Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
This easy Kale Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a fresh, light, and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for spring cookouts. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the kale crispy is to massage it with olive oil and salt. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad Ready in 10 Minutes and Crispy Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes Recipe.
Why This Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy kale and sweet apples in every bite
- Tangy lemon tahini dressing that's creamy and light
- Easy to make and perfect for meal prepping
- A refreshing side dish that pairs well with grilled meats
What You'll Need for Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 large bunch kale
- 2 apples
- 1/2 cup roasted almonds
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Pomegranate seeds
- Optional: Cucumber
- Optional: Red onion
📝 Ingredient Notes
- kale: Remove the tough stems and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- apples: Choose a sweet variety like Gala or Fuji. You can leave the peel on or remove it.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Tahini — Gives the dressing a rich, creamy texture. Plus, it's packed with protein and healthy fats. → See on Amazon
- Lemon juicer — Makes it easy to juice lemons quickly and efficiently. No more sore hands from squeezing! → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Prepare the kale: Remove the tough stems and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Place the kale in a large bowl and massage it with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt for 2-3 minutes until the kale is softened and slightly darker in color.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add water, 1 tbsp at a time, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble the salad: Add the apples, almonds, and feta cheese to the bowl with the kale. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. The kale will wilt and become soggy. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more to taste.
- Pro tip: To make this salad ahead of time, prepare the kale and dressing separately and store them in the refrigerator. Combine just before serving to keep the kale crispy.
- Pro tip: For a nut-free version, substitute the almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Pro tip: To make this salad more filling, add a protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas.
Storing & Reheating Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The kale and dressing can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Freezing Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make the dressing creamy and smooth, make sure to whisk it vigorously or use an immersion blender to combine the ingredients.
- Best substitution: If you don't have tahini, you can substitute it with almond butter or cashew butter. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities of the ingredients to fit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add more water, 1 tbsp at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it's too thin, add more tahini or let it sit in the refrigerator for a few minutes to thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad spinner — Gets rid of excess water from the kale, ensuring a crispy salad every time. It's a game-changer for leafy greens! → Check price on Amazon
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large bunch kale
- 2 apples
- 1/2 cup roasted almonds
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Pomegranate seeds
- Cucumber
- Red onion
Instructions
- Prepare the kale: Remove the tough stems and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Place the kale in a large bowl and massage it with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt for 2-3 minutes until the kale is softened and slightly darker in color.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add water, 1 tbsp at a time, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble the salad: Add the apples, almonds, and feta cheese to the bowl with the kale. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: To make the dressing creamy and smooth, make sure to whisk it vigorously or use an immersion blender to combine the ingredients.
- Best substitution: If you don't have tahini, you can substitute it with almond butter or cashew butter. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities of the ingredients to fit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add more water, 1 tbsp at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it's too thin, add more tahini or let it sit in the refrigerator for a few minutes to thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: The kale and dressing can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 27g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 2.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the kale and dressing separately and store them in the refrigerator. Combine just before serving to keep the kale crispy.
You may have over-dressed the salad. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more to taste. Also, make sure to massage the kale with olive oil and salt to soften it before adding the dressing.
No, the air fryer is not necessary for this recipe. The kale is softened by massaging it with olive oil and salt, and the apples and almonds are added raw.
If you don't have tahini, you can substitute it with almond butter or cashew butter. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to check the labels on any packaged ingredients you use, such as tahini and almonds, to ensure they are produced in a gluten-free facility.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
