Kale Salad with Apples and Cheddar
Looking for a delicious, hearty salad you can make in less than 20 minutes? Try this kale apple salad with bacon, sharp cheddar and pepitas (or pumpkin seeds) is paired with a simple, homemade vinaigrette made with real food ingredients.
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Want a hearty salad that’s crisp, tart, and satisfying? You’ll love this delicious Kale Salad with Apples and Cheddar. The salad itself is just 5 simple ingredients, and served with a homemade dressing that you can use for other salads as well.
It tastes like something served in a fine dining restaurant, yet it’s easy to make with ingredienets you likely already have in the kitchen.
About the Ingredients
- Kale: Fresh, hearty kale has a cruch and the heart of this salad
- Apples: Crisp gala apples give this salad a refreshing crunc
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Be sure to use sharp if possible as it has a sharper flavor that’s distinct and pairs well with the crispness of the applies
- Pepitas: Toasted pepitas or pumpkin seeds give this salad a crunch, but you can substitute with other toasted nuts like pecans, walnuts, or even almonds
- Dressing: Made with apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup and olive oil, this simple dressing packs a lot of flavor and complements so well with the ingredients in the salad
How to Make This Salad
In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped kale, and then layer the apples, sharp cheddar cheese, and pepitas on top.
Drizzle the Maple Dijon Dressing over the salad, and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Serve the salad immediately after tossing in the dressing. This will ensure the kale doesn’t get soggy.
Variations and Substitutions
You can customize this salad with ingredients you have on hand or to suit your preferences. Use feta or goat cheese instead of sharp cheddar cheese. You could use pears, dried cranberries, or dried blueberries instead of the apples. Or use other toasted nuts or seeds instead of the pepitas. Be sure to combine a fruit, cheese, and nut along with the kale and the dressing to get a similar flavor profile.
For salad dressing variations and substitutions, check out the Maple Dijon Dressing recipe.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
Serving Suggestions
- This kale salad pairs well with so many different meals. It could be a main meal itself if you add Pan Fried Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, or salmon with it.
- Serve this salad as a starter before a light pasta dish, or even a main meal like Instant Pot Roast Chicken and Baby Hasselback Potatoes.
- For a lighter option, you could serve it along with a Minestrone Soup, Cauliflower Soup, or Stuffed Pepper Soup.
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Kale Salad with Apples and Cheddar
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 Tongs
Ingredients
- 4 cups kale chopped
- 1 gala apple cored and cubed
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbled
- 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese diced
- 2 tbsp pepitas or pumpkin seeds
- 2/3 cup Maple Dijon Dressing
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add kale and then layer other ingredients on top.
- Drizzle Maple Dijon Dressing on top.
- Gently toss salad making sure kale is evenly coated with dressing.
- Serve immediately alone or with your favorite protein like grilled chicken or salmon.
