Winter Kale Apple Cheddar (Print Page)

Hearty winter greens with crisp apples, sharp cheddar, nuts, and a bright vinaigrette dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Greens

01 - 1 large bunch kale (about 8 cups), stems removed, leaves chopped

→ Fruits & Cheese

02 - 2 medium crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
03 - 3.5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes or thin shavings

→ Nuts & Seeds

04 - 1/3 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
05 - 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

→ Dried Fruit

06 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
11 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
12 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Place chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 2–3 minutes until it softens and darkens in color.
02 - Add the sliced apples, cheddar cheese, toasted nuts, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries to the bowl with the massaged kale.
03 - In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until thoroughly emulsified.
04 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately for optimal crunch, or allow to rest 10–15 minutes for more tender kale.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The massaged kale trick transforms tough leaves into something silky and tender without any cooking
  • It holds up beautifully for hours, making it your secret weapon for potlucks and meal prep
  • The sweet and salty crunch combo keeps you coming back for just one more bite
02 -
  • Skip the kale massage step and you will know immediately. The leaves stay tough and the dressing slides right off.
  • The dressing might feel too sharp at first taste on its own, but remember it needs to stand up to all those hearty ingredients.
  • This salad actually improves over a few hours in the fridge, though the nuts will lose some crunch.
03 -
  • Use a salad spinner after massaging the kale to remove excess moisture so the dressing actually sticks
  • Taste the dressed salad after 5 minutes since the kale absorbs salt and might need another pinch

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