Kale Apple Salad is not only delectable, it's a picture of feel-good food: a mixture of tender, emerald kale, crunchy, buttery hazelnuts, and crisp apples, tossed in a homemade dressing of sweet apricot preserves, piquant Dijon mustard, tangy apple cider vinegar and peppery extra virgin olive oil. It's delicious and complex, tart and sweet, robust and subtle.
Made in just 10 minutes with ribbons of raw kale, this refreshing salad is easy to make and can be served as a side dish, but is hearty enough for a light main course.
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Ingredients You Need to Make Kale Apple Salad
For the dressing:
- Apricot Preserves: or other tangy-sweet fruit preserves, peach or cherry preserves
- Dijon Mustard: creamy or whole grain Dijon mustard
- Apple Cider Vinegar: or white wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- Olive Oil: good quality, extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
For the Salad
- Fresh Kale: I've called for Italian kale (also called Lacinato kale), but torn curly kale would also be delicious
- Fine Salt: or about double the amount of kosher salt
- Apple: any variety you like
- Toasted Hazelnuts: almonds, pistachios, walnuts or pumpkin seeds are other good options
- Pecorino Romano: or Parmesan cheese
Why massage raw kale for a kale salad?
Raw kale can be tough and difficult to chew, but a quick salt massage not only tenderizes the kale leaves, it adds flavor and brightens the color. It's a 2 minute step in this kale salad recipe that's well worth the effort.
Recipe Options
Consider this one of those kale salads that's endlessly adaptable to seasonal produce and what you have on hand. Use any variety of kale you like (discarding or repurposing the tough stems) and feel free to swap in other fruits like pears, plums, cherries or whatever is in season.
The same goes for the cheese and nuts, get creative with different combinations. Feel free to adjust the dressing too - sometimes I like to add a splash of honey or maple syrup.
More Must-Try Salads
- Caesar Salad with the BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!
- Wedge Salad
- Arugula Salad or Arugula Apple Salad
- Easy Crab Salad
Kale Apple Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Salad
- 1 bunch Italian Kale sliced crosswise into very thin ribbons (~¼-inch)
- fine salt
- 1 apple cored and thinly sliced (I used an Opal apple, but any crispy sweet-tart apple will do)
- ¼ cup toasted hazelnuts coarsely chopped
- 1 ounce Pecorino Romano thinly shaved
Instructions
- To make the vinaigrette: whisk together preserves, mustard and vinegar in a small bowl. Add olive oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- For the salad: place kale ribbons into a serving bowl; sprinkle lightly with salt and massage until kale is bright green and tender, about 1 minute. Pour vinaigrette over and toss to evenly coat kale. Serve sprinkled with Pecorino Romano shavings and chopped hazelnuts.
Believe it or not, kale is one of those ingredients that I'm still trying to get on board with. I know it's trendy and all, but I've yet to be "wow'd" by a recipe with kale. With that said, this salad looks fantastic, and the flavors you used are perfect with the apples and Dijon. I definitely want to make this for a summer side salad!
I hope this one will make you a convert, David! 😉
Beautiful. And I absolutely love what you put together for the dressing.
Thank you, Mimi!
I'm so glad to hear you made home safe Marissa! Paris is one of my favorite cities and I was so sad to see what happened there. But I agree with you, i believe the people there will move on. I love the photos you've been sharing during the trip. It triggered so many of my good old memories 🙂
This is a simple and beautiful salad! I like the idea of adding apricot preserves into the salad dressing. Awesome flavor!
Such a senseless tragedy. I'm so glad you weren't there and yes, please do hold on to all of your wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing such a lovely salad 🙂
Thank you, Sonali. Such a sweet comment - I so appreciate it!
what a truly beautiful idea for a salad, Marissa. I love the sound of that dressing in particular. there's so much inspiration for simple but delicious food over there in that beautiful city.
It is such a beautiful and inspiring city! Thank you so much, Helen. xo
Marissa, you've brought tears to my eyes! What a beautiful, beautiful post. You've written everything I wish I could've written into a post but just weren't able to. You've described Parisians perfectly - they are definitely a resilient bunch. I'm so glad you've kept such happy memories of Paris and haven't let this attack tarnish your good times there. This salad is lovely and so perfectly representative of the French. Love you and your blog, Marissa <3
Love you too, Beeta! Thank you for such a sweet comment...xoxo
Awww Marissa what a beautiful and heartwarming post. You transported me to Paris honey. Beautifully written and this recipe just screams comforting greens to me 🙂 Have a great weekend doll.
Thank you so much, Mila. xo
What a wonderful and touching post Marissa. Makes me even more grateful for the things in my life I am blessed with. That man's quote was beyond something I could do and hope to aspire to be! I actually read it aloud to everyone here in Beavercreek as we sipped coffee in front of the fire this morning.
Thanks for that and this lovely recipe as I am going to use this salad dressing for sure when I get home! Hope you two are snuggled up and warm in Bend with the snow! xoxo
I don't think I could do it either, Kevin. Even though I agree with what he said...such strength...
Yes, we're back in Bend! We were in Cali for Thanksgiving - nice to come home to snow. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xoxo
I am glad you're safe! The salad looks delicious btw.
Thank you!
Such a heartfelt and lovely post Marissa. Thanks for sharing such beautiful observances of an always beautiful city and thanks for sharing this salad - a perfect healthy side to the holiday table!
Thank you, Shashi... xoxo
Beautifully said Marissa. I will never understand how anyone can have such blind hatred for so many people but I understand the loving words and actions more. Antoine Leiris and the father and son were two examples of when beauty and love wins over brutality.
Beautifully said, Lorraine. I love that father and son too, so beautiful. xo
Hi Marissa! You have such wonderful memories of Paris and I thank you for sharing them! This salad would be good with a pan seared duck breast! 🙂
Hi Dorothy! Yes, that would make a perfect meal. xo
Such a beautiful, poignant post, my friend. I am so thankful that you weren't there at the time of the attacks, but my heart goes out to all who were. I have similar memories of my time spent in Paris, so your words really resonate with me. And this salad looks nothing short of magnificent! xoxo
Thanks so much, sweet friend! xo
I'm so happy that you got safe home Marissa! I'm now scared of travelling to Europe, so sad! Love this salad, great flavors! Pinned!
Thank you, Mira.
Lovely words and so glad you're safe! This salad looks amazing- I love kale and apples 🙂
Thanks, Medha...
A beautiful post and so happy you got home safe and sound,
Thank you, Ann.