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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Vegan Salad Recipes

    Kale Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Warm Cranberry Vinaigrette

    Last Modified: Nov 15, 2022 by Becky Striepe

    Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Recipe Video Print
    kale apple walnut salad in bowl on a marble table
    kale apple walnut salad in bowl on a marble table, text overlay
    image collage showing adding lemon to the kale, massaged kale, adding the other salad ingredients and the salad after tossing

    A hearty, warm, kale apple walnut salad with vibrant cranberry vinaigrette is healthy and delicious! Serve it as a side or an entree.

    kale apple walnut salad in bowl on a marble table

    Sweet apples and earthy walnuts pair beautifully with fresh, massaged kale in this warm salad.

    Jump To:
    • Choosing the ingredients
    • Recipe notes
    • Nut-free option
    • What to serve with this salad
    • Storage and make-ahead directions
    • Kale Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    bowl of raw kale surrounded by other salad ingredients on a wooden cutting board

    Choosing the ingredients

    You can use curly kale or dinosaur kale in this recipe. Both massage down beautifully. Dinosaur kale tends to be more mild in flavor, so if you find kale salads to be bitter, I'd recommend going that direction.

    For the apples, choose something sweet with a good, crisp texture. Some good apple options for this kale salad are:

    • Fiji
    • Autumn Glory
    • Honeycrisp
    • Pink Lady
    • Gala

    Recipe notes

    This recipe starts with massaged kale, so remove the ribs from your kale and tear it into bite-sized pieces. Add it to a bowl along with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.

    Massage the kale until it turns bright green, then toss in sweet, chopped apple, crunchy walnuts, and a little minced onion.

    Set the salad aside while you make the dressing.

    To make the ginger cranberry dressing, you simply combine fresh cranberries, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, ginger, and maple syrup in your blender. Blend until the dressing is totally smooth.

    image collage showing adding lemon to the kale, massaged kale, adding the other salad ingredients and the salad after tossing

    Now, it's time to warm the dressing! You can either microwave it for a minute or so to warm it or do this on the stovetop. Either way, try not to let it come to a boil. If it does hit a boil, it's not a disaster, you just don't want the dressing to cook down and thicken.

    Toss the kale salad with the warm vinaigrette, and get ready to wow your guests!

    Nut-free option

    If you don't do nuts, you can use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead of walnuts. They'll still deliver that earthy crunch!

    If it's just walnuts you can't or don't like to eat, you can also use other nuts. Pecans, cashews, or sliced almonds all work well in this salad.

    What to serve with this salad

    This makes a delicious side salad or entree. As an entree, it will serve three to four people, and as a side it serves up to six.

    If you're serving this as a side, try pairing it with one of these main dishes:

    • quinoa lentil meatloaf
    • crispy tofu
    • chicken fried tofu

    Or go the soup-and-a-salad route and serve it with:

    • creamy pumpkin black bean soup
    • butternut squash soup
    • yellow split pea soup
    • creamy broccoli soup

    Storage and make-ahead directions

    If you're making this ahead, don't add the walnuts, apples, or the dressing until just before serving. The walnuts soften with time, and you don't want the apples to brown, so don't slice them until it's time to serve.

    And, of course, you want that dressing separate so you can warm it before adding.

    The rest of the salad can be stored in the fridge for up to a day ahead of time.

    Leftover fully-assembled salad will keep for up to two days in an airtight container in the fridge. Like I mention above, the walnuts will soften and the apples may brown a bit, but it will still taste delicious. Serve leftovers cold or at room temperature.

    kale apple walnut salad in bowl on a marble table

    Kale Apple Walnut Salad Recipe

    A hearty, warm, kale apple walnut salad with vibrant cranberry vinaigrette is healthy and delicious! Serve it as a side or an entree.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: kale walnut and apple salad, kale walnut apple salad
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 241kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    For the massaged kale salad

    • 8 cups chopped kale - ribs removed
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • juice of 1 fresh lemon
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 red apple - chopped into bite-sized pieces
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts
    • ¼ cup cup minced red onion

    For the cranberry vinaigrette

    • 1 cup fresh cranberries
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1" piece of fresh ginger
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

    Instructions

    Make the salad

    • In a large bowl, combine the kale, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. With clean hands, massage the kale until it turns rich, dark brown and begins to wilt.
    • Toss in the apple, walnuts, and onion, making sure everything gets coated in the oil and lemon. The lemon is going to help prevent the apples from browning, so be thorough!

    Make the dressing

    • Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Transfer to a microwave safe bowl and warm that way or heat in a small pan on medium until you just start to see bubbles form. Do not bring to a boil!
    • Toss the salad with the warm dressing, and serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    For the apple, choose one that's got a nice, sweet flavor and non-mealy texture, like Fiji, Autumn Glory, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Gala.
    Leftover salad will keep for up to 2 days in the fridge. Serve leftovers cold or at room temperature.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Kale Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    241
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    21
    g
    32
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    15
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    12
    g
    Sodium
     
    74
    mg
    3
    %
    Potassium
     
    322
    mg
    9
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    13
    g
    4
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    16
    %
    Sugar
     
    7
    g
    8
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    6715
    IU
    134
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    66
    mg
    80
    %
    Calcium
     
    187
    mg
    19
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo!Mention @GlueAndGlitter on Instagram or Twitter!

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a warm salad?

    Warm salad might sound gross, but chances are you've eaten one without even knowing it! I'm not talking about heating up a bowl of lettuce, because that would be gross.

    A warm salad is any salad with warm elements. That could mean a warm dressing, like in this kale apple walnut salad. It could also mean dishing up warm veggies over greens, like my butternut squash kale salad or using a warm protein, like my crispy tofu salad.

    Warm salads are a good way to sneak in some veggies while still dishing up a cozy bowl of food.

    Why do you massage kale?

    You can certainly eat raw kale without massaging, but the texture can be a bit unpleasant. Massaging kale breaks it down to make it less tough. It almost gets the same texture you'd achieve from very lightly steaming it, but no cooking required.

    Massaging also coats that kale in seasonings, which is a great chance to add some contrasting flavors, like lemon and salt.

    How do you get the bitterness out of kale salad?

    Massaging with lemon juice and salt helps remove some of kale's bitter flavor, as does pairing it with sweet elements, like apples and the cranberry dressing.

    The type of kale you choose also makes a difference. If you find kale's bitterness off-putting, I recommend opting for dinosaur (aka lacinto) kale. It has a less bitter flavor than curly or Russian kale.

    How do you massage kale?

    To massage kale, add a little bit of salt, something acidic, and (usually) a little bit of oil. Then, get in there with clean hands and gently massage it until it turns a beautiful, bright green. It doesn't take long! The salt, acid, and massaging motion work together to soften the kale to the perfect texture.

    What apples are best for salads?

    I always opt for apples that I'd also eat on their own when I'm choosing one for a salad. Opt for apples that have a nice, sweet flavor and non-mealy texture, like Fiji, Autumn Glory, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Gala.

    Is this gluten-free?

    Yes! This salad is naturally gluten-free.

    More Vegan Salad Recipes

    • Israeli Couscous Salad Recipe with Creamy Avocado Dressing
    • Vegan mashed chickpea salad with grapes
    • Butternut squash kale salad
    • Warm Brussels Sprout Salad with Cranberries & Almonds

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Katie

      December 19, 2016 at 5:03 pm

      This looks fantastic and I might need to have that dressing ready for all of my meals.... :)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 19, 2016 at 5:14 pm

        It is good on basically all of the food! Haha

        Reply
    2. Sarah

      November 20, 2016 at 11:10 pm

      Love this—creamy cranberry apple dressings pair so well with kale! And I LOVE your apple napkin!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 21, 2016 at 7:25 am

        Thank you! I got the napkin at a local craft market. I love her stuff!

        Reply
    3. Ginny McMeans

      November 20, 2016 at 8:17 am

      Love love love Superfood Growers. So glad they are here. That salad sounds so flavorful and filling too!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 20, 2016 at 8:34 am

        Thank you, Ginny! I'm glad to have learned about them!

        Reply
    4. Cadry

      November 18, 2016 at 11:28 pm

      Oh, what a fun idea to warm the dressing before topping the salad! In the colder months, I have a hard time eating salad, unless I've added something warm to it. But I hadn't even thought about warming the dressing! Brilliant!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 19, 2016 at 7:35 am

        Thank you, Cadry!

        Reply
    5. Linda @ Veganosity

      November 18, 2016 at 7:38 pm

      I just love the color of that dressing!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 18, 2016 at 8:04 pm

        Thank you, Linda!

        Reply
    6. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day

      November 18, 2016 at 12:02 am

      This is totally my kind of salad! I'm not familiar with Autumn Glory Apples, but I will be on the lookout for them.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 18, 2016 at 8:02 am

        They were new to me, also, but I'm hooked. Darrol loves them, too!

        Reply
    7. Jenn

      November 17, 2016 at 9:32 am

      Love that beautiful dressing! Sounds so festive and healthy!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 17, 2016 at 10:39 am

        Thank you! It's definitely a new fave.

        Reply
    8. Mary Ellen @ VNutrition

      November 17, 2016 at 8:23 am

      A pretty and healthy treat for the holidays!

      I'm all about organic non-GMO apples too. :)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 17, 2016 at 8:30 am

        Thank you, Mary Ellen!

        Reply
    9. Dianne's Vegan Kitchen

      November 16, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      I love the festive colors of this salad!

      Reply
    10. Alisa @ Go Dairy Free

      November 16, 2016 at 12:47 am

      That vinaigrette looks so pretty! And I couldn't love the flavoring more - especially the ginger part.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 16, 2016 at 7:45 am

        Thank you, Alisa!

        Reply
    11. Dianne

      November 15, 2016 at 3:54 pm

      I love how colorful this is!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 15, 2016 at 4:44 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    12. Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite

      November 15, 2016 at 1:07 am

      What a delicious looking salad! I love all the different types of flavors you have going on.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 15, 2016 at 7:36 am

        Thank you!

        Reply

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    About Me

    Glue and Glitter
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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