For more creamy crunchy salads, also try our kale waldorf salad, creamy cucumber salad, and celery salad. This salad really is all about the savory-sweet dressing. It’s a delicious mix of tahini, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, miso, and garlic all whisked together until creamy. With fresh sliced apples in the salad and maple syrup in the dressing, it’s a salad that feels a bit like fall. It’s perfect for fall dinner parties, or even on the Thanksgiving table. Unlike other leafy salads, kale salad leftovers actually taste great the next day. Make it for dinner, eat it the next day for lunch. We call that a win! Here’s everything you’ll need for the creamy tahini dressing:
Tahini – tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and is a staple in Middle-Eastern cuisine. It’s the base of this creamy nutty dressing. Apple cider vinegar – to add brightness and a bit of acidity. You could also use fresh lemon juice if you prefer. Maple syrup – the sweet, rich taste of maple balances out the other flavors. Miso – miso is a Japanese fermented paste made from soybeans. This unlikely ingredient adds lots of savory flavor to this dressing, and creaminess, too. Garlic – just one small clove, for a bit of garlicky taste and subtle kick. Cayenne – optional, for a bit of heat. Hot water – this dressing is quite thick without water, so it helps to thin things out.
Here’s what you’ll need for the kale salad:
Kale – we use curly green kale for this recipe, but you can use other varieties like lacinato (or black kale), red kale, or baby kale. Slivered almonds – the texture of slivered almonds is a nice addition to this salad but you can use chopped almonds, or sub for walnuts or pumpkin seeds if you prefer. Alfalfa sprouts – these add a nice crunch and nutritional boost. Toasted sesame seeds – for a bit of crunch and visual pop. Red apple – we like the sweet taste and bright red color of a red apple, but any apple will do.
This creamy kale salad with tahini dressing is a delicious way to get your greens. It’s a substantial salad so it’s perfect as a light lunch with some roasted chickpeas. Or serve it alongside protein mains to complete your meal.
Healthy main meals that pair well with kale tahini salad
Lemon Garlic Chicken Chocolate Quinoa Chili Curried Sweet Potato Frittata
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