Old Fashioned Apple Salad is a creamy, crunchy, and refreshing classic made with crisp apples and simple homemade mayonnaise dressing. A perfect side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas feast, or a family meal.
Check out our most-loved matchstick-style apple salad and no-mayo apple coleslaw recipe.
Why will you love this salad?
Some dishes are timeless and will never go out of style. This salad recipe is
- Quick and easy to make. Comes together in minutes.
- Creamy and crunchy. Fresh apples and mayonnaise create delicious contrast.
- A refreshing side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and festive gatherings.
- Easily customize this salad with your favorite fruits and nuts.
Check out some of the best Thanksgiving side dishes and Christmas holiday dinner recipe ideas.
Ingredients
Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith, or even Kashmiri Apples work well. For the best flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples.
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Celery: Adds mild crunch and savory flavor that balances sweetness.
Cranberries: Add a sweet, tart flavor and a festive touch.
Walnuts: toasted for rich nutty flavor and crunch.
For the dressing:
Mayonnaise: for a creamy dressing that brings it all together. Use regular or light mayonnaise.
Sugar balances the tanginess and tartness of apples and cranberries.
Lemon juice: adds brightness and refreshing tang.
Check out the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.
Step-by-step instructions
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- In another bowl, add apples, celery, cranberries, and walnuts. Pour the dressing and toss until everything is well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for atleast 1-2 hours before serving.
Tips
- You can use honey instead of sugar, vinegar instead of lemon juice, and pecans instead of walnuts.
- For a lighter dressing, replace ½ of the mayonnaise with yogurt.
Serving suggestions
- This apple salad is best served as a side with holiday dinner casseroles.
- You can also pair it with roasted chicken or turkey, grilled meat, sandwiches etc.
- A great side for Thanksgiving turkey dinner or a Christmas roast. Refreshing contrast to savory dishes.
Recipe FAQS
I prepare everything first: the dressing, celery, nuts, and lastly, I cut the apples and toss them immediately. You can also sprinkle lemon juice if you are chopping them first.
Yes. You can use yogurt or a combination of Greek yogurt and sour cream instead of mayonnaise.
Store this apple salad in an airtight conatiner in the refrigerator for at atleast 1-2 days.
More holiday side dishes
Recipe card
Old Fashioned Apple Salad | Apple Mayonnaise Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Apples chopped small
- 1 cup Celery chopped small
- 1 cup Cranberries raisins
- 1 cup Walnuts toasted
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- In another bowl, add apples, celery, cranberries, and walnuts. Pour the dressing and toss until everything is well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for atleast 1-2 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
- You can use honey instead of sugar, vinegar instead of lemon juice, and pecans instead of walnuts.
- For a lighter dressing, replace ½ of the mayonnaise with yogurt.
Nutrition
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