Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a crispy, fresh, and better-than-takeout side dish. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping kale crispy is to massage it. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Mediterranean Avocado Toast and Easy Chicken Shawarma.
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 perfect for meal prepping
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.
- Kale
- Apples
- Lemon
- Tahini
- Garlic
- Maple Syrup
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Pumpkin Seeds
- Optional: Goat Cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Kale: Remove tough stems before chopping.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality Chef's Knife — Makes prep work faster and safer. → See on Amazon
- Tahini Paste — Smooth and creamy dressing every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Prepare Dressing: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gradually add water until desired consistency is reached.
- Massage Kale: Chop kale and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage leaves with your hands for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Assemble Salad: Toss kale with sliced apples, pumpkin seeds, and goat cheese (if using). Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. Add dressing gradually and toss to combine.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the dressing and chop the kale ahead of time. Store separately until ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare dressing and chop kale ahead of time. Combine before serving.
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: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale for spinach or arugula if preferred.
- Make-ahead: Prepare dressing and chop kale ahead of time. Combine before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Simply adjust ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If dressing is too thick, add more water. If too thin, add more tahini.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad Spinner — Ensures crispy kale every time. Pays for itself vs. soggy salads. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Kale
- Apples
- Lemon
- Tahini
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Maple Syrup
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Goat Cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gradually add water until desired consistency is reached.
- Massage Kale: Chop kale and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage leaves with your hands for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Assemble Salad: Toss kale with sliced apples, pumpkin seeds, and goat cheese (if using). Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale for spinach or arugula if preferred.
- Make-ahead: Prepare dressing and chop kale ahead of time. Combine before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Simply adjust ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If dressing is too thick, add more water. If too thin, add more tahini.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Prepare dressing and chop kale ahead of time. Combine before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
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, prepare the dressing and chop the kale ahead of time. Combine before serving to keep kale crispy.
Over-dressing the salad or not massaging the kale can cause it to become soggy. Follow the tips above to prevent this.
Yes, any type of apple will work. Sweeter apples like Gala or Fuji work well in this salad.
Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free. Ensure all ingredients used are certified gluten-free if necessary.
Yes, add your favorite protein such as grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to make it a more filling meal.
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!
