Red Delicious Apple Salad Recipe
Red Delicious apples stay crisp and mildly sweet raw, which is exactly the texture this salad needs since the variety turns soft and mealy when cooked; a light lemon toss keeps the diced fruit from browning while it sits in the creamy dressing.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
Ingredients
- 4 medium Red Delicious apples, cored and diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
- 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 225
- Protein
- 3g
- Carbs
- 27g
- Fat
- 14g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
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Instructions
- 1Wash and dice the Red Delicious apples into 1/2-inch pieces, leaving the skin on for color and texture.
- 2Toss the diced apples with the lemon juice in a large bowl right away to slow down browning.
- 3Add the celery, halved grapes, and chopped walnuts to the apples.
- 4In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and honey until smooth.
- 5Pour the dressing over the apple mixture and fold gently with a rubber spatula until everything is coated.
- 6Season with salt and a few grinds of black pepper, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Tips & variations
- Choose apples that feel heavy and hard with tight, glossy skin; Red Delicious apples soften from the inside out in storage, so a shriveled or soft-feeling one is already past its best raw texture.
- Swap the walnuts for pecans or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
- Add a handful of dried cranberries or raisins along with the grapes for extra sweetness.
- For a lighter dressing, replace the mayonnaise entirely with plain Greek yogurt and add an extra teaspoon of honey.
Storage & reheating
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The apples will soften and release some liquid as they sit, so stir well before serving and expect a softer texture on day two. This salad is served cold and isn't meant to be reheated.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Dice the apples and celery to roughly the same size so every bite gets a mix of crunch and sweetness.
- If packing this for lunch, keep the dressing in a separate small container and toss it in right before eating so the apples stay crisper longer.
FAQ
Are Red Delicious apples good for a salad like this?
Yes, this is one of the best uses for them. Their mild sweetness and crisp raw bite work well against the tangy dressing, and unlike baking, no heat is involved to expose the mealy texture they can develop when cooked.
Why do Red Delicious apples get mealy when baked?
Their cell walls break down faster under heat than firmer varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, so the flesh turns soft and grainy instead of holding its shape, which is why they're generally used raw rather than in pies or baked apple dishes.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
It can be made up to a few hours ahead and refrigerated, but for the best texture, add the apples and dressing within a day of serving since the apples continue to soften the longer they sit in the dressing.
Can I substitute a different apple variety?
Yes. Honeycrisp or Gala both work well and hold slightly more crunch over time, though Red Delicious gives the mildest, sweetest flavor of the common options.