In search of one of the best kale salad recipe? Do this crowd-pleasing model with recent kale, candy apples, crunchy nuts, and feta cheese.
Throughout a current ladies’ journey to Sedona, we had a implausible kale salad that we couldn’t cease desirous about. Though the chef wouldn’t share his recipe, I created my very own model utilizing recent kale from the backyard. After a couple of rounds of testing, this model hits the identical sweet-crunchy steadiness we cherished in Sedona.
For those who’re harvesting kale from the backyard, you’ll additionally love my kale rising information, with tips about varieties, planting, and methods to hold kale producing all season.
The Finest Kale Salad
The key to this salad is dicing all the things small. This ensures you might have a little bit of all the things in every chew. It’s a easy massaged kale salad with apples and feta that holds up fantastically for meal prep.
Substances:
Serves 8 to 10 (as a facet)
4 bunches kale (about 12 to 16 cups chopped, stems eliminated, loosely packed)
2 massive Honeycrisp apples, diced small (toss with lemon juice to protect colour)
1/2 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cup nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds), toasted and chopped into small items
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Candy Apple Dressing
Substances
1 Honeycrisp or different candy apple, cored and coarsely chopped. Honeycrisp is my favourite right here, however Pink Girl or Fuji additionally work properly.
1/4 purple onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons apple juice
3/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
DirectionsBlend all the things besides the oil, then stream within the oil and pulse simply to emulsify. Retailer in an hermetic jar within the fridge and use inside 3 to five days. Shake properly earlier than utilizing.
Instructions for Making the Finest Kale Salad
Soak the kale leaves to take away backyard grit or tiny hitchhikers. Drain and dry properly, then chop into bite-sized items.
Add the kale to a big bowl and toss with dressing. Begin with 1/2 cup dressing and add extra to style.
Use your fingers to softly rub the dressing into the leaves. Therapeutic massage for 1 to 2 minutes, till the leaves are darker, softer, and decreased in quantity.
Toast nuts in a dry skillet over medium warmth for 3 to five minutes, stirring usually.
Add apples, onion, nuts, cranberries, and feta to the bowl.
Toss till components are well-mixed and coated. Style and add a pinch of salt or an additional squeeze of lemon if wanted.
Serve a heaping portion as a standalone meal, or pair it together with your favourite protein for a extra filling meal.
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container to maintain recent for as much as 4 days.
Storing and Serving The Finest Kale Salad
Not like different salads that peak on day one, this kale salad improves because the flavors mingle. Saved in an hermetic container within the fridge, it’ll preserve its style and texture for as much as 4 days.
Tip: For the crunchiest apples, add them proper earlier than serving. For those who’re making the salad forward of time, toss the diced apples with lemon juice and add them simply earlier than serving.
Sunday meal prep simply acquired simpler with this make-ahead kale salad, which is ideal for subsequent week’s meal plan.
Make it Your Personal
The great thing about this salad lies in its adaptability. You’ll be able to swap out components to make use of what you might have readily available or change up the flavour profile. It doesn’t matter what you utilize, protecting the items small ensures you might have a little bit of all the things in every chew.
Greens: Mix kale with different greens like Swiss chard or spinach.
Fruit: Strive pears, peaches, or dried apricots as an alternative of apples.
Cheese: Swap out feta with goat cheese or sharp cheddar.
Nuts: Use your favourite nuts, from pistachios to hazelnuts.
Dressing: Experiment with balsamic French dressing or attempt a creamy poppyseed dressing.
Irrespective of the way you make it, your potluck bowl will come house empty.
For those who’re constructing a potluck menu, these Blue Cheese Thyme Scalloped Potatoes pair properly with this kale salad, and my Make Forward Sausage and Herb Stuffing is one other favourite.
Raid your kitchen, farmer’s market, and even your neighbor’s backyard (properly, perhaps not that final one) and whip up a bowl of this scrumptious kale salad.
For those who loved this recipe for The Finest Kale Salad, please share it.
FAQ
Sure. This salad is a superb make-ahead possibility as a result of kale holds its texture properly, and the flavors enhance because it sits. For one of the best texture, add the apples proper earlier than serving.
Saved in an hermetic container, it retains properly for as much as 4 days.
Sure. Both kind works properly. Curly kale is a bit more textured, and lacinato (dinosaur kale) is a little more tender. Use no matter you might have.
Goat cheese, sharp cheddar, and even shaved Parmesan are nice swaps.
Cube the apples and toss with lemon juice. For the crunchiest texture, add them proper earlier than serving.
