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If you are passionate about eating delicious food that leaves you feeling great, you are going to love this Kale Apple Salad. While it tips its hat to a traditional Waldorf Salad with the fruit and nut combo, the light and punchy dressing is a welcome change to the heavy creamy dressing you usually find. You will love the vibrant flavors here.
This Kale Apple Salad is the Perfect Way to Fuel Your Day!
First Published: January 1,2018...
I don't know about you, but after so much heavy food lately, I am so ready to get my veg back on. I'm committed to eating salad for at least one meal a day this month, and today I've got a fun Kale Apple Salad that is perfect for fall.
It tips its hat to a Kale Waldorf Salad, while remaining a bit unique.
There is no creamy dressing involved, and I've candied the pecans.
Don't let that stop you from trying this Kale Apple Salad! Packed with nutrition, this delicious salad features a delicious lime vinaigrette with a kick of ginger and sesame oil.
I've gone heavy on the greens here, because...we need 'em!
Feel free to reduce the amount if you aren't feeling it. Also, if bitter greens aren't your thing, romaine and/or spinach would sub in nicely for the endive and radicchio.
Tips & Tricks
- While completely optional, I recommend massaging the kale before adding it to do the salad. To do this, trim the kale and tear it into bite-sized pieces. Drizzle with oil. With clean hands, massage the kale until the leaves have softened and the volume has been reduced. The leaves will still be chewy, but the bitterness will be gone.
- You can store massaged kale in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- If you want to chop the apple prior to serving, I recommend coating it with lemon juice. This will help to reduce the amount of browning.
Variations for This Recipe:
- This salad is also amazing with my Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe.
- For a complete meal, add 16 ounces of diced cooked chicken, or 1 ½ cups garbanzo beans. (Or go wild and add both!)
- I love this salad with Quick Pickled Onions added.
- Cheese is always a good idea and I like feta cheese here. Or you can go with the traditional apple-cheddar combo.
If You Like this Kale and Apple Salad, You May Also Like:
- This Asian Quinoa Salad is packed with the Asian flavors you love and perfect for lunch.
- Looking for something special that is pretty enough for company?Pomegranate Quinoa Salad with Candied Almonds
- Citrus Quinoa Salad
- Grilled Chicken Halloumi Salad
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Kale and Apple Salad Recipe
This Kale Apple Salad is a healthy vegan salad recipe that the whole family will love. It is a fun twist on a classic Waldorf Salad, with candied walnuts and a lightened up dressing that will become a favorite. Finish it off with a little flaky salt if you like.
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Kale Apple Salad
This Kale Apple Salad is a healthy vegan salad recipe that the whole family will love. It is a fun twist on a classic, with candied walnuts and a lightened up dressing that will become a favorite.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American, Gluten Free, Healthy
Keyword: vegan
Servings: 6
Calories: 365kcal
Author: Wendy Polisi
Ingredients
Candied Walnuts
- ½ cup walnut halves
- 2 tablespoons coconut nectar or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Lime Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons Swerve or sweetener of choice
Salad
- 2 heads kale chopped fine and massaged (optional)
- 2 heads endive chopped
- 1 head radicchio. chopped
- 1 apple cored and diced
- 1 cup seedless red grapes sliced in half
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
Instructions
Make Walnuts
Place a skillet over medium high heat. Add walnuts, coconut nectar and sea salt. Cook, stirring constantly for about four minutes. Remove walnuts from pan and all to cool on parchment paper.
Dressing
Combine lime juice, rice wine vinegar, ginger, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, dark sesame oil and Swerve in a blender. Process until smooth.
Salad
In a large bowl, combine kale, endive, radicchio, apple, grapes, celery and tomatoes. Toss with dressing and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 1085mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 7920IU | Vitamin C: 74.9mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 2.8mg
Other Salad Recipes to Check Out:
- Waldorf Salad from Food Network (a classic recipe)
- Waldorf Salad from In a Pinch
- Cranberry Waldorf Salad from Spend with Pennies
Filed Under:
Gluten Free RecipesSalad RecipesVegan RecipesVegetarian Recipes
More Gluten Free Recipes
- Blackstone Ribeye
- Blueberry Compote with Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
- 10-Minute Air Fryer Asparagus
About Wendy Polisi
Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 18 & 19 and my late life princess is 10.
Reader Interactions
Comments
corinne & kirsty
I love kale! and this salad looks so appetizing! i am looking for new lunch box ideas! this is perfect!
Reply
Tammy
Oh my goodness. This looks so good and I have 3 kinds of kale growing in the garden right now. I will pin for later.Reply
tara pittman
This salad looks so good. I just love how healthy it is.
Reply
Khushboo
Now that is a delicious recipe for yummy lunch. I love your twist on the traditional waldorf salad.
Reply
Andrea
This looks absolutely delicious! I have been meal-prepping lots of salads for lunch, so I'll try this one next week. Thanks!
Reply
Adrianne Betz
That looks almost too good to eat! I would love to make this one.
Reply
Marissa Zurfluh
Wow, that is one delicious salad! My body loves the freshness.
Reply
Jasmine Eclipse
I'm not a fan of kale, but this salad looks AMAZING! I'm definitely going to try this recipe!
Reply
Karly
Lunch PERFECTION. Tons of flavor, low carb and actually filling. It's a winner in my book!
Reply
Cynthia Nicoletti
Looks really good I love Kale. I have to try the way you made it. Saving thanks for sharing.
Reply
Candy Rachelle
Wow!! I am looking for a new salad recipe to try. and this kale Waldorf salad recipe looks so delicious and nutritious as well. Will try this one.Reply
Ron Leyba
This salad looks delicious. I want it. Love it!
Reply
