Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a crispy, fresh, and satisfying side dish that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping kale crispy is to massage it with a bit of olive oil and lemon juice. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners and Easy Chicken Ramen Stir Fry with Fresh Veggies.
Why This Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy kale and sweet apples in every bite
- Tangy lemon tahini dressing that's irresistible
- Easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes
- A refreshing side dish that pairs with everything
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 roasted almonds
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Dried cranberries
📝 Ingredient Notes
- kale: Remove tough stems and tear into bite-sized pieces.
- apples: Choose a sweet variety like Fuji or Gala.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the dressing → See on Amazon
- High-speed blender — Makes a smooth and creamy dressing → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Prepare the kale: Remove tough stems and tear kale into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and lemon juice. Massage with your hands until kale is tender and crispy.
- Make the dressing: In a blender, combine tahini, lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble the salad: Thinly slice apples and add to the bowl with kale. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine. Top with roasted almonds and any optional toppings.
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 you reach your desired level of sauciness.
- Pro tip: For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or chickpeas to the salad.
- Pro tip: Make the dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to one week.
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: The dressing can be made up to one week ahead of time.
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 the salad heartier, add cooked quinoa or farro.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the kale and apples up to one day ahead of time. Store separately and combine with dressing just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Makes prep work a breeze and keeps your counters clean → 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 roasted almonds
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the kale: Remove tough stems and tear kale into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and lemon juice. Massage with your hands until kale is tender and crispy.
- Make the dressing: In a blender, combine tahini, lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble the salad: Thinly slice apples and add to the bowl with kale. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine. Top with roasted almonds and any optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make the salad heartier, add cooked quinoa or farro.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the kale and apples up to one day ahead of time. Store separately and combine with dressing just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
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: The dressing can be made up to one week ahead of time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
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 kale and apples up to one day ahead of time. Store separately and combine with dressing just before serving.
This is a common issue with tahini dressings. To fix, blend in a bit more olive oil or water until smooth.
No, the kale will become soggy when thawed.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for making salads.
Spinach or Swiss chard are good substitutes for a milder flavor.
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!
