Kale Slaw with Apples

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This kale slaw with apples is so good! This kale salad has tons of crunch and the most amazing flavour. Make it in just minutes with apples, slivered almonds, kale, and a sweet and tangy homemade dressing. This is going to become your new favourite salad.

Pieces of red apple, carrots, slivered almonds, and fresh kale in a wooden mixing bowl with dressing.

Why you will love this recipe:

This crunchy kale apple salad is packed with flavour and perfectly dressed! The combination of sweet apples, crunchy almonds and tart kale all blend perfectly.
It is really easy to make and is ready in less than 15 minutes.
This kale slaw is made with no cabbage, giving it such a unique flavour.
The mayonnaise based dressing is so creamy and delicious with the perfect sweet and tangy flavour.
I love how versatile this slaw recipe is. You can change the apples, switch the nuts, or even modify the homemade coleslaw dressing recipe to give it a unique flavour.
It stores really well in the fridge so it's perfect for meal prep!
This salad is healthy and is naturally gluten free and dairy free and can easily be made vegan, and paleo too.
This kale coleslaw is simple enough for weeknights but delicious enough to serve for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter.

If you love delicious salads you will also love this easy Asian cucumber salad recipe.

Key ingredients and substitutions:

Kale — You can't find a healthier crunch than fresh kale! It is high in vitamins A, K, C, B1, B2, B3, and B6 plus manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium. Even the small amount of fat in kale is healthy omega-3 fatty acids. If you think it's too bitter, be sure to rinse the leaves a few minutes before chopping. This breaks down the fibers and makes the flavor less intense. Also be sure to massage the kale as this helps make it less bitter.
Slivered Almonds — To add a bit of crunch and even more flavour to this salad. Feel free to use other nuts like pecans or walnuts, too.
Carrots — I love the natural sweetness of carrots. It's like adding candy to a salad! Plus they are full of healthy vitamins and minerals.
Red Apples — You can use your favourite kinds of apples in this kale slaw from Honeycrisp to Pink Lady. If you want a little extra tang, throw in a Granny Smith apple!
Mayonnaise — Nothing makes a creamier homemade salad dressing than mayo! You can use any type of mayo that you like, but I personally prefer using my homemade mayonnaise that takes less than a minute to make!
Apple Cider Vinegar — I love the healthy benefits of apple cider vinegar and the yummy flavour that it adds to the salad dressing.
Dijon Mustard — This adds the bit of spice this kale slaw recipe needs!
Paprika — I use a little paprika plus salt and pepper in this easy dressing to give the dressing the most amazing taste.

How to make this recipe:

Step one:

First, rip or cut the kale into pieces, give it a massage, then rinse it and dry it. Once dry, add it to a large salad bowl along with the shredded carrots, cut apples and slivered almonds.

Ripped kale, sliced apples, shredded carrots and slivered almonds in a wooden salad bowl.

Step two:

In a small bowl or glass measuring cup mix together the dressing ingredients until smooth.

A creamy salad dressing in a glass measuring cup.

Step three:

Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well until everything is coated.

Creamy salad dressing being poured over a salad with kale, apples, carrots and almonds in it.

Step four:

Serve and enjoy!

Tips and variations:

To make this a vegan kale salad: use a vegan mayonnaise and maple syrup to make the dressing.
To make it paleo: use a paleo compliant mayonnaise.
If you like a sweeter dressing, add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
You can use any type of red apple for this recipe. My personal favourites are Gala apples, Pink Lady apples, and Ambrosia apples.
Feel free to add other nuts such as pecans or walnuts.
Turn this into a kale slaw with cranberries by adding some fresh cranberries.
To make it a complete meal, add some grilled chicken, beef, pork, or tofu!

How to store:

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

What to serve with this salad:

A creamy dressing being poured over a wooden mixing bowl full of kale, almonds, carrots, and apples.

Frequently asked questions:

How many carbs are in kale slaw?

A serving of this dressed kale and apple slaw has about 26g of carbohydrates per serving. It's not meant for low-carb or keto diets.

Can I prepare this kale salad ahead of time?

Absolutely. To do so, assemble the salad and make the dressing, but store them separately until you are ready to serve. When you want to serve, add the dressing and toss the slaw until everything is evenly coated.

How do you make kale taste less bitter?

Massage it! If you massage and cut your kale before rinsing it it will become softer and will taste less bitter. They key is to massage and cut kale before rinsing it rather than after rinsing.

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