Kale Apple Salad with Cider Dressing

kale apple walnut salad in large white bowl with wooden serving tongs

Kale Apple Salad with Cider Dressing

This Kale Apple Salad is everything you'd want in a crisp and cozy fall salad recipe. Fresh apples, buttery walnuts, and tender kale drenched in a tangy apple cider dressing. Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free option.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan

Keyword kale apple salad, vegan apple salad, vegan kale salad, vegan salad recipes

Method No-Bake

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings people

Calories 297kcal

Author Caitlin Shoemaker

Ingredients

For the Cider Dressing:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons grade A maple syrup
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove grated (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Salad:

1 bunch kale de-stemmed and chopped
1/2 bunch parsley chopped
1 honeycrisp apple diced or thinly sliced (or other apple of choice)
1/2 cup walnuts chopped
Black pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the Dressing: Add the oil, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, and salt to a small mason jar. Seal the jar well and shake vigorously until emulsified, about 20 to 30 seconds.
Massage: Add the chopped kale to a large bowl and pour 3/4 of the dressing over it. Use clean hands to massage the dressing into the kale for 45 to 60 seconds, until the kale is tender and has reduced in volume.
Mix: Add the parsley, apple, and walnuts to the bowl with the kale and top with the remaining dressing, plus black pepper to taste. Use salad tongs or two large spoons to mix everything together well.
Serve as desired; leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

Oil-Free: Make this Tahini Dressing instead, using cider vinegar instead of lemon juice!
Nut Substitutions: this recipe would also be delicious with pecans instead of walnuts, or with pumpkin seeds for a nut-free option!

Nutrition