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Home » Recipes » Salads
4.50 from 2 ratings

Easy Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

May 29, 2017 by Christy Gurin (updated May 2, 2025) | 5 Comments

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This easy kale salad gets tossed in the perfect zippy dressing before getting delicious add-ins thrown in like sharp cheddar, raisins, and pine nuts.

A bunch of fresh kale with striking purple stems rests on a light wooden surface

I know kale is normally a winter vegetable but can we just do one more easy kale salad before summer takes over? Thanks for humoring me. I loooove this kale salad and have been making it for months and just couldn’t wait all the way until next fall to share it with you.

It has the perfect balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and salty to hit all the right tastebuds. I just love the way the cheddar pairs with the tartness of the dressing. Its absolutely divine. Did I mention yet that its a simple, easy kale salad, that you can whip up in about 15 minutes?

Now your ears are perking up! Chopping the kale can take some time, especially if you’re new to it. I just cut out the center stem and then lay the leaves on top of each other and slice. Its a pretty efficient method. Or, I know Trader Joe’s sells pre-chopped kale in bags and most other grocery stores seem to too now a days. That will shave even more time off of the prep. Either way, this easy kale salad is worth whipping up soon.

A plate of kale salad with nuts and dried berries on a black dish, accompanied by a fork

The other thing that makes this recipe easy, is that we whisk the dressing together directly into the salad bowl.

In other salad recipes like my strawberry spinach balsamic one or  my more recent arugula sweet potato salad with tahini dressing, I use a small mason jar to shake the dressing into being mixed. That is really my favorite way to do in most cases, but with kale, it doesn’t really mater if the dressing is all at the bottom because we’re going to be massaging it in with our hands anyways.

In the picture below, I made the dressing separately but that’s mostly because I just can’t resist a good pour shot. I just love how they turn out! Having action in still photos is always a challenge so whenever it is able to be captured with food, I make it a priority.

A hand pours dressing from a small white pitcher over a bowl of leafy greens on a wooden table. A cloth napkin is nestled beside the bowl.

A white bowl of kale salad with raisins and pine nuts, topped with two wooden salad serving utensils, sits invitingly on a light wood surface.

A bowl of kale salad with pine nuts rests on the table, paired perfectly with wooden serving utensils.

A square white bowl of kale salad with nuts and seeds sits on a wooden table. Wooden salad servers rest nearby, while a black plate with a salad portion and a striped cloth add charm.

A white dish filled with kale salad, garnished with nuts and raisins, sits invitingly on a white wooden table. Wooden salad servers rest on the dish, alongside a small cup of dressing

Recipe
A plate of kale salad with nuts and raisins, accompanied by a fork. In the background, a larger bowl of the same salad and a small pitcher are visible.
Recipe
4.50 from 2 ratings
click the stars to rate!

Easy Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

Created by: Christy Gurin
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
4
This easy kale salad gets tossed in the perfect zippy dressing before getting delicious add-ins thrown in like sharp cheddar, raisins, and pine nuts.
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Ingredients
 

  • 8 cups finely sliced kale, stems removed and discarded (one large bunch)
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. fresh minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. pure maple syrup or honey
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 ounce sharp white cheddar cut into 1 1/16″ cubes (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts*

Instructions

  • Whisk vinegar, olive oil, garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Pour oil in while whisking to make sure it emulsifies in with the vinegar. 
  • Add kale and toss to coat about half hour before serving. Works best if you rub it in with your hands to make sure the dressing evenly coats the kale. Let sit to allow dressing to soften the kale.
  • When ready to serve, toss in cheddar cheese, raisins, and pine nuts. 

Notes

*To toast, heat pine nuts in a small pan over low heat, stirring regularly until they smell toasty and start to turn golden in spots. Watch them carefully – they burn quick!

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 783mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 13460IU | Vitamin C: 161.7mg | Calcium: 255mg | Iron: 2.8mg

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posted in: Appetizers, Gluten-Free, Meal Prep, No Cooking, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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    4.50 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. I read every review and your support means a lot to me!

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Ashley says

    August 30, 2020

    where do you use the maple syrup? It doesnt show in the directions

    Reply
    • Christy says

      September 20, 2020

      Whoops, looks like I had said honey there but I changed it. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  2. Geraldine Pierre says

    July 22, 2018

    4 stars
    Easy & yummy, thank you!

    Reply
    • Christy says

      July 30, 2018

      Good! Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  3. Pure Detox says

    August 28, 2017

    Apple cider vinegar is a great dressing for salads. It’s all natural and highly beneficial for the body. Make it a habit to add this to your daily meal.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Christy

I started cooking, baking, and helping in the kitchen when I was old enough to reach the counter. I am a food lover with a focus on quick and easy dinners using wholesome ingredients that are approachable for the home chef. If you crave flavor but always find yourself short on time, you’re in the right place.

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