This Massaged Kale Salad with Apples, Feta, and Pecans is crisp, candy, and tangy — a easy and wholesome aspect dish that even youngsters will love! Tossed in a maple Dijon French dressing and filled with fall taste.
Why We Love This Wonderful Massaged Kale Salad
In the event you’ve ever thought your youngsters wouldn’t eat kale — this salad would possibly simply change your thoughts. Massaging the kale makes it tender, gentle, and simpler to eat, whereas crisp apples, creamy feta, and crunchy pecans add sweetness, saltiness, and texture in each chunk.
There’s an entire lot to like right here:
- Crunchy, creamy, and completely balanced
- Full of fiber, nutritional vitamins, and wholesome fat
- Child-approved and simple to customise
- Nice for make-ahead lunches or dinner sides
This Massaged Kale Salad with Apples, Feta & Pecans is contemporary, colourful, and stuffed with feel-good substances. The straightforward maple Dijon French dressing ties every thing along with the proper stability of tangy and candy. It’s a wholesome aspect dish that matches nearly any meal — from weeknight dinners to vacation spreads.
And one of the best half? It holds up superbly, so you possibly can prep it forward for busy days or pack it in lunchboxes for a refreshing, nutrient-packed lunch.

Ingredient Line-Up:
For the Salad:
- Kale
- Apples
- Feta Cheese
- Pecans
For the Dressing:
- Olive Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dijon Mustard
- Maple Syrup
- Recent Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper

Ideas for Success:
- Therapeutic massage it proper: You’ll know the kale is prepared when it seems darker, softer, and barely shiny.
- Add the apples final: In the event you’re prepping forward, toss within the apples simply earlier than serving so that they keep crisp.
- Toast the pecans: Toasting enhances their taste — bake at 350°F for five–7 minutes till aromatic.
- Child tip: Let youngsters assist “therapeutic massage” the kale! It’s a enjoyable, sensory step that helps them get enthusiastic about consuming greens.
Recommendations & Variations:
- Add protein: Prime with grilled rooster or chickpeas to make it a full meal.
- Dairy-free: Swap feta for avocado or your favourite plant-based cheese.
- Extra fruit: Add dried cranberries, sliced grapes, or pomegranate seeds for further coloration and sweetness.
- Dressing increase: A sprinkle of garlic powder or a splash of balsamic vinegar provides further depth.

Storage:
- Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. The kale holds up higher than most greens, so it’s good for meal prep.
- If prepping forward, hold the dressing and apples separate till able to serve.

In search of Extra Household-Pleasant Salad Recipes?
This Massaged Kale Salad is proof that wholesome meals may be each easy and scrumptious. With its mixture of crisp apples, creamy feta, and crunchy pecans, each chunk is filled with taste and texture — and the sweet-tangy dressing simply ties all of it collectively. It’s an effective way to introduce youngsters to kale in a enjoyable, approachable means– particularly once they get to assist therapeutic massage the greens themselves. Whether or not you serve it alongside dinner, pack it for lunch, or deliver it to a household gathering, this salad provides a burst of freshness and coloration to any desk. It’s healthful, hearty, and made to be shared — the sort of dish that makes wholesome consuming really feel simple!
Massaged Kale Salad with Apples, Feta and Pecans
This Massaged Kale Salad with Apples, Feta, and Pecans is crisp, candy, and tangy — a easy and wholesome aspect dish that even youngsters will love! Tossed in a maple Dijon French dressing and filled with fall taste.
Servings: 6
- 1 bunch kale about 6 cups, stems eliminated and leaves chopped
- 1 giant apple, thinly sliced honeycrisp or fuji are finest right here
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans roughly chopped
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Put together the kale: Wash, dry, and take away powerful stems from the kale. Chop or tear into bite-sized items and place in a big bowl.
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Therapeutic massage the kale: Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt over the kale. Utilizing clear arms, gently rub and squeeze the leaves for 1–2 minutes, till the kale turns darker inexperienced and barely softer.
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Make the dressing: In a small jar or bowl, whisk collectively olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, salt, and pepper till clean and emulsified.
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Assemble the salad: Add the apples, feta, and pecans to the massaged kale. Pour the dressing excessive and toss to mix.
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Serve & take pleasure in: Serve instantly or let sit for 10–quarter-hour to permit flavors to meld.
