Kale and Apple Salad with Walnut Oil Vinaigrette
If you like salads year round, it’s time to give this fall version a try! Kale and apple base with raisins, carrots, walnuts and walnut oil dressing. The dressing is blended with fresh apple cider for a little [natural] sweetness and Dijon mustard for extra yum. Walnut oil gives a bright, nutty flavor and pairs well with the sweet salad additions. This recipe makes enough salad for 3 entrees or 5 side dishes. Vinaigrette recipe is used to taste. Salad and dressing are both vegan.
Jump to RecipeThis post is sponsored by Octonuts. All ideas and opinions are my own.
If you’ve never used walnut oil before– you’re missing out! Walnut oil is unique and delicious– adding rich flavor to foods like cooked pastas, {vegetarian} meats, and more. Walnut oil can be used for cooking and baking (I think it would amazing in brownies) but I would not use it for frying since it has a lower smoke point. It’s versatile as a topping for soups and roasted veggies, but it shines as a dressing ingredient!
To Make Walnut Oil Vinaigrette, Combine:
- 1/3 c Octonuts walnut oil
- 1/4 c apple cider or fresh pressed apple juice
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- Salt + pepper
- 1 tsp brown sugar- optional
By “combine” I mean emulsify 🙂 I use an immersion blender for about 10 seconds– long enough to thicken the vinaigrette and get everything to stick together but not too long (to keep from making it into homemade mayo).
Whisking by hand is possible, too, or shaking vigorously in a jar always works. Dressing will be stable for a day or so but may need to be re-shaken before serving again.
What You Need for a Delicious Kale + Apple Salad:
- Chopped Kale (about 9 cups or 1 large bunch or 10 ounces pre-cut)
- I prefer buying it by the bunch and chopping at home but either way, it will need to massaged to loosen up the leaves and take out some of the bitterness.
- A large apple- I love adding fruit to salads and right now, local apples are still super fresh. Choose your favorite variety or try a firm, sweet apple like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Braeburn or Red Delicious.
- 1/3 cup each: Raisins and Carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- Dressing to taste. This salad is good for up to 2 days dressed.
Kale and Apple Salad with Walnut Oil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Walnut Oil Vinaigrette
- 1/3 c Octonuts Walnut Oil
- 1/4 c apple cider or fresh apple juice
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp brown sugar optional
Kale and Apple Salad
- 10 ounces kale, chopped ~1 large bunch
- 1 large apple, chopped ~ 2 cups
- 1/3 c shredded carrots
- 1/3 c raisins
- 1/4 c walnuts
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine vinaigrette ingredients. Use an immersion blender or a whisk to emulsify. Set aside.
- Remove stems from kale and chop into 1/2 inch pieces. Add kale to a large serving bowl and massage 2-3 minutes, until tender. Stir in apples, carrots, raisins, and walnuts.
- Dress salad in the desired amount of vinaigrette and serve.
- Leftover prepared salad can be stored covered and refrigerated for 2 days. Vinaigrette can be kept refrigerated for one week. Stir dressing before use.
Notes
Nutrition
Somehow, it’s the end of October and we’re right in the middle of fall– but there are still so many things to enjoy this season! Definitely add this Kale and Apple Salad with Homemade Walnut Oil Vinaigrette to your “to try” list 🙂 Happy Halloween, everyone! Whether you make an apple salad or caramel apples– I hope you have a great weekend and get to enjoy the sunshine!
-Emma
Absolutely Delicious! And Healthy! Will be making this again and again.
Thank you so much for the feedback, Francesca! We love this in the fall with in-season apples!