup blueberries halved
- mint leaves to garnish
For the dressing
- 1.5 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar optional
- 1 teaspoon honey
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper optional
Instructions
- Add the pistachio nuts to a pan (without any oil) and toast on a low heat for 3-4 minutes until they become fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Make the dressing by combining the oil, vinegar (if using), honey, salt and pepper (if using) in a small bowl and stirring well to combine.
- Add all the fruit and nuts to your serving bowl or plate, drizzle over the dressing and garnish with mint. You may have extra dressing left over for another dish. Enjoy!
Notes
- Toast the pistachios without oil, giving them a stir occasionally so they don't catch and burn.
- Dice the apple last as it can brown easily.
- If you prefer to use foods scoring 0 on the SIGHI list, then swap out apple cider vinegar for distilled white vinegar. Or leave out altogether.
- Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- apple cider vinegar, which scores 1.
- black pepper, which scores 2.
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