This kale and apple slaw is a delicious side dish for any meal. It’s got a cravable crunchy texture and is filled with nutritious ingredients including kale, green apples, cabbage, carrots, and almonds. It’s tossed in the most delicious creamy tahini apple cider dressing that everyone will love!

white bowl filled with kale slaw salad, surrounded by a few ingredients and a white napkin with a fork and knife

As a Registered Dietitian, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that I love kale. I’ve got plenty of nutritious recipes with kale here on the blog, and I even have a comprehensive guide on how to prepare kale.

This kale apple slaw is definitely a new favorite kale salad recipe of mine! It has the best crunchy texture and it’s super easy to make. Kale slaw salad can be prepared in advance since kale doesn’t get soggy like other greens, making it a great option for meal prepping.

You can easily make the recipe vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.

Step-by-step video

kale apple slaw ingredients measured out on a light grey backdrop

How to make kale apple slaw

  1. First, toast the almonds in the oven for about five minutes. Don’t skip this step! It brings out better flavor and a crunchier, more desirable texture in the almonds.
  2. Finely chop the kale, thinly slice the red cabbage, and cut the apple into thin matchsticks. Add them to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Peel and julienne the carrot using a julienne peeler, or cut it into thin matchsticks. Add it to the bowl with the other vegetables.
  4. Roughly chop the toasted almonds. Add them to the mixing bowl.
  5. Combine all the dressing ingredients together in a small jar, like a mason jar: olive oil, tahini, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced shallot, salt, and pepper. Close the jar and shake it up until everything is well combined.
  6. Pour the dressing over the slaw ingredients and use salad spoons to thoroughly toss everything up. Add a shake of salt and pepper to taste.
Finely chop the kale
Finely chop the purple cabbage
Cut apple into matchsticks

hands using a julienne peeler to julienne a carrot on wooden cutting board
Julienne the carrots with a peeler or knife
hands chopping up almonds on a wooden cutting board
Chop toasted almonds
small jar of creamy tahini apple cider salad dressing
Prepare the tahini apple cider dressing

Do I need to massage kale for this recipe?

Since the kale is finely chopped, there is no need to massage the kale for this recipe! The chopping action breaks it down enough to a suitable texture for eating it raw.

close up of kale slaw with apples before being mixed together
bowl of kale apple slaw on a light grey backdrop

Let me know if you love this post by leaving a comment or star rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
white bowl filled with kale slaw salad, surrounded by a few ingredients and a white napkin with a fork and knife

20-Minute Crunchy Kale Slaw with Apples

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Alex Aldeborgh
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: serves 6–8 as a side 1x
  • Category: salads
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

Description

This kale and apple slaw is a delicious side dish for any meal. It’s got a cravable crunchy texture and is filled with nutritious ingredients including kale, green apples, cabbage, carrots, and almonds. It’s tossed in the most delicious creamy tahini apple cider dressing that everyone will love!

Ingredients

Scale

Kale and Apple Slaw

  • 1/2 cup toasted almonds
  • 4 packed cups curly kale, chopped finely
  • 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, cut into matchsticks

Tahini Apple Cider Dressing

  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp shallot, minced
  • 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
Instacart Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spread out the almonds on a metal baking sheet.
  3. Toast the almonds in the oven for 4-6 minutes – they will be done when they are fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  4. Add the chopped kale, cabbage, carrots, and apples to a large salad bowl.
  5. Once the almonds are cool enough to handle, roughly chop them up.
  6. Add the almonds to the salad bowl.
  7. Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small jar. Close the jar and shake it up well to combine all the ingredients.
  8. Pour the salad dressing over the salad. Use salad spoons to toss everything together so the salad is coated in the dressing.

Notes

How long does kale slaw last?

This kale slaw will stay good for 2-3 days after it is prepared! This makes it a great salad option for meal prepping.

Store leftover kale slaw in an airtight container in your fridge. You may notice the apples beginning to brown as they sit, but they are still perfectly fine to eat.

Nutrition Disclaimer

As a Registered Dietitian, I create nutritionally-balanced recipes using whole food ingredients to promote good health and well-being.  Additionally, I am a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. My nutrition philosophy encompasses an all-foods-fit approach, and I do not promote tracking calories, macronutrients, or other numbers. Nevertheless, I understand that this information can be educational and helpful for some people.

I cannot guarantee complete accuracy of the nutrition information provided here, as these numbers are estimates. Nutrition is individualized. If you have specific nutrition needs, please consult your physician or a Registered Dietitian. 

more kale salad recipes

Warm Kale Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash

Fall Kale Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Apples

Kale Salad with Creamy Goddess Dressing (Vegan, Gluten Free)