Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is crispy, fresh, and packed with flavor. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping kale crispy is to massage it with a bit of oil and lemon juice. This 20-minute side dish is better than takeout and perfect for busy weeknights. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chicken Avocado Wrap Recipe for Quick Dinner and Easy Smoked Baby Potatoes with Beer Mustard and BBQ Rub.
Why This Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy kale and sweet apples in every bite
- Creamy lemon tahini dressing that's better than store-bought
- Easy to make and packed with flavor
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 crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Pumpkin seeds
- Optional: Sunflower seeds
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Kale: Remove tough stems and tear into bite-sized pieces.
- Apples: Choose a sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Tahini — Smooth, creamy dressing that's better than store-bought. → See on Amazon
- Lemon juicer — Effortlessly juice lemons for a fresh, tangy dressing. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Prepare kale: Remove tough stems from kale and tear into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Massage oil into kale with your hands until it softens and turns a deeper green color.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until dressing reaches desired consistency.
- Prepare apples: Core apples and thinly slice. Add to bowl with kale along with feta cheese.
- Toss salad: Pour dressing over kale and apple mixture. Toss to combine, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Top with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. Start with less dressing and add more as needed. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the dressing and slice the apples while the kale is massaging.
- Nutrition tip: Add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for extra protein and fiber.
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 fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare dressing and slice apples up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
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 this salad ahead, prepare the dressing and slice the apples up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach or arugula for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare dressing and slice apples up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Simply adjust the quantities of ingredients to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad spinner — Ensures crispy kale every time by removing excess water after massaging. → 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 crumbled feta cheese
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare kale: Remove tough stems from kale and tear into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Massage oil into kale with your hands until it softens and turns a deeper green color.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until dressing reaches desired consistency.
- Prepare apples: Core apples and thinly slice. Add to bowl with kale along with feta cheese.
- Toss salad: Pour dressing over kale and apple mixture. Toss to combine, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Top with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this salad ahead, prepare the dressing and slice the apples up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach or arugula for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare dressing and slice apples up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Simply adjust the quantities of ingredients to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Prepare dressing and slice apples up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- 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 dressing and slice the apples up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving.
Over-massaging the kale or adding too much dressing can cause it to become soggy. Be gentle when massaging and start with less dressing, adding more as needed.
Yes, you can use any type of apple you prefer. Sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady work well in this salad.
Add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or quinoa for extra protein and fiber.
Yes, this salad is perfect for the winter. The crispy kale and sweet apples make it a refreshing side dish for cozy meals.
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!
