Loaded with crunchy celery, sweet and tangy apples, rich nutty walnuts, salty feta, earthy quinoa, and tender massaged kale, this Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad is packed with textures and flavors that will satisfy. Perfect for lunch or meal prep, this healthy kale salad will help power you through your day.
Last weekend, Steve and I took a short trip with a couple of good friends to Missouri wine country. We spent the weekend sipping wine at the wineries, soaking up the last of the summer sun at the pool, sitting by the fire, relaxing in the hot tub, and eating ALL of the delicious foods. In fact, we capped off the trip with a stop at the Hermann Wurst Haus where we bought a ton of brats to bring home for a Labor Day BBQ with my parents (and to stock the freezer with some extras!). It was a great weekend, but after all of the indulgences, I was definitely ready for something super healthy to get me back on track for the week ahead when we got home. This Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad was just what I needed!
I love a big healthy salad for lunch. A healthy kale salad like this is the perfect thing to fill you up and fuel you through the afternoon without leaving you needing an afternoon nap. My go to salad is usually some variation of a Greek salad, like this Greek Salad with Kale and Quinoa, but I love to mix it up with different flavors sometimes.
This Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad is perfect for fall, but if we are being honest, it is loaded up with so much deliciousness, I could eat it anytime of the year. Just look at those crunchy apples and celery, toasted walnuts and salty feta.
How You Do Make Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad?
While I love all of the combinations of flavors and textures in this healthy kale salad, what really takes it over the top is the walnut maple apple cider vinaigrette. Made with apple cider vinegar, just a hint of real maple syrup, and walnut oil, even the dressing is packed with healthy ingredients. Find out more about why I love walnut oil in my Walnut and Roasted Broccoli Salad Recipe.
Other healthy ingredients that help this salad keep you full and focused include:
- Tender Kale: The secret to making kale salads delicious is massaging the kale. Just drizzle a little lemon juice or vinegar over the kale, sprinkle a little salt, and massage it between your fingers, gently squeezing until the kale darkens and becomes render.
- Sweet and Tangy Apples: The apple adds a nice crunch and sweetness that balances the earthiness of the salad. I used a gala apple, but any tangy, sweet, and crunchy apple will do. You could also substitute a small roasted beet or some halved grapes if you want to mix it up.
- Chopped Celery: Celery adds some extra crunch and bite to this Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad. Make sure to chop it finely so you don’t end up with bites that overpower.
- Crumbed Feta: No salad is complete without cheese in my book, so I tossed in a little salty crumbled feta. Goat cheese or grated parmesan would also go nicely.
- Toasted Walnuts: Toasting walnuts brings out their natural sweetness and nuttiness, complementing the sweet apples.
- Cooked Quinoa: I usually cook up a bunch of quinoa and keep it in the fridge or freezer so I can add it to salads throughout the week. In this Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad, the quinoa adds extra protein and fiber so this salad will keep you full all day.
Can I Make This Healthy Kale Salad Ahead?
This Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad is perfect for making ahead for healthy lunch, dinner, or meal prep. The kale is hearty enough to stand up without wilting even if you toss it in the dressing in advance.
If you cut the apples ahead, toss them in a little squeeze of lemon juice just after chopping to keep it from browning.
Looking for More Healthy Salad Recipes?
If you are looking for more healthy lunch or meal prep salad recipes, here are some of my favorites:
- Greek Salad with Kale and Quinoa
- Kale and Shredded Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
- Roasted Sweet Potato, Quinoa, and Arugula Salad with Maple Ginger Vinaigrette
- Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale, & Quinoa Power Bowl
If you make this healthy Walnut, Apple, and Kale Salad, be sure to let me know! Tag me on Instagram @namastehomecooking and share your pictures.
Walnut, Apple, and Kale Power Salad
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 3 cups kale (stems removed, and finely chopped)
- 1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- Salt
- 1 stalk celery (diced)
- 1 apple (chopped)
- 1/3 cup cooked cooled quinoa
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Walnut Maple Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- 2 tbs walnut oil
- 1 tbs apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp real maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Toast walnuts on an ungreased baking sheet at 375° for 4-5 minutes
- Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl and mix
- Add kale to a large bowl, drizzle with a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and sprinkle with a little salt. Massage kale gently between fingers until it is tender and the color has changed to a darker green.
- To kale add celery, apple, feta, toasted walnuts, and quinoa. Pour dressing over and toss to coat evenly.