Crunchy Kale Salad! Classic kale salad with lots of crunchy toppings and a honey dijon mustard dressing. If you like kale salad, you have to check this recipe out!
I love produce. Fruits and vegetables are main staples for me. Growing up, my mother fed us lots of fruit and all different kinds of vegetables and I wholeheartedly believe this is why I love vegetables so much.
I’m a firm believer that if you have a well stocked pantry (with just some basics) and well stocked refrigerator, you will always be able to whip up dinner. This is why I keep my pantry and fridge stocked and full. There’s nothing worse than looking around your kitchen and into an empty refrigerator wondering what you can make.
The only thing that could be worse is looking into a refrigerator and seeing produce that’s not fresh and has gone bad. I’ll admit I had this problem with my old refrigerator. My fridge couldn’t keep up with all of the fresh produce I was storing. It was an old fridge so once I figured out that my fridge wasn’t the best, I simply had to go grocery shopping every few days or so. Even some of the tricks I tried, like keeping my fresh herbs in glasses of water with a little plastic baggy over them and in the refrigerator didn’t help.
What finally worked? For me, getting a new refrigerator.
If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, or thinking about one for later, click over to The Kitchenthusiast to learn more about KitchenAid’s 36″ Stainless Steel French Door refrigerator and what makes this one so special and why I love it so much.
And while you’re there, you need to grab this recipe for my Crunchy Kale Salad!!! This salad is so easy to make and delicious!!!! And be sure to massage your kale! I hope you enjoy!
Crunchy Kale Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1 heaping tablespoon shallots finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Freshly cracked pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil plus extra as needed
For the salad:
- 2 bunches kale (I like lacinato kale), stems fully removed and sliced thin or shredded
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 3/4 cup red cabbage finely shredded
- 1 Gala or Honeycrisp apple unpeeled and chopped
- Dried cranberries
- Sliced almonds
Instructions
For the dressing:
- Using a small bowl or mason jar with lid, combine the shallots, vinegar, Dijon mustard and honey. Whisk together or close Mason jar with lid (seal tightly) and shake well. Add salt and pepper and shake again.
- Slowly whisk in the olive oil, a little at a time, until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust any ingredients as needed. Set aside.
For the salad:
- Place the shredded kale into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle a little kosher salt over top. Squeeze the kale, massaging it for about 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in the shredded red cabbage and the chopped apples and mix together once more.
- Top with the dried cranberries and sliced almonds and mix again. Lightly drizzle the mustard shallot dressing over the top, toss, and serve.
To get the recipe and full instructions for this salad, please visit The Kitchenthusiast.
Disclosure: This is a paid, sponsored post in partnership with KitchenAid USA. All opinions stated here are 100% my own.
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says
September 19, 2016 at 3:04 amThat fridge looks sooo cool and organized! I luckily have a relatively new one with loads of space, yet it’s always full haha. I agree with you, I always have to have loads of ingredients to cook with!
I’m loving that crispy looking salad, I’ve never added cranberries but I’m guessing I’ll have to next time.
Mir says
September 19, 2016 at 5:26 amI would love a new fridge. The one we bought a few years ago has turned out to be quite a dud, and it breaks a lot. Plus yep, can’t see my produce. I wind up wasting more than I’d like to. Sad!
I love kale so much, so I’m sold on this salad. Sounds perfect for a low-key dinner!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
September 19, 2016 at 6:26 amI love your thinking, Alice! A well stocked fridge with lots of produce is definitely the key for me, too. And I’d love to whip up this salad for lunch! Such a tasty idea, and I love that dressing on here!
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
September 19, 2016 at 8:08 amThat fridge is my DREAM! Also, after a weekend full of brunch and cocktails, this is my savior salad!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
September 19, 2016 at 8:33 amI love all kinds of veggies too! And I love it even more when our fridge and pantry is well stocked! This salad looks absolutely perfect. I love the apple that you have in there too for the contrasting sweetness to the savoury kale and that dressing with Dijon and white wine vinegar? YUM!
Your fridge looks gorgeous! So much space!! We had an old fridge a few years ago that we were going to get rid of when we bought our new fridge, but ended up keeping it and it is just wonderful to have that extra storage space, especially after trips to Costco or during the holidays 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
September 19, 2016 at 9:43 amWhoa, I LOVE your fridge, Alice – TONS of space! You totally have that beauty stocked with all the yummy veggies! And I completely agree with you, a well stocked fridge and pantry helps ensure meal time will never be a serious problem! Love this crunchy kale salad! So pretty! And that dressing sounds delish!! Cheers, friend!
P.S. Congrats on finishing your bike ride!! 35 miles?! DAAAAANG girl! Get it!!
marcie says
September 19, 2016 at 11:01 amI love to have a stocked fridge full of produce with a specific plan on how to use it so it doesn’t go bad! I live for kale salads and have plenty popping up in my garden. This is going to happen soon!
Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com says
September 19, 2016 at 11:03 amnothing more depressing than a sparse frig or empty crisper drawer. i could climb right into yours and camp out with all that good stuff. and i’m fully on the kale bandwagon and love apples and tangy dressing mixed in. perfect for the fall!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
September 19, 2016 at 11:27 amI just adore kale salads. I much prefer using kale to any other greens, as I find that the dressing clings to the kale so much better. Nothing better than a fully stocked fridge.
Kelly says
September 19, 2016 at 1:40 pmI love keeping my fridge stocked full of fresh fruit and veggies and it’s the worst when I can’t use them up before they go bad. Yay for getting a better fridge that helps them last longer 🙂 Kale salads are my favorite and this one looks perfect for lunch or dinner!
Ashley - The Recipe Rebel says
September 19, 2016 at 7:18 pmOh man. A seriously gorgeous fridge! I wish mine was that clean right now! Lol. This is the perfect way to use up all that kale in my garden!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
September 19, 2016 at 7:50 pmLOVE the ingredients in this salad– and love that refrigerator! I need one with bigger doors like that 🙂 We remodeled our kitchen a few years ago and didn’t replace it at that time– and now the space isn’t big enough for one like that.
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
September 20, 2016 at 6:45 amOh man, serious fridge envy over here! Your new fridge is SO gorgeous and spacious, Alice! And this kale salad is making me feel hungry for lunch ALREADY. Love the sound of that honey dijon dressing too!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
September 20, 2016 at 3:42 pmYour fridge looks gorgeous, I love seeing all those healthy beautiful veggies living inside too! This kale salad is definitely going to be added to our menu soon!
Manali@CookWithManali says
September 21, 2016 at 10:36 amI love the addition of apples here, adds such a nice crunch. and your fridge is so clean!!
mira says
September 21, 2016 at 10:35 pmLove everything inside this fridge and it looks so organized! This salad looks perfect! Pinning to try it!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
September 23, 2016 at 6:23 amEach week I plan my meals so I’m always sure to have healthy options on hand – that includes lots of fresh produce! I can’t wait to try this delicious salad!