Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Easy Kale Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is the best way to enjoy crispy kale and sweet apples in a single bowl. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping kale crispy. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Irish Whiskey Steak with Creamy Colcannon Mash and High Protein Berry Cottage Cheese Bowl for Quick Breakfast.
Why This Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy kale stays crispy for days
- Sweet apples balance the bitterness
- Creamy lemon tahini dressing is addictive
- Easy, healthy, and delicious
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 medium apples
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- Optional: 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- kale: Remove tough stems and chop leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- apples: Choose sweet varieties like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Salad Spinner — Ensures crispy kale every time. → See on Amazon
- Good Quality Lemon Juicer — Extracts every last drop of juice. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Prepare kale: Remove stems and chop kale into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl.
- Make dressing: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
- Prepare apples: Core and thinly slice apples. Add to bowl with kale.
- Toss: Pour dressing over kale and apples. Toss to combine.
- Add toppings: Add pumpkin seeds and feta cheese. Toss gently 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 one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy kale, massage the dressing into the leaves after tossing.
- Pro tip: Store dressing separately to keep kale crispy.
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 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Yes, prepare all ingredients ahead of time and toss before serving.
Freezing Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Not recommended.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Massaging the kale helps break down the leaves and makes them more tender.
- Best substitution: Substitute apples with pears for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare all ingredients ahead of time and toss before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If kale becomes soggy, add more dressing and toss to rehydrate.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Chef's Knife — Makes prep work a breeze and ensures even slices. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large bunch kale
- 2 medium apples
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup water
Optional Toppings
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare kale: Remove stems and chop kale into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl.
- Make dressing: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
- Prepare apples: Core and thinly slice apples. Add to bowl with kale.
- Toss: Pour dressing over kale and apples. Toss to combine.
- Add toppings: Add pumpkin seeds and feta cheese. Toss gently to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: Massaging the kale helps break down the leaves and makes them more tender.
- Best substitution: Substitute apples with pears for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare all ingredients ahead of time and toss before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If kale becomes soggy, add more dressing and toss to rehydrate.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended.
- Make ahead: Yes, prepare all ingredients ahead of time and toss before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 33g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- 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, prepare all ingredients ahead of time and toss before serving. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead.
Over-dressing or storing the salad with dressing can cause the kale to become soggy. To fix, add more dressing and toss to rehydrate.
Yes, any sweet apple variety will work. Choose your favorite or use what you have on hand.
Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free.
Yes, this salad is perfect for any season. In the winter, use stored apples and kale from your garden or local market.
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!
