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    Home » Recipe Index » Salads

    Kale Apple and Pecan Salad

    October 2, 2019 Updated November 20, 2022 By Rebecca Entrees, Fall Recipes, Pork Dishes, Salads, Side Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    kale, apple and pecan salad on a plate
    kale, apple and pecan salad on a plate

    This hearty kale, apple and pecan salad goes really well with a simply grilled pork chop. It's a simple fall salad that's bursting with flavor, and done in 10 minutes. It's got crisp apples, massaged kale, and glazed pecans with a tangy maple mustard vinaigrette.

    kale apple and pecan salad over a pork chop with ingredients on a table

    PIN HERE to add to your recipe box.

    How will this kale, apple and pecan salad make your life easier?

    You've got a simple maple mustard dressing, with just a few ingredients topping a 3 ingredient salad. It's bursting with flavor, yet just has a handful of ingredients in it. You could also make this simple sauteed kale salad or warm harvest bowl.

    What makes this kale apple and pecan salad so great?

    • Kale
    • Apple
    • Pecans
    • And a salad dressing made with just olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, and a pinch of salt

    How do I make this Kale Apple and Pecan Salad?

    hands removing kale leaves from the stalks

    Mix dressing in mixing bowl by adding 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon each maple syrup & dijon mustard, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Whisk together and set aside.

    Expert Tip: If you won't eat all the salad in one setting, I'd recommend mixing the dressing in another air tight container to store for later. Use dressing on remaining salad or use as a marinade for pork or chicken.

    Next prepare kale by removing kale ribs with your hand by holding the kale stalk at the bottom with both hands, then push one hand up toward the top of the leaf, pushing the leaves off the stalk.

    hands massaging kale

    After you've removed the leaves, grab kale and rub together with your two hands for a minute +. Stop when kale is softened. This will soften the leaves and make them easier to eat. Add kale to mixing bowl with dressing in it.

    Expert Tip: You can sprinkle kale with a pinch of salt to soften it more quickly. I recommend massaging kale whenever you plan to eat it raw.

    Chop ½ apple into bite sized pieces, add to mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon glazed pecans to bowl as well.

    kale, apples, and pecans in a glass mixing bowl with other ingredients surrounding it

    Mix salad together with tongs.

    Even though this salad, is really easy on it's own, I recommend serving it with a really simple protein. Apple + pork is such a great flavor combination, so I highly recommend eating this salad with a pork chop on the side.

    Expert tips

    • Massage the kale so it's easier to eat.
    • Sprinkle kale with a pinch of salt to soften it more quickly. I recommend massaging kale whenever you plan to eat it raw.
    • If you won't eat all the salad in one setting, I'd recommend mixing the dressing in another air tight container to store for later. Use dressing on remaining salad or use as a marinade for pork or chicken.
    • Serve with a pork chop, or cut pork up and add to the salad

    FAQ

    What type of kale is best for salads?

    There are 3 main varieties of kale: curly kale, black kale, and red kale. All are good to use in salads. You can buy the variety that's available or the best price. And then massage it before using as described below.

    Should you eat kale stems?

    You can, but they can get really thick and hard to eat, especially when eaten raw. Remove them by holding the bottom of the stem in one hand and the other at the base of the leaves, then slide your hand at the base of the leaves up to the top of the leaf, this should pull the leaves off easily so you can toss the stems without wasting much of the leaves.

    If you plan on using them, chop them into small pieces and cook them thoroughly.

    How do you make kale less tough?

    Massage it. You do this by removing kale ribs with your hand by holding the kale stalk at the bottom with both hands, then push one hand up toward the top of the leaf, pushing the leaves off the stalk. After you've removed the leaves, grab kale and rub together with your two hands for a minute +. Stop when kale is softened. This will soften the leaves and make them easier to eat. You can sprinkle kale with a pinch of salt to soften it more quickly. I recommend massaging kale whenever you plan to eat it raw.

    Can you eat kale raw in a salad?

    Absolutely, but the kale will be easier to chew if you massage it first. Read the section about making the kale softer in the section below this. You can also cook the kale like in both of these warm kale salads- simple sauteed kale salad, warm kale salad with pomegranate balsamic dressing.

    kale, apple and pecan salad over a pork chop on a plate with a blue towel on the side and a sliced apple

    Ways to repurpose this salad

    Chop up a pork chop, or leftover pork, add it to the salad, and eat for leftovers.

    Other recipes using kale, apples, and pecans

    • (kale, apples) Harvest Bowl with Kale & Butternut Squash
    • (kale) Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole
    • (apples) Skillet Pork Chops with Apples, dip them in this 2 Ingredient PB dip, No Bake Apple Tart with Yogurt Filling
    • (pecans) add them to any salad.

    Did you make this kale apple and pecan salad? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    kale, apple and pecan salad on a plate
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Kale Apple and Pecan Salad

    This hearty kale, apple and pecan salad goes really well with a simply grilled pork chop. It's a simple fall salad that's bursting with flavor.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • medium mixing bowl
    • knife
    • cutting board
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Measuring Cups
    • whisk
    • tongs

    Ingredients

    • 2 stalks kale
    • ½ whole apple I used a Pink Lady apple but golden delicious, honeycrisp, granny smith, or braeburn would be delicious in this recipe
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon glazed pecans or regular

    Instructions

    • Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon each maple syrup, dijon mustard, and ⅛ teaspoon salt to mixing bowl. Whisk together. Set aside.
    • Prepare 2 stalks kale by removing kale ribs with your hand by holding the kale stalk at the bottom with both hands, then push one hand up toward the top of the leaf, pushing the leaves off the stalk. After you've removed the leaves, grab kale and rub together with your two hands for a minute +. Chop into bite sized pieces. Transfer to mixing bowl with dressing in it.
    • Chop ½ apple into bite sized pieces. Transfer to mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon glazed pecans to mixing bowl. Mix together with tongs. Serve with pork or another protein.

    Video

    Apple Pecan Salad

    Notes

    • Massage the kale so it's easier to eat.
    • Sprinkle kale with a pinch of salt to soften it more quickly. I recommend massaging kale whenever you plan to eat it raw.
    • If you won't eat all the salad in one setting, I'd recommend mixing the dressing in another air tight container to store for later. Use dressing on remaining salad or use as a marinade for pork or chicken.
    • Serve with a pork chop, or cut pork up and add to the salad

    Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    More Salads

    • Chicken Pecan Salad with Apples
    • Zucchini with Feta
    • Copycat Chick Fil A Kale Salad Recipe
    • Apple Cucumber Salad

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ellen says

      October 02, 2019 at 10:33 am

      Such a great fall salad! I can imagine serving this all season long.

      Reply
    2. Sapana says

      October 02, 2019 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I love how simple and delicious this salad is! Can't wait to use the apples I picked up at the farmers market this past weekend to make this salad - I'm sure it will be a favorite!

      Reply
    3. Alison says

      October 02, 2019 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      I literally get cravings for kale salad! This is a delicious and simple salad that's perfect for those times I get a kale craving. A quick lunch too!

      Reply
    4. Sara Welch says

      October 02, 2019 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Such a light and refreshing salad! Looking forward to enjoying this for lunch again this afternoon!

      Reply
    5. Kelly Anthony says

      October 02, 2019 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      I've always massaged my kale but I didn't know the tip with the salt. Thanks for sharing and your salad looks delicious!

      Reply
    6. Anna says

      October 03, 2019 at 12:52 am

      5 stars
      Wow! I love apples in salads. It looks delicious! Sure, it's also very healthy. Thank you for sharing this recipe, Rebecca! And I appreciate you posted a video. It's rather helpful!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 03, 2019 at 6:03 pm

        Yay! thanks Anna! I'm glad you find the video helpful

        Reply

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    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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