Kale Salad With Apples and Cheddar Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Me

If you use a sturdier kale, take a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of the oil and massage the kale in the large bowl before adding other ingredients. You're looking to soften the kale before you mix in the other ingredients. It really works.

Anne Thompson

This is tasty but there's no way it can be made in five minutes. Just cutting up the kale takes longer than
hat. I'd estimate between 20 and 30 minutes.

Monica R.

This is a simple and delicious way to eat kale. I found the cheddar was lost in the salad and have since made it without cheese - it's just a good. Also great with a few pomegranate seeds sprinkled in.

Wisoc003

Absolute adore this recipe -- it's my favorite salad, hands down! It's so simple and so delicious! I typically dress the salad before I head to work in the morning, and by lunch the kale is perfectly tender but still fresh. I also substituted Gruyere to add a very subtle funk.

Frankie R

I feel the authors heart is in the right place with this recipe, but the execution is way off. All the ingredients work great together, but not in the given amounts. I changed it to 2 tbsp of olive oil, 3 tbsp (one whole fresh lemon ) of lemon juice, 2 oz of cheddar cheese. Five tablespoons of olive oil is just way too much and leaves your mouth feeling oily, and 1 oz of cheddar leaves people poking around wondering where the rest is.

Matthew

Massaging the lemon juice in first will cook and soften the kale (and your hands).

Austin Val

This is a DELICIOUS salad. I've made it a dozen times and never get tired of it!

Before I juice the lemon, I zest it onto the kale before juicing it. This adds to the zing of the citrus. Umm!

Ems

What a wonderful recipe - I substituted Cheddar cheese for Feta, and added walnuts and Sicilian olives. I also took advice from 'Monica R' and added pomegranate and 'Gabrielle' to up the lemon a bit. I also took advice from 'Me' to first massage kale with salt & oil - Thanks to everyones feedback the result was Delicious!!!

Jill

Speed the prep by buying a bag of shredded kale (found mine at Trader Joe's). Definitely a good base for variations. This time I substituted pumpkin seeds for almonds, due to a nut allergy, and next time, I'm going to try blue cheese instead of cheddar and add cranberries or pomegranate seeds, depending on what I have on hand.

HeidiK

This simple recipe can go so many ways! I have used pear & blue cheese for a twist....along with apple & pecans that were roasted with a bit of sea salt and cracked pepper. Simple and easy! Prepare it and go on with the rest of the dinner/lunch prep as the longer it sits the better it tastes!

Carolyn

An alternative version of this includes quinua, and feta along with the apples and kale rather than the cheddar.

lallison

Cooked, but the cheddar is a mistake. The freshness of the apples/kale is masked by the cheddar. Leave out the parmesan, too. Lemon juice is nice, but an apple cider vinegar seems more appropriate. Letting the salad sit around for a day adds to its sweetness. I would recommend a visalia onion to the garlic, but... garlic is lovely.

Sarah

Quick and easy. With chicken on top, this is a go-to for bringing lunch take to work. If you make a batch of dressing beforehand and just leave it in the fridge, it takes about five minutes to chop up a single-serve portion. I dress the salad and by the time I eat it 4 hours later, the kale is nice and flavorful. (I wouldn't do it with any other green!)

triciasnell

Great salad. I wanted to double recipe, but didn't have enough kale, so added spinach and arugula that I had on hand, all cut up as small as the kale was. It really worked. Great salad to make ahead of time if you are going to an event. I put each ingredient already cut up into separate containers and bags and it was easy to assemble once I arrived after a long drive. Definitely adding this to my pot-luck list.

Margey

Delicious. Toasted pumpkin seeds made it even better. Loved the Apple/cheddar combo.

Darcy

Easy and tasty

Heidi

Awesome recipe. I used Extra Sharp Cabot Cheese. Didn’t massage the kale. Just let it sit in the dressing for a bit. I’m definitely making again. THANK YOU NYT!

CZ

Works amazing subbing Arugula for Kale

Guy

Excellent use of my fresh grown kale. Served with brown rice and oysters wrapped in bacon.

kathy

I enjoyed the salad overall. The cheddar seems unneeded to me. Lots of possibilities for variations though.

Mary Jo

This is a nice and easy alternative to other kale salads. Massaging the kale softens it and helps it absorb the dressing. Varying the type of cheese and apples is fun too. Tried a extra sharp cheddar and a different day used a white cheese marbled with truffle.

drea

Add toasted almonds for a warm nuttiness I also use manchego instead of Parmesan

sarah in sf

This was good, simple and easy peasy but not a mind blowing experience. Next time will add pomegranate because why ever not?

Caryn

I made lots of changes but overall enjoyed the inspiration the recipe gave! Massaged the kale, grated the cheddar with a box grater, added apple cider vinegar to the dressing, added chopped craisins, and subbed chopped pecans for the almonds. Next time I may grate at least some of the apple too, to see if I like that texture more.

Meaghan L

Good but needed tweaking, more almonds, a little sherry vinegar and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard in the dressing

Jen

I added apple cider vinegar and pepitas to it and it was great.

shannon

this is a great salad for a quick lunch or busy weeknight dinner. I add a touch of maple syrup to the dressing and roasted chicken peas or chicken for protein

jil

Easy and delicious! Great flavor combo.

Linda

You can pack the washed kale tightly into the opening on top of your food processor and process using the slicing blade. This greatly reduces the prep time.

joy

- Massage kale w pinch of salt and 1 T of the oil and let rest for awhile

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Kale Salad With Apples and Cheddar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which apple goes best with cheddar cheese? ›

Gala + Cheddar: Gala apples are known for their mildly sweet, vanilla taste and crisp flesh, making the perfect pair for sharp, nutty cheddar. Galas lend a balancing note to the salt and punchiness of aged cheddars, which is why we picked Beecher's Flagsheep Cheddar to pair with our galas.

Do cheese and apples go well together? ›

Apples and cheese are the perfect (and might we add, underrated?) combination of sweet and savory. In our opinion, no charcuterie board is complete without several apples and cheese to pair together.

Should you let kale sit in dressing? ›

Some people like to use both oil and an acidic ingredient, since acid can really help break down the kale. On a similar note, if you are using a dressing with lemon juice or a vinegar, you can skip the step of massaging kale. Just let the salad sit for a half hour in the dressing to soften the kale instead.

Will kale salad get soggy? ›

No! That's the beauty of kale. You can prep this simple kale salad up to an hour before serving it and it will still be crunchy and delicious. After several hours it becomes a bit softer but never really soggy.

Do apples and cheddar cheese go together? ›

Pairing apples and cheddar is a win-win no matter which varieties you choose. With all the options out there, we thought a bit of guidance could really help those pairings pop. Every apple variety like every naturally-aged cheddar has slightly different elements of crisp, creamy, tart, and sharp.

What cheese compliments cheddar? ›

If they like cheddar, you can introduce them to something like a BellaVitano, or a slightly aged gouda.”

What should you not mix with apples? ›

For this reason, he suggests keeping apples and carrots away from each other, adding that cabbage, figs and onions can also absorb an apple's odor. “The closer and more enclosed the fresh produce is, the more chance for odors to intermix,” he adds.

What not to drink with cheese? ›

Tannic Red Wines are similar to citrus in their ability to turn cheeses bitter.

How healthy is apples and cheese? ›

A small apple and one ounce of cheddar cheese comes in at just under 200 calories. In addition, this snack is packed with protein, fiber, carbohydrate and calcium. The protein and fiber in this nutritious snack will help keep you full longer than the scone.

Can you eat raw kale as a salad? ›

Often labeled as a superfood, kale is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. This leafy green comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and textures. It's often eaten raw in salads and smoothies but can also be enjoyed steamed, sautéed, boiled, or baked.

When should you not use kale? ›

As kale contains a variety of nutrients, a person can consume it regularly as part of a balanced diet. However, some people may need to limit how much kale they consume. These include people taking beta blockers and blood thinners, as well as people with kidney disease.

Why do you massage kale salad? ›

And that's where massaging comes in. There are two main benefits of massaging kale: It breaks down the cell walls in the leaves and softens them. It makes the kale easier to chew and ultimately digest.

How long can you keep kale salad in the fridge? ›

Typical shelf life: Generally, kale can last in the fridge for about five to seven days. The key is to store it correctly to maintain its crispness and nutrients. Impact of temperature and humidity: Kale prefers a cool and slightly humid environment, so the crisper drawer in your fridge is ideal.

What fruit goes best with sharp cheddar? ›

Extra Sharp Cheddar's citrusy tang is the ideal companion for the sweet tender juiciness of pears. Top warm, spiced poached pears with grated Extra Sharp, a dollop of yogurt, pecans, and dried cranberries for a slightly savory take on dessert.

Are apples and cheddar cheese a good snack? ›

A small apple and one ounce of cheddar cheese comes in at just under 200 calories. In addition, this snack is packed with protein, fiber, carbohydrate and calcium. The protein and fiber in this nutritious snack will help keep you full longer than the scone.

What apples are good for cheese fondue? ›

If you go the savory route, we recommend a tart apple like the Granny Smith to dip in that decadent melted cheese. For a sweeter dip, like caramel or chocolate, pick an apple that is both sweet and tart, like Gala or Pink Lady.

What are good apple combinations? ›

Perfect Pairings

We know that apples make a great solo snack, but they really shine when you pair them with something salty. Apples and cheese are a match made in heaven. They pair well with Cheddar, Brie, Gouda, and so many more. They also go really well with nuts like salted peanuts, almonds, or cashews.

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