Shredded Kale Apple Salad
This is my favorite easy kale salad! It’s brimming with freshness and has a vibrant, sweet and tangy vinaigrette dressing that perfectly highlights it. And can we appreciate the fact that it doesn’t wilt within minutes of adding the dressing like other salads may start to? Which makes it a great option for a dinner party or cookout. It compliments so many meals and uses ingredients that you can easily get year round. For a quick and simple dinner or lunch you can serve it as a side paired with a basic protein such as grilled chicken or salmon. It’s a healthy salad recipe you’ll want to make on repeat. A delicious kale crunch salad with the best blend of flavors!
Kale Salad Recipe Ingredients
Olive oil: Regular or extra-virgin olive oil will work depending on how strong of a flavor you’d like. Lemon juice: In a pinch lime juice will work too. Be sure to use fresh. Apple cider vinegar: White wine or red wine vinegar can be used instead. Maple syrup: Don’t use pancake syrup. Honey is another great option. Dijon mustard: If you’re out regular yellow mustard will be ok since it’s a small amount. Salt and pepper: Season dressing with a fair amount. Kale: I make this with curly kale but Tuscan kale will be tasty too. Apple: Pears are another great option. Carrots: No great subs here, just omit if you are out. Slivered almonds: Substitute with walnuts or pecans. Sharp white cheddar: Other options are yellow cheddar, gouda, provolone, Colby or Swiss or feta. Red onion: Green onions will work as well.
How to Make Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing
Helpful Tips for the Best Kale Salad
Use freshest, good quality ingredients. Chill dressing for a little while for a colder more refreshing salad. Also chill other ingredients like the apple and red onion. Rinse kale to remove dirt and even bugs, then be sure to spin dry in a salad spinner so dressing clings well to leaves. Slice ingredients thinly to tone down crunch slightly and for more uniformity. Serve salad within a few hours of preparing so it doesn’t get soggy and so apples don’t brown.
Variations
I think you’ll love this salad perfectly as it is but you can also try:
Adding diced avocado Dried cranberries Chick peas Fresh pomegranate arils Cooked quinoa or farro For a more tender salad (with less crunch) you can massage the kale leaves in palms of your hands for about a minute before adding to salad. To make it vegan replace cheddar with a vegan cheese.
More Delicious Salad Recipes to Try
Avocado Salad Broccoli Salad Pear Spinach Salad Quinoa Salad Tomato Salad
