I’m in love. The dressing alone on this simple Kale Salad is sufficient to make me swoon. It’s only a quite simple Dijon French dressing, nevertheless it tastes so good with the earthy kale, crunchy walnuts, crisp apple, and juicy raisins. This salad is contemporary, tangy, candy, genuinely EASY, and makes some very budget-friendly components style simply downright scrumptious. And since kale is so sturdy, it stands up effectively to being pre-dressed with the French dressing, making this salad nice for weekly meal prep!
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“That is so good! I’m not often a giant fan of uncooked kale, however the dressing made it top-of-the-line salads I’ve had, kale or not. And thanks for the tip on chopping up kale; I’m not very skilled with meals prep, and people sorts of particulars have made the recipes in your website a lot simpler for me!”
Elise
Recent, Crunchy, and Good for Meal Prep
For the longest time, kale and I had a barely difficult relationship. Not as a result of I didn’t prefer it, as a result of I do! However I principally saved it for cooked dishes, and I by no means appeared to complete the entire bunch earlier than it began trying somewhat worse for put on at the back of my fridge. Each time I ate it uncooked, the leaves felt somewhat too agency and bitter except I let it sit with the dressing on for a bit. However typically I needed to dig into my kale salad instantly!
The issue wasn’t the kale. I had been skipping the step that makes uncooked kale a lot extra satisfying. I used to suppose massaging kale was an pointless additional step, however then I attempted it, and now I perceive why folks do it. It solely takes a couple of minutes, nevertheless it actually does assist soften the sturdy leaves and mellow their bitter edge. It additionally makes it simpler for them to absorb that scrumptious Dijon dressing. Add in a tart however juicy Granny Smith apple, some crunchy walnuts, and a handful of candy raisins, and this simple kale salad fully modified the way in which I felt about consuming kale uncooked. Belief me on this one.
- Take away the thick stems and chop the kale into small items. The thick, woody stems keep powerful even after the kale is massaged and dressed. I prefer to strip these away earlier than chopping the leaves into small bite-sized items. Nevertheless, don’t throw the stems away! They’re scrumptious added to a veggie stir fry later.
- Use pre-chopped kale to save lots of time. Pre-chopped bagged kale is fairly simple to search out lately and pretty cheap (because it doesn’t wilt rapidly), so I‘m fairly comfortable to pay for this comfort when the worth is correct!
- Dry the kale effectively! After washing the kale, I all the time be certain that it’s as dry as attainable earlier than including the dressing. Further water can dilute the French dressing and maintain it from clinging to the leaves. I often run my kale by means of a salad spinner. In the event you don’t have a salad spinner, unfold the kale out on a clear kitchen towel or some paper towels and pat it dry.
- Add the dressing somewhat at a time. I begin by tossing the kale with about half of the Dijon French dressing, then add extra till it’s dressed the way in which I prefer it (I often find yourself including all of it). For the reason that dressing is pretty apple cider vinegar-forward, some readers choose a lighter coating. You may stir in 1 teaspoon of honey into the dressing for rather less tang, if you happen to like!
Yep, therapeutic massage these greens and style the distinction! Kale leaves are naturally sturdy and fibrous, so giving them a fast therapeutic massage helps soften their texture earlier than you eat them uncooked. You’ll be capable of SEE and really feel the kale change proper within the bowl.
So why must you therapeutic massage kale, anyway?
- It softens the leaves. Gently squeezing and rubbing the kale helps break down a few of its powerful and fibrous construction. This makes it really feel tender as an alternative of chewy in your mouth.
- It mellows the flavour. I’m positive we will all agree that kale can style fairly bitter. Massaging the leaves helps break down the compounds that give it these qualities. In the event you therapeutic massage it with an acid (like apple cider vinegar, which I take advantage of on this recipe) and/or salt, it truly chemically alters the greens and mellows out the flavour!
- It really works within the dressing. Since you’re working the oil, vinegar, and seasonings into the kale, it coats the leaves extra evenly as an alternative of sliding off and accumulating on the backside of the bowl.
The best way to therapeutic massage kale:
- Take away the stems: Strip away the thick, woody stems (some thinner stems are okay), then chop or tear the leaves into bite-sized items.
- Add a few of the dressing: Drizzle the kale with half the Dijon French dressing.
- Get your fingers in there: Utilizing clear fingers, seize and gently squeeze handfuls of kale, working your method across the bowl so all of the leaves get some consideration. I prefer to rub just a few of the firmer items calmly between my fingers, too. There will probably be a noticeable distinction from whenever you begin to whenever you’re completed!
- Look ahead to the change: After 1-3 minutes, the kale ought to look darker and glossier, shrink to about half its unique measurement, and really feel noticeably softer.
Simple Kale Salad
Value $5.90 recipe / $1.48 serving
This simple Kale Salad is tangy, candy, and crunchy with Granny Smith apples, walnuts, raisins, and a do-it-yourself Dijon French dressing.
For the Dijon French dressing
Collect your components.
Take away and discard the thick stems from the kale. Chop or tear the leaves into smaller items. Rinse the kale effectively underneath cool working water, then dry it completely in a salad spinner or with a clear kitchen towel.
Chop the Granny Smith apple into bite-sized items. For additional safety in opposition to browning, place the apple in a small bowl, squeeze the lemon juice over it, and toss to coat. This step is elective, however really helpful for meal prepping.
Add the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and freshly cracked pepper to a bowl. Whisk till mixed. Slowly stream within the olive oil, whisking consistently, till the French dressing is easy and emulsified. Alternatively, mix all of the dressing components collectively till easy. Style and modify the salt and pepper as wanted.
Add the kale to a big bowl and pour half of the Dijon French dressing over prime. Utilizing clear fingers, gently therapeutic massage the dressing into the kale for 1-3 minutes, or till the leaves look darker and glossier and really feel noticeably softer.
Add the walnuts, ready apple, and raisins to the kale, then toss till evenly mixed.
Style the salad and add extra French dressing as desired (I used the entire batch). Serve instantly or refrigerate till able to eat.
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**The lemon juice is elective, nevertheless it retains the apples brilliant and prevents them from browning. It additionally helps maintain the kale brilliant inexperienced and assists with the general contemporary taste of the dressing. You may discard the leftover lemon juice after you’ve tossed the diced apples, or simply add it to the bowl if you happen to like somewhat extra tang in your salad dressing! (I do.)
Storage: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. I don’t suggest freezing this salad as a result of the apples lose their texture after thawing, and the dressing and kale grow to be watery and limp.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 335kcal (17%)Carbohydrates: 19g (6%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fats: 29g (45%)Sodium: 242mg (11%)Fiber: 5g (21%)
The best way to Make Kale Salad Step-by-Step Images
Collect your whole components.
Prep and wash the kale: Take away and discard the thick, woody stems from ½ lb. kale. Just a few of the thinner stems are high quality to depart behind. I simply run my fingers down the stem and pull the leaves as I am going, as proven right here.
Now tear the kale into smaller items. I like utilizing smaller items of kale in contemporary salads as a result of it makes the kale simpler to chew and eat. If I’m cooking kale, I typically go away it in bigger items. Place the chopped kale in a colander and rinse effectively underneath cool working water.
Dry the kale: Earlier than you construct the salad, be certain that the kale is as dry as attainable. Give it a spin in a salad spinner till there’s little or no water accumulating within the backside. No salad spinner? Shake off as a lot water as you’ll be able to, unfold the kale over a clear kitchen towel or paper towels, and gently pat it dry. The drier the leaves are, the higher that AH-MAZING dressing will cling!
Prep the apple: Core and chop 1 medium Granny Smith apple into small, bite-sized items and halve the lemon (if utilizing).
For additional insurance coverage in opposition to browning, place the apple in a small bowl and squeeze the juice from 1 lemon over prime. Toss till all of the items are calmly coated. This step is elective, nevertheless it’s particularly useful if you happen to’re meal prepping the salad.
Make the dressing: Now it’s time to make the dressing. Add ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 finely minced garlic clove, 1½ Tbsp Dijon mustard, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper to a small bowl. Whisk till the mustard is absolutely combined in and no streaks stay.
Slowly stream ⅓ cup olive oil into the vinegar combination, whisking consistently. The French dressing ought to grow to be barely thicker and look easy slightly than separated. You may as well add all of the dressing components to a blender and mix till the garlic is minced and the dressing is easy.
Style the dressing and modify the salt or pepper if you happen to’d like. In the event you discover the dressing too tangy, whisk in about 1 tsp honey or some sugar to tone it down. However I counsel holding it fairly tangy as a result of that brilliant taste works so effectively with the candy raisins and apple.
Therapeutic massage the kale: Place the dry kale in a big bowl and pour about half of the Dijon French dressing over prime.
Get your fingers in there and gently seize, squeeze, and rub handfuls of kale, shifting across the bowl so each leaf will get some consideration. Proceed massaging for 1-3 minutes. You’ll realize it’s prepared when the leaves look darker and glossier, have diminished barely in quantity, and really feel noticeably softer between your fingers. Cease as soon as the kale is tender however nonetheless has some texture. You don’t need to therapeutic massage it into mush!
Assemble the salad: Now add ½ cup walnuts, the ready apple, and ¼ cup raisins to the massaged kale.
Toss effectively till all the things is evenly distributed and calmly coated within the French dressing.
Style and serve: Style the salad, then add extra dressing as wanted. I often find yourself including ALL OF IT, however you’ll be able to cease when it tastes proper to you. Give the salad one remaining toss, ensuring there’s no dressing hiding on the backside of the bowl, then serve!
Variations to Strive
This simple kale salad is straightforward to customise. Swap out what you don’t like or modify the flavors to fit your tastes. Listed below are just a few of my favourite variations, together with some scrumptious concepts readers have shared:
- Pears: Swap the Granny Smith apple for a ripe however agency pear for a softer texture and somewhat extra sweetness.
- Dried cranberries: Substitute the raisins with dried cranberries for a barely tarter taste.
- Completely different nuts: Use pecans, slivered almonds, or candied walnuts as an alternative of plain walnuts. Pecans add a softer, buttery crunch, and almonds are somewhat firmer. Candied walnuts make the salad sweeter and I believe they’d be particularly good for fall or vacation meals!
- Shredded carrots: Swap the raisins for shredded carrots if you happen to hate raisins, however nonetheless need some added sweetness.
- Cheese: Add shredded cheddar, crumbled feta, or shaved Parmesan for extra richness and savory taste.
- Honey: Stir about 1 teaspoon of honey into the Dijon French dressing to melt the apple cider vinegar tang with out making the dressing overly candy.
Serving Solutions
When you’ve tossed all the things collectively, you’re able to dig into this simple kale salad! I’d fortunately eat it by itself for lunch, nevertheless it’s additionally actually good with baked tofu cubes or sliced grilled rooster. The truth is, grilled rooster is my best choice after I’m meal prepping this salad (see under!) Ooh, I additionally suppose our creamy pork chops could be so good right here as a result of apples and pork simply belong collectively. That pairing would make an awesomely scrumptious dinner for a weeknight and even an important day. For one more simple lunch choice, pair it with an air fryer grilled cheese for somewhat crispy, melty goodness on the aspect.
This contemporary kale salad is considered one of my favourite salads to meal prep as a result of kale holds up so effectively after it’s dressed. For somewhat additional insurance coverage in opposition to browning, toss the chopped apples with a squeeze of lemon juice earlier than including them to the salad. Then divide the absolutely dressed salad into particular person containers and refrigerate. It retains effectively for as much as 3-4 days! Add your favourite protein, like rooster, tofu, or drained and rinsed chickpeas, to make every portion a extra filling grab-and-go lunch.
Storage Directions
Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. There’s no have to maintain the dressing separate, because the kale holds up effectively as soon as dressed. Simply observe the leaves will proceed to melt and the apples could lose somewhat crispness over time. The olive oil within the French dressing may also agency up within the fridge. I all the time let this salad sit at room temperature for a couple of minutes, then give it a very good toss earlier than serving once more.
Strive These Kale Salads Subsequent:
- I’d make this Kale and Candy Potato Salad for fall lunches as a result of it retains effectively within the fridge for about 4 days!
- This Crunchy Kale Hen Salad is one other solution to flip sturdy kale right into a filling meal-prep lunch with rooster, almonds, raisins, and creamy honey Dijon dressing.
- Strive my Kale Pasta Salad for a satisfying mixture of tender kale, pasta, chickpeas, juicy tomatoes, Parmesan, and creamy balsamic dressing.
Our Simple Kale Salad recipe was initially revealed 6/23/12. It was retested, reworked, and republished to be higher than ever 7/25/26.
