Name: Kale Apple and Pecan Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 stalks kale; 1/2 whole apple; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon glazed pecans (or regular)

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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

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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, kale salad with a pomegranate balsamic dressing, 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 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp each maple syrup & dijon mustard, and 1/8 tsp 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.

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 1/2 apple into bite sized pieces, add to mixing bowl. Add 1 tbsp 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!

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