Looking for a nutritious and refreshing salad recipe? The Kale Waldorf Salad brings you the balance of flavors and nutrients. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or need a quick, nutritious meal, this recipe is a winner. It's full of crunch, sweetness, and a tangy dressing; the kale salad recipe perfectly combines flavors and textures.
The Waldorf Salad is a timeless classic created in the late 19th century at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It's actually made with apples, celery, and mayonnaise, it’s many versions over the years. This modern version swaps out the lettuce for nutrient-rich kale and features a lighter dressing, making it a healthier choice without compromising taste.
Checkout my other recipe made with Kale: Kale Chips Recipe
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Ingredients
- Fresh Kale: A nutrient-packed leafy green that provides a sturdy base and earthy flavor.
- Crisp Apple (your choice!): Adds a refreshing sweetness and crunch; varieties like Granny Smith or Fuji work well.
- Crunchy Walnuts: Toasted walnuts add a nutty depth and delightful crunch to the salad.
- Creamy Greek Yogurt: A lighter, tangy alternative to mayonnaise that ties the ingredients together.
- Lemon Juice: Provides a bright, zesty kick to enhance the overall flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions For Kale Salad Recipe
- Step 1: add apple, celery, sweet grapes, walnuts
- combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a blender
- Step 3: pour dressing over the salad
- Step 4: salad is ready to eat
Watch video of the recipe here: Kale Salad
Reasons to Love Kale Salad Recipe
Nutritional Powerhouse: Kale is full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, making this salad a guilt-free indulgence.
Meal Prep-Friendly: This salad holds up well in the fridge, making it an excellent choice for make-ahead meals.
Perfect Combination: The combination of kale, apples, celery, and walnuts delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Customizable: You can easily create your own version according to your dietary preferences or the ingredients available.
Crowd-Pleaser: A great addition to any potluck or holiday spread.
Hint:
- For the best results, use fresh, crisp ingredients.
- Double the dressing recipe if you prefer a creamier salad.
- Keep the dressing separate until serving if preparing the salad in advance to maintain its crunch.
Substitutions
- Kale: Substitute with spinach if kale is not your favorite.
- Apple: Use pears or even pomegranate seeds for a unique spin.
- Walnuts: Pecans or almonds make excellent alternatives.
Variations
- Add Protein: You can add chicken or chickpeas to kale salad recipe to make it a complete meal.
- Nut-Free Option: Swap walnuts for sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Cheesy Twist: Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese or feta for extra flavor.
- Citrus Kick: Replace the apple with orange segments for a zesty touch.
Storage Options for Kale Salad Recipe
This Kale Waldorf Salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, keep the dressing separate if you’re making it ahead of time to maintain the salad’s crunch.
Top tip
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and adds an irresistible aroma in the kale salad recipe.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the salad sit in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Kale Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- Fresh kale - 4 cups
- Crisp apples (your choice!) - ½ large
- Celery - 3 Sticks
- Sweet grapes - ¼ cup
- Crunchy walnuts - ¼ cup
- FOR DRESSING
- Creamy Greek yogurt dressing with a touch of honey and lemon
- Apple - ½ large
- Walnuts - ¼ cup
- Raisins - 2 tbs
- Dijon Mustard - 2 tbs
- Water - 2 tbs
- Red wine vinegar - 1 tbs
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Add chopped raw kale, apple, raisins, celery, and walnuts in a bowl. Toss to combine.
- In a blender, add apple toasted walnuts, raisins, dijon mustard, water, red wine vinegar, fine sea salt. Make a puree
- Add the dressing to the salad and toss to combine
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 395Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 564mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 9gSugar: 27gProtein: 9g
FAQ
Yes, you can use pre-packaged kale, but make sure to remove any tough stems and massage the kale to soften it before adding it to the salad.
If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use mayonnaise, sour cream, or a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt to achieve a similar creamy texture.
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Pairing
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