Kale Salad With Apples and Cheddar Recipe (2024)

Ratings

5

out of 5

3,746

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Me

If you use a sturdier kale, take a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of the oil and massage the kale in the large bowl before adding other ingredients. You're looking to soften the kale before you mix in the other ingredients. It really works.

Anne Thompson

This is tasty but there's no way it can be made in five minutes. Just cutting up the kale takes longer than
hat. I'd estimate between 20 and 30 minutes.

Monica R.

This is a simple and delicious way to eat kale. I found the cheddar was lost in the salad and have since made it without cheese - it's just a good. Also great with a few pomegranate seeds sprinkled in.

Wisoc003

Absolute adore this recipe -- it's my favorite salad, hands down! It's so simple and so delicious! I typically dress the salad before I head to work in the morning, and by lunch the kale is perfectly tender but still fresh. I also substituted Gruyere to add a very subtle funk.

Frankie R

I feel the authors heart is in the right place with this recipe, but the execution is way off. All the ingredients work great together, but not in the given amounts. I changed it to 2 tbsp of olive oil, 3 tbsp (one whole fresh lemon ) of lemon juice, 2 oz of cheddar cheese. Five tablespoons of olive oil is just way too much and leaves your mouth feeling oily, and 1 oz of cheddar leaves people poking around wondering where the rest is.

Matthew

Massaging the lemon juice in first will cook and soften the kale (and your hands).

Austin Val

This is a DELICIOUS salad. I've made it a dozen times and never get tired of it!

Before I juice the lemon, I zest it onto the kale before juicing it. This adds to the zing of the citrus. Umm!

Ems

What a wonderful recipe - I substituted Cheddar cheese for Feta, and added walnuts and Sicilian olives. I also took advice from 'Monica R' and added pomegranate and 'Gabrielle' to up the lemon a bit. I also took advice from 'Me' to first massage kale with salt & oil - Thanks to everyones feedback the result was Delicious!!!

Jill

Speed the prep by buying a bag of shredded kale (found mine at Trader Joe's). Definitely a good base for variations. This time I substituted pumpkin seeds for almonds, due to a nut allergy, and next time, I'm going to try blue cheese instead of cheddar and add cranberries or pomegranate seeds, depending on what I have on hand.

HeidiK

This simple recipe can go so many ways! I have used pear & blue cheese for a twist....along with apple & pecans that were roasted with a bit of sea salt and cracked pepper. Simple and easy! Prepare it and go on with the rest of the dinner/lunch prep as the longer it sits the better it tastes!

Carolyn

An alternative version of this includes quinua, and feta along with the apples and kale rather than the cheddar.

lallison

Cooked, but the cheddar is a mistake. The freshness of the apples/kale is masked by the cheddar. Leave out the parmesan, too. Lemon juice is nice, but an apple cider vinegar seems more appropriate. Letting the salad sit around for a day adds to its sweetness. I would recommend a visalia onion to the garlic, but... garlic is lovely.

Sarah

Quick and easy. With chicken on top, this is a go-to for bringing lunch take to work. If you make a batch of dressing beforehand and just leave it in the fridge, it takes about five minutes to chop up a single-serve portion. I dress the salad and by the time I eat it 4 hours later, the kale is nice and flavorful. (I wouldn't do it with any other green!)

triciasnell

Great salad. I wanted to double recipe, but didn't have enough kale, so added spinach and arugula that I had on hand, all cut up as small as the kale was. It really worked. Great salad to make ahead of time if you are going to an event. I put each ingredient already cut up into separate containers and bags and it was easy to assemble once I arrived after a long drive. Definitely adding this to my pot-luck list.

Margey

Delicious. Toasted pumpkin seeds made it even better. Loved the Apple/cheddar combo.

Heidi

Awesome recipe. I used Extra Sharp Cabot Cheese. Didn’t massage the kale. Just let it sit in the dressing for a bit. I’m definitely making again. THANK YOU NYT!

CZ

Works amazing subbing Arugula for Kale

Guy

Excellent use of my fresh grown kale. Served with brown rice and oysters wrapped in bacon.

kathy

I enjoyed the salad overall. The cheddar seems unneeded to me. Lots of possibilities for variations though.

Mary Jo

This is a nice and easy alternative to other kale salads. Massaging the kale softens it and helps it absorb the dressing. Varying the type of cheese and apples is fun too. Tried a extra sharp cheddar and a different day used a white cheese marbled with truffle.

drea

Add toasted almonds for a warm nuttiness I also use manchego instead of Parmesan

sarah in sf

This was good, simple and easy peasy but not a mind blowing experience. Next time will add pomegranate because why ever not?

Caryn

I made lots of changes but overall enjoyed the inspiration the recipe gave! Massaged the kale, grated the cheddar with a box grater, added apple cider vinegar to the dressing, added chopped craisins, and subbed chopped pecans for the almonds. Next time I may grate at least some of the apple too, to see if I like that texture more.

Meaghan L

Good but needed tweaking, more almonds, a little sherry vinegar and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard in the dressing

Jen

I added apple cider vinegar and pepitas to it and it was great.

shannon

this is a great salad for a quick lunch or busy weeknight dinner. I add a touch of maple syrup to the dressing and roasted chicken peas or chicken for protein

jil

Easy and delicious! Great flavor combo.

Linda

You can pack the washed kale tightly into the opening on top of your food processor and process using the slicing blade. This greatly reduces the prep time.

joy

- Massage kale w pinch of salt and 1 T of the oil and let rest for awhile

Bee

Used a pear instead of an apple - worked wonders!

Private notes are only visible to you.

Kale Salad With Apples and Cheddar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make kale less bitter for salad? ›

Kale leaves can also be massaged with a little olive oil. Adding salt and squeezing lemon make a big difference by removing bitterness. Adding some spicy or sweet flavors may help tame the strong flavor of bitter kale. For example, tossing in some dried fruit helps balance the bitter with some sweet.

How do you make Katie Lee kale salad? ›

Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, vinegar, honey, celery seeds, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix to blend. Put the kale, cabbage, carrots, and sunflower seeds in a large bowl and pour in the dressing. Toss to combine until everything is evenly coated, then serve or store in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.

What are the best sweet apples for salads? ›

Fuji has a sweet flavor and incredibly crisp texture that makes it perfect for slicing. It adds a great crunch to salads and sides. Gala has thin skin and tender flesh that allows it to add a tang to salads without leaving stringy skin behind. Honeycrisp is an all-star apple.

Will kale salad get soggy? ›

No! That's the beauty of kale. You can prep this simple kale salad up to an hour before serving it and it will still be crunchy and delicious. After several hours it becomes a bit softer but never really soggy.

What is the best way to soften kale for salad? ›

How to Massage Kale. Our go-to method: Add chopped kale to a large bowl and top with lemon juice and olive oil. Use clean hands to massage for about 3 minutes to soften the leaves and infuse the leaves with the oil and lemon. A pinch of salt added near the end of massaging adds even more flavor.

What is the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

She spent the day sharing pieces of her life, including a few of her favorite meals. For lunch, she had what is now known as the Jennifer Aniston salad: bulgur wheat, cucumber, herbs, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and pistachios.

What is the best apple to eat raw? ›

The Best Apples to Eat Raw
  • Honeycrisp.
  • Braeburn.
  • Fuji.
  • Gala.
  • Golden Delicious.
  • McIntosh.
  • Empire.

What is the healthiest kind of apple? ›

Red Delicious Apples

They've got more polyphenolic compounds than most other apples, with most of the nutrition in the skin – so be sure not to peel them before chowing down. Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants.

What is the softest apple to eat? ›

McIntosh. Even softer than Golden Delicious, McIntosh apples are creamy (and a bit mealy) on the inside, which makes them a great option for being cooked down into applesauce or soup. They have a juicy, tart-and-tangy flavor, deep red skin, and bright white interior.

Why do you massage kale salad? ›

Kale is fibrous and can be difficult to munch compared to other greens like romaine lettuce or spinach. The rubbing, kneading motion helps to tenderize the veg and make it easier to chew and digest. Try this for raw kale you are going to be serving or eating right away.

Should you dress a kale salad early? ›

And because kale is a sturdy green I find that I can toss it with dressing in the morning and it is still perfect by lunchtime. And it is so versatile. Add your favourite salad dressing, I like these: Lemon Tahini dressing.

How long can you keep kale salad in the fridge? ›

Typical shelf life: Generally, kale can last in the fridge for about five to seven days. The key is to store it correctly to maintain its crispness and nutrients. Impact of temperature and humidity: Kale prefers a cool and slightly humid environment, so the crisper drawer in your fridge is ideal.

How do you take the bitterness out of salad leaves? ›

Blanch Them. Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

How to neutralize bitter taste? ›

The Fix: Balance bitter flavors by introducing something salty, sweet, or sour. For naturally bitter foods such as kale, you can soften the flavor by add a lemony vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and pomegranate seeds. You can also elevate kale by tossing it olive oil and salt, then roasting it in the oven until crispy.

How to make kale more palatable? ›

Soaking kale in warm water can also work to tenderize it. The dip into the water will also serve to clean it in preparation for a favorite kale recipe. This technique will help to improve the flavor after you have chopped it on your board with a sharp kitchen knife.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6041

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.