A popular Thanksgiving and Christmas salad, Beauchamp Orchard Salad – also known as Waldorf Salad, is easy, impressive, and full of fun fall and festive flavors. Put this pretty dish on the table, and everyone will want seconds!

deconstructed salad

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There’s a knack for entertaining so that you’re not stuck in the kitchen when you have company. That’s where dishes like this amazing fruit-filled salad really save the day. Most of it can be made ahead of time, so all you need to do is put the finishing touches on it and serve.

What’s a Beauchamp Orchard Salad?

Edouard Beauchamp was the Waldorf Hotel’s first executive chef more than 130 years ago, and he, along with Oscar Tschirky, the hotel’s first maitre d’hotel, are credited with creating the now-famous Waldorf Salad.

apple green salad

Beauchamp Orchard Salad – AKA Waldorf Salad

Beauchamp Orchard Salad is, in fact, a Waldorf salad. But the story of its creation is so fun and interesting that I call this salad a Beauchamp Orchard Salad instead. It’s always a conversation starter!

My tasty twist on a classic Waldorf salad recipe includes lettuce and cabbage, along with apples or pear, blue cheese, and a sweet and tangy dressing that ties it all together. Don’t forget to top your salad with these amazing sweet and spicy pecans

sliced apple on salad

Why I love this recipe

  • It’s delicious and so pretty! 
  • The combination of flavors is unique and delightful!
  • I can get the salad ready and just dress it before serving.
  • It’s the perfect holiday salad!

deconstructed salad ingredients

Gather these ingredients

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Napa cabbage
  • Apple – Gala or honeycrisp are my favorite in this salad.
  • Blue cheese crumbles
  • Walnut oil 
  • Rice wine vinegar
  • Shallots – Finely minced.
  • Lemon juice – From a fresh lemon.
  • Maple syrup – Use real maple syrup.
  • Sweet and spicy pecans

Beauchamp Salad

Napa cabbage vs. regular cabbage

What is napa cabbage, and what’s the difference between it and regular cabbage? A lot, actually. Cabbage, the big round green ball of cabbage that’s finely shredded into coleslaw, won’t work in this recipe. It is too waxy, fibrous, and tough to eat. Napa cabbage, however, is quite the opposite. Also called Chinese cabbage, this lettuce looks more like a large head of lettuce, and the cabbage is tender and soft and perfect in this salad.

How to make Beauchamp Orchard Salad

  1. Cut or tear the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and coarsely chop the napa cabbage.
  2. Toss the lettuce, cabbage, sliced apple, and blue cheese crumbles in a large bowl.
  3. Whisk together the walnut oil, vinegar, shallots, lemon juice, and maple syrup until emulsified.
  4. Pour over the salad before serving, and toss to combine.
  5. Top with Sweet and Spicy Pecans.

ingredients for Beauchamp Orchard Salad

Tips & substitutions

  • Pear is also delicious in this Beauchamp Orchard Salad recipe. Use it instead of the apple, or go with half apple, half pear!
  • Walnut oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and has a sweet, nutty flavor. However, mild-tasting olive oil will also work in this recipe.
  • Shallots look like small onions and have a mild flavor. If you can’t find shallots, sweet onion could be substituted.
  • You can prep the lettuce and cabbage several hours ahead of time and keep them in the fridge.
  • Mix the dressing a few hours ahead of time, too. I like to mix dressings in a jar with a tightly fitting lid, so I can just shake the jar to mix this Waldorf salad dressing.

apple salad with nuts

Serving suggestions

I’ve been known to just have a bowlful of this salad for a light lunch or dinner, but it is a stunning appetizer or first course to hearty stews, stuffed peppers, or roasted pork. I also love this easy Waldorf salad with sandwiches and, of course, a delicious bowl of soup.

Storage

Once tossed with the dressing, this salad won’t keep for long. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and eat them as soon as possible. Or, keep the greens separate from the dressing and store them in the fridge. The greens will keep for a day or two, and the dressing for 3-4 days.

red apple sliced

Check out these awesome salad recipes while you’re here

deconstructed salad
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Get the Recipe:

Beauchamp Orchard Salad - AKA Waldorf Salad

From the cookbook, Where Women Cook! Celebrate! Get the Sweet and Spicy Pecan recipe, here.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 8
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 large heads Romaine lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup of coarsely chopped Napa cabbage
  • 1 apple, Gala or Honeycrisp or pear, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 8-oz. tub of crumbled blue cheese
  • ½ cup walnut oil
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. minced shallots
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp. real maple syrup
  • Sweet and Spicy Pecans

Instructions
 

  • Combine lettuce, cabbage, apple, and blue cheese in a large bowl.
  • Whisk together walnut oil, vinegar; shallot, lemon juice, and maple syrup.
  • Pour over salad and toss to combine. Top with pecans and serve.

Notes

updated from November 2012
Cuisine: American
Course: Salad
Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

Beauchamp Orchard Salads

The 2 recipes are taken from Where Women Cook! Celebrate! book. Read more, here.