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Fresh Harvest Kale Salad: Easy 5-Ingredient Apple Feta Recipe

fresh harvest kale salad - featured image

A vibrant, crunchy kale salad with crisp apples and salty feta, massaged with a light vinaigrette for a healthy, crowd-pleasing side dish or light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large bunch curly kale (stems removed, chopped into bite-sized pieces)
  • 2 medium green apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, cored and thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: Toasted walnuts or pecans
  • Optional: Dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Remove stems from the kale and chop leaves into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Place chopped kale in a large bowl, add a pinch of salt and a splash of olive oil, and massage with hands for 2-3 minutes until leaves are darker and softer.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
  4. Core and thinly slice the apples. Toss with a little lemon juice to prevent browning if not serving immediately.
  5. Add sliced apples and crumbled feta to the massaged kale.
  6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all leaves.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve immediately.

Notes

Massaging the kale is essential to remove bitterness and tenderize the leaves. Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to avoid mushiness. For meal prep, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving. Do not freeze this salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: kale salad, apple feta salad, healthy side dish, meal prep salad, gluten-free salad, quick recipes, vegetarian recipes