5.0 from 15 votes
Kale Apple Salad with Bacon and Cheddar
This flavorful Kale Apple Salad features tender massaged kale, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a fresh lemon dressing!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 347 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped curly kale
- 1/8-1/4 tsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- pinch of salt
- 3-4 lices Bacon (see notes for vegetarian options)
- ¼ cup sliced almonds (toasted, roasted, or regular)
- 2-3 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 medium honeycrisp apple (fuji is another tasty option!)
FRESH LEMON DRESSING
- 2 TBSP avocado oil
- 2 TBSP fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1-2 TBSP pure maple syrup to sweeten dressing to taste
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- 1 small clove garlic , peeled and minced
Instructions
- To transform curly kale leaves into silky, tender salad greens, let's massage our kale! After washing and drying, start by removing the leaves from the stem. Finely chop the leaves and measure out 4 cups of kale. Add to a large bowl with 1/8-1/4 tsp oil and a teeny tiny pinch of salt. Massage oil into leaves until tender and vibrant green.
- Next whisk togehter dressing ingredients. Sample and adjust salt/pepper/maple syrup to taste if needed. Set aside.
- Cook bacon until via preferred method until crispy or grab your favorite vegetarian alternative. I like to coarsely chop mine then saute in a frying pan until nice and crisp, then allow it to try between paper towels while I prep the salad. If cooking in strips, crumble once cooled.
- Next coarsely chop your sliced almonds (or leave whole for more texture), cube cheese into small fork-friendly bites (approx. 1/2 inch cubes), and finely dice apple.
- Add almonds, cheese, and apple to the kale. Whisk dressing once more before adding to salad. Toss to coat and top with bacon. Enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe yields 4 side salads or 2 large meal-sized salads.
- To make it vegetarian simply replace bacon with plant-based bacon bits, smokey tempeh bacon, or your favorite alternative. Juicy dried cranberries can also be added in place of bacon.
- I'm also a big fan of adding candied walnuts or pecans for a savory sweet vibe.
- Nutrition Facts below are estimated for both salad and dressing using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on any extras/swaps and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Calories
347kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
20g
(7%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Cholesterol
26mg
(9%)
Sodium
297mg
(12%)
Potassium
540mg
(15%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
6860IU
(137%)
Vitamin C
86mg
(96%)
Calcium
250mg
(25%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 347
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 347kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 297mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 540mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 6860IU | 137% |
| Vitamin C | 86mg | 96% |
| Calcium | 250mg | 25% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.