Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a crisp, fresh, and satisfying side dish that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the dressing to balance the crispy kale and sweet apples. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe and Easy Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts Recipe.
Why This Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy kale balances sweet apples
- Zesty lemon tahini dressing
- Quick and easy to make
- Healthy and satisfying
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 sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup tahini
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Shredded carrots
- Optional: Pomegranate seeds
- Optional: Crumbled feta
📝 Ingredient Notes
- kale: Remove tough stems and tear into bite-sized pieces.
- apples: Choose a sweet variety like Gala or Fuji.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food Processor — Quickly chops kale and minces garlic. → See on Amazon
- Lemon Squeezer — Effortlessly juices lemons for the dressing. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Prepare kale: Remove stems and tear kale into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly.
- Make dressing: Blend tahini, lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add water to thin if needed.
- Assemble salad: Toss kale with dressing, sliced apples, and almonds. Add optional toppings if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Tip: Massage the kale with your hands before adding the dressing to soften it and help it absorb the flavors.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. Start with half the dressing and add more to taste. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- Tip: For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it a main dish.
- Tip: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The kale will soften over time, but it's still delicious.
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: You can make the dressing up to 1 day ahead and store it in the fridge.
Freezing Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Not recommended for this salad.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make this salad heartier, add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach or arugula for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: You can make the dressing up to 1 day ahead and store it in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add a little water to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Makes prep work easier and protects your counters. → 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 sliced almonds
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup tahini
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper
Optional Toppings
- Shredded carrots
- Pomegranate seeds
- Crumbled feta
Instructions
- Prepare kale: Remove stems and tear kale into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly.
- Make dressing: Blend tahini, lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add water to thin if needed.
- Assemble salad: Toss kale with dressing, sliced apples, and almonds. Add optional toppings if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this salad heartier, add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach or arugula for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: You can make the dressing up to 1 day ahead and store it in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add a little water to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: You can make the dressing up to 1 day ahead and store it in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
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 salad and dressing separately up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Make sure to remove the tough stems and massage the kale with your hands before adding the dressing to soften it.
No, freezing will cause the kale to lose its texture and the apples to become mushy.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for making this salad.
You can substitute kale with spinach or arugula for a different flavor profile.
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!
