Crunchy Kale Salad with Apple and Pecans
Our crunchy Kale Salad with Apples and Pecans is a delicious and satisfying salad that is perfect for any meal. It's absolutely packed with flavor, from the toasted panko breadcrumbs and pecans, to shaved Parmesan cheese. Dressed with a homemade lemon tahini dressing that is subtly sweet and nutty, this salad recipe will leave you feeling full and happy.
Prep15 minutes mins
Cook5 minutes mins
Total20 minutes mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Low Calorie, Vegetarian
Keyword: chef-tested recipe, easy kale salad, elevated salad recipe, kale apple salad, restaurant-worthy salad
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 254kcal
For the Breadcrumbs
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup fresh or store-bought breadcrumbs
For the Kale Salad
- 1 bunch lacinato kale ribs removed, leaves thinly sliced into ¼-½-inch strips
- 1 medium apple such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji, cut into matchsticks about ¼-inch thick and 1-inch long
- ⅓ cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup shaved Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
- Flaky sea salt for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup lemon tahini dressing
Make the lemon tahini dressing. If you haven't already, make a batch of our lemon tahini dressing. Toast the breadcrumbs. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add ⅓ cup of breadcrumbs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
Assemble the kale salad. Place thinly sliced kale, apple, ⅓ cup toasted pecans, ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan, and toasted breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Drizzle the lemon tahini dressing on top, then toss well. Serve immediately with additional shaved Parmesan, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and black pepper, if wanted.
- Make ahead: Lemon tahini dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead; refrigerate and whisk before using. Prep salad up to 24 hours ahead, but add dressing just before serving. Toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days (kale will soften slightly). Freezing is not recommended.
Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 164mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4572IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 225mg | Iron: 2mg