Honey Mustard Kale Salad

This Honey Mustard Kale Salad is going to be your new favorite kale salad recipe. It has the best creamy, tangy honey mustard dressing and the kale is so it’s tender and not bitter. Then you add sweet apples, salty feta cheese, dried cranberries, lemon zest and candied pecans for the perfect finish.

The Best Honey Mustard Kale Salad Recipe

I feel like kale salads are more popular than ever and I’m here for it. Personally my kale caesar with a side of crispy fries is a perfect meal but I know not everyone is a kale lover. I think a big reason for that is because raw kale in a salad takes just a little bit of work to make sure it’s truly delicious. Either it needs to be chopped finely or massaged properly before it really reaches its peak. That’s the key to eliminating any bitterness and making sure it’s perfect in your salad.

Thankfully this honey mustard kale salad has kale that’s properly massaged, a creamy and absolutely delicious dressing, and the best toppings like candied pecans, tart apples, salty feta, and a little lemon juice for good measure. It’s my ideal salad (especially in the fall!!) and perfect for a weeknight dinner or your holiday table.  

I promise, if you’re a kale hater, you won’t be after this recipe!

Can You Eat Kale Raw in a Salad? 

We’ve kind of gone over this but just in case you needed more reassurance – the answer is an absolute YES. For the best results, remove any tough stems (that middle stalk of the kale can go) and be sure to massage the kale thoroughly. Massaging helps to break down the tough fibers, eliminates any bitterness, and just makes the kale taste better.

Recipe Ingredients

Honey Mustard Dressing: my creamy homemade honey mustard salad dressing makes this salad!! Trust me, you’re going to want to make it from scratch and it’ll only take 10 minutes. Of course, if you’re really short on time you can use your favorite store-bought honey mustard vinaigrette but trust me…mine is better!

Kale: this recipe calls for 8 cups of Lacinato and/or Tuscan kale. You could of course use curly kale as well if that’s what you have access to!

Lemon Zest: fresh lemon zest is such a delicious addition to this salad and I think it really takes things to the next level. The lemon flavor combined with the honey mustard dressing and all the other elements adds a little extra something that just brings it all together!

Apple: I prefer to use a Pink Lady apple, but any sweet apple you like best will taste great. 

Feta Cheese: creamy feta adds a salty, tangy bite. You could also sub goat cheese here.

Dried Cranberries: these add a just a bit more of that sweet yet tart flavor.

Candied Pecans: last, but certainly not least, these add a bit of crunch and even more sweetness. I feel like candied pecans just make everything better,

Ingredient Substitutions 

• Kale – if you prefer the taste or texture of curly kale, feel free to swap it for the Lacinato and Tuscan kale in this recipe. You could also use spinach or mixed greens if you prefer!
• Cheese – you could swap the feta with goat cheese or sharp white cheddar. I haven’t tried it but I also think a bit of shaved parmesan could work if you like!
• Dried Cranberries – you could swap these for golden raisins instead or another dried fruit that is sweet yet tart.  
• Candied Pecans – if you can’t find candied pecans, chopped candied almonds would work! You could also use pumpkin seeds or regular sliced almonds or walnuts.

Helpful Kitchen Tools 

• Blender
• Mixing Bowl 
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Tongs

How to Make This Kale Salad Recipe

Step One: Add all the salad dressing ingredients to a blender, and blend until well combined and creamy. Set the dressing aside. 

Step Two: Add the chopped kale to a large mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, and pour ¼ cup of the dressing on top. Use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale. Then, let the kale rest for at least 30 minutes. 

Step Three: Next, add the lemon zest, sliced apple, feta cheese, cranberries, and candied pecans. Gently toss to combine. 

Step Four: Add more dressing, salt, and pepper to taste, and enjoy! 

Serving Suggestions 

I love to transform this kale apple salad into a complete meal by topping it with chicken breast or shrimp for a boost of protein. Add a side of crusty bread and you can’t go wrong! 

You could also serve this salad as a side dish with a variety of main courses. Some of my favorite options include: 

• Creamy Braised Short Ribs
• Simple Pan Seared Salmon 
• The Best Whole Roasted Chicken
• French Onion Chicken

How to Store

Store leftover salad dressing in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Then, transfer any leftover kale salad to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. Unlike other salad recipes, it will still taste great the next day as the salad soaks into the greens! 

More Delicious Salad Recipes

• Kale Caesar Salad
• Fall Harvest Salad
• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Looking for more? Read this post for more delicious salad recipes! 

I hope you give this Honey Mustard Kale Salad recipe a try! It’s delicious, nutritious, and quick to make! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.

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Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Eat Love Eat

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