Quick Kale and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Get ready to elevate your salad game with a delightful combination of vibrant kale, crisp apples, cheddar cheese and a zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette. This quick and easy Kale and Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a celebration of wholesome goodness. Perfect for those busy days when you crave a healthy and satisfying meal without sacrificing on flavor.
Incorporate this Quick and Easy Kale and Apple Salad into your weekly menu for a nutritious and tasty experience. With its simple preparation and wholesome ingredients, it’s a surefire way to keep your lunchtime exciting and your taste buds satisfied.
What is a Kale and Apple Salad?
A Kale and Apple Salad is a refreshing medley of nutrient-packed kale leaves, sweet Gala apples, savory bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy pepitas. This salad is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will tantalize your palate.
What Makes this Kale and Apple Salad Healthy?
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this salad is a nutritional powerhouse. Kale, a superfood, provides essential nutrients like vitamin K and C, while apples add natural sweetness and fiber. The addition of bacon and cheddar cheese provides a savory element, making it a balanced and satisfying dish.
Why You’ll Love This Kale and Apple Salad
Embrace the simplicity of this recipe and indulge in a guilt-free pleasure. The crispness of apples, the hearty texture of kale, and the savory notes from bacon and cheese create a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving for more. It’s a perfect blend of health and taste in every bite.
RELATED: Vegan Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing – Roasted sweet potatoes bring a touch of sweetness to a nutrient-packed mix of quinoa, black beans, and chopped baby kale. Topped with a creamy avocado dressing, crunchy pepitas, and sliced scallion, this vibrant bowl is a celebration of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for more.
Ingredients you’ll need
For the Kale and Apple salad
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 1 Gala apple, cored and cubed
- ¼ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ¼ cup diced sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons pepitas
For the Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Salad making essentials
ALLIGATOR CHOPPER
Cheese grater
SALAD SPINNER
LEMON SQUEEZER
ELEGANT SALAD BOWL
MASON JARS
How to make a simple Apple and Kale salad
This quick and easy lunch salad comes together in 3 little steps:
- In a large bowl, toss together the ingredients for the salad.
- In a small jar or bowl, shake or whisk together the ingredients for the dressing.
- Prior to serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss.
Make this Kale and Apple Salad, then check out my Blueberry, Apple, Cranberry and Kale Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette and more of my healthy salad dressing recipes.
TIPS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Read on for tips and substitution ideas on how to make this recipe, such as how to customize this salad, and how to store this salad.
What is the best kale for salad?
I like to use Tuscan kale. It is It has a deeper color and is slightly thinner and more tender than curly kale, but curly kale will work too.
How do I soften kale for a salad?
Massage the kale leaves with a small amount of olive oil until they become tender.
Can I make Kale Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare all the ingredients and store them separately. Mix everything together with the dressing just before serving for optimal freshness.
Is it possible to make the dressing in advance?
Yes, the dressing can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Give it a good shake or stir before pouring it over the salad.
Can I customize the ingredients?
Certainly! Feel free to add your favorite toppings or swap ingredients to suit your taste. Nuts, dried fruits, or even grilled chicken make excellent additions.
Is Kale Salad suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Remove the bacon, and this salad becomes vegetarian-friendly. You’ll still enjoy a burst of flavors without the meat.
How do you store leftover Kale Salad?
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 1-2 days to maintain the crispness of the kale and freshness of the ingredients.
Add this quick and easy Kale and Apple Salad into your weekly menu for a nutritious and tasty lunch salad experience!
🍂 CELEBRATE Fall with
12+ Easy Fall Salad Recipes
From vibrant harvest quinoa creations to soul-soothing butternut squash medleys, delve into these tasty fall salads that capture the very essence of fall.
Other HEALTHY KALE recipes to try
- How to Make Baked Kale Chips – a great alternative to store-bought chips but with a fraction of the fat and calories and none of the preservatives and artificial flavours. Making kale chips in the oven is an easy way to enjoy a healthy plant-based snack that’s full of nutrition.
- Vegan Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing – Roasted sweet potatoes bring a touch of sweetness to a nutrient-packed mix of quinoa, black beans, and chopped baby kale. Topped with a creamy avocado dressing, crunchy pepitas, and sliced scallion, this vibrant bowl is a celebration of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for more.
- Blueberry, Apple, Cranberry and Kale Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette – This healthy sensation features nutrient-packed kale, sweet apples, and antioxidant-rich blueberries, all dancing harmoniously with crispy bacon and a luscious goat cheese twist.
Quick and Easy Kale and Apple Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Kale and Apple Salad:
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 1 Gala apple, cored and cubed
- ¼ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ¼ cup diced sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons pepitas
For the apple cider vinaigrette:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chopped kale, cubed Gala apples, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and pepitas.
- In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well coated.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1 saladAmount Per Serving: Calories: 338Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 566mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 3gSugar: 10gProtein: 11g
The provided nutrition information is an estimate and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information.
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