This Kale Apple Salad is so delicious, with a crunchy texture and flavorful dressing that can't be beat. You can enjoy this dish as a light meal or serve it on the side of your favorite entrees.
One of the things I love about this Kale Apple Salad is that it has so much texture and flavor, even though there aren't a lot of ingredients. From the crunchy kale to the juicy apple slices, the tender quinoa to the nutty-tasting hemp hearts, this is a salad that you'll want to enjoy year round. It's versatile and you can make substitutions to fit your tastes and those of your family so this salad works at any meal or get-together.
Kale can be a hard vegetable to work with, but I'll show you how to tenderize the leaves and make them as delicious as they are healthy. Tossed with a homemade dressing that really complements the veggies, nuts, and grains in this recipe, you are going to love adding this to your table. Let's talk about what you'll be using to make this amazing Kale Apple Salad.
Video Tutorial
What you'll need
- Kale. Curly or Lacinato kale would work here.
- Sea Salt. We'll massage the kale with a little bit of salt, to soften it.
- Apples. Use your favorite kind. I like using Gala apples.
- Quinoa. Regular or multicolored. I add a touch of turmeric when I cook quinoa, so that's why mine looks yellow.
- Toasted Walnuts. Do toast the walnuts, it makes a world of difference. Toasted almonds can be used instead.
- Hemp Hearts. Brings in extra nutrients and a nice nutty flavor. You can skip it though, if you don't have any.
- Dressing Ingredients. Olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.
How to make it
1. Remove the stalks from the kale and discard. Roll the kale up into a bunch and then slice the leaves.
2. Place the kale into a large mixing bowl, and then add the salt. Massage it with your hands for a few minutes. Set aside.
3. To make the dressing, shake the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small jar.
4. Add the sliced apples, cooked quinoa, toasted walnuts, and hemp hearts to the bowl with the prepared kale. Pour the dressing on top and mix everything well. Serve.
Tips for the best Kale Apple Salad
- Cut off the kale stalks. These pieces are not only a little bitter, but also very tough. They won't taste good in your salad so discard them before slicing the leaves.
- Massage the kale leaves. Kale is notoriously tough and fibrous, so massaging the leaves with salt will break them down a little so they are more tender and easier to digest.
- Use a homemade dressing. Whether it's this dressing I've detailed or another, homemade dressings are super easy and add more flavor to your salads. They also tend to be healthier.
- Cut the apples when you're ready to assemble the salad. Since apples will brown quickly after cutting, don't do this ahead of time. Cut them when you're ready to assemble and dress the salad.
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Substitute other nuts. If you haven't got any walnuts, then you can also use toasted almonds, pecans, or pine nuts. Just remember to toast them as this adds an extra layer of flavor.
- Use a different dressing. I like the way these flavors marry with the ingredients in the salad, but if you have a dressing that you just adore, then go ahead and use that.
- Substitute other fruits. Apples are great, but if you want to try another fruit, this salad is very versatile. Consider pears, blueberries, strawberries, or mangos here.
- Add other salad favorites. Try this Kale Apple Salad with cucumber, carrots, avocado, or radishes. Make sure to cut them in proportion with the other ingredients so they don't overpower.
- Add raisins or dried cranberries. These will add a nice pop of sweetness.
How to Store
To store it, place the Kale Apple Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While kale is very hearty, the apples will become mushy as they sit, so try to eat this salad the day you make it.
What to Serve with it
- Pasta. For a filling meal, serve this Kale Apple Salad alongside a hearty pasta dish, such as Creamy Lemon Spaghetti or Mushroom Bolognese Pasta.
- Sandwiches or Wraps. For an easy lunch, spoon this salad up with a Vegan No Tuna Salad sandwich or an Easy Hummus Wrap.
- Soup or Stew. Serve it with Mushroom Stew, Creamy Vegetable Soup, or Amazing Lentil Chili.
- Potatoes. This salad goes well with potatoes, too. Try these recipes for Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Baby Potatoes, and Perfect Baked Potatoes.
This Kale Apple Salad is crunchy, nutty, and full of protein and nutrients. It's both healthy and flavorful, and the perfect dish to serve with lunch or dinner.
More tasty vegan salads:
Kale Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 4 oz. kale
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- 1 medium semi-sweet apple, diced
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (heaping ¼ cup of uncooked)
- ½ cup toasted walnuts
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Remove the stalks from the kale and discard. Roll the kale up into a bunch and then slice the leaves.
- Place the kale into a large mixing bowl, and then add the salt. Massage it with your hands for a few minutes. Set aside.
- To make the dressing, shake the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small jar.
- Add the sliced apples, cooked quinoa, toasted walnuts, and hemp hearts to the bowl with the prepared kale. Pour the dressing on top and mix everything well. Serve.
Notes
Tips for the best Kale Apple Salad
- Cut off the kale stalks. These pieces are not only a little bitter, but also very tough. They won't taste good in your salad so discard them before slicing the leaves.
- Massage the kale leaves. Kale is notoriously tough and fibrous, so massaging the leaves with salt will break them down a little so they are more tender and easier to digest.
- Use a homemade dressing. Whether it's this dressing I've detailed or another, homemade dressings are super easy and add more flavor to your salads. They also tend to be healthier.
- Cut the apples when you're ready to assemble the salad. Since apples will brown quickly after cutting, don't do this ahead of time. Cut them when you're ready to assemble and dress the salad.
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