Kale Crunch Salad

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This Kale Crunch Salad is a delicious way to enjoy a vitamin-packed superfood! Mix the homemade vinaigrette dressing quickly, toss the simple salad ingredients together, and top it off with crunchy roasted almonds for a Chick-fil-A copycat salad they’ll love!

overhead view showing half the bowl full of homemade Kale Crunch Salad.

Now, I know kale isn’t everyone’s favorite green– It can be challenging to work with and bitter in flavor. But if Chick-fil-A can make it as popular as they have, so can you! Here’s the thing: when done right, kale is an incredible addition to any recipe.

I am not one to harp on a recipe’s nutritional value, but a kale salad is healthy! Why not eat a salad that is good for immune support, blood benefits, bone health, and more?

What you’ll love about this recipe:

QUICK-15 mintues to make!
SIMPLE-Pure, natural, good for you ingredients with so much flavor.
ANYTIME- Enjoy your favorite Chick-fil-A salad whenever you’d like– Even on Sundays!

Key Ingredients

Ingredients to make Chick-Fil-A copycat Kale Crunch Salad

Olive Oil– It’s important to choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for a delicious salad dressing.
Vinegar– For extra health benefits and authentic flavor, use organic apple cider vinegar.
Mustard– Bring tangy notes to the dressing with Dijon mustard.
Syrup– Sweeten the vinaigrette with maple syrup, the real thing here, 100% pure.
Garlic– Add subtle spice and a depth of flavor with fresh pressed garlic.
Kale– It’s key to use the leaves of the kale without the stems. Check your local grocery store to see if they have pre-chopped kale, making the recipe even easier!
Cabbage– For a variation in texture and flavor, toss the kale with thinly sliced green cabbage.
Almonds– Add a satisfying crunch with roasted almonds- Grab a bag of ‘roasted and salted’ almonds from the store or toast them yourself!

This scrumptious and refreshing Dressing is tasty all year long! Enjoy it over the holidays to enjoy a much-needed break from all the heavy and rich festive holiday dishes or cool off after a day under the hot summer sun!

How to Make the Chick-Fil-A Kale Crunch Salad

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

Collage of 4 photos showing the steps to make Kale Crunch Salad at home.

Make the dressing. Add oil, vinegar, mustard, syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper to a mason jar. Then, seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until the ingredients are well combined.
Add the chopped kale and cabbage to a large bowl, tossing to combine.
Pour the freshly made dressing on the greens and massage the kale for a couple of minutes until it softens.
Sprinkle the roasted almonds on the salad, toss once more, serve, and enjoy!

A white bowl filled with Kale Crunch Salad, garnished with roasted almonds.

Expert Tips

If you don’t have a jar for dressing, add the ingredients to a bowl and use a whisk to combine.
Use your hands to massage the kale, releasing the flavor and softening the leaves for a more tender texture and less bitter flavor.
If you have the time, hold the almonds and chill the salad for about 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld. Right before serving, toss the salad with the roasted almonds, then enjoy!

Variations for Kale Salad

This simple salad is easy to adjust to your liking!

More Toppings– Add more flavor with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chopped red onions, green apple slices, bell peppers, or shredded Brussels sprouts.
Add Cheese– Grated parmesan, crumbled feta, or shredded provolone are delicious additions to the kale salad.
Protein– Grilled chicken, blackened salmon, bacon bits, and sirloin steak strips are excellent choices for protein.
Change the Sweetener– If preferred, use honey instead of maple syrup.
Cabbage Alternative– Use red cabbage instead of shredded green cabbage, or enjoy a mix of the two!
More Nuts– Try walnuts, pistachios, or pecans if you’re not a fan of almonds.

Kale Crunch Salad in a serving bowl and two plates beside it with salad on each plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kale Crunch Salad at Chick-fil-A healthy?

The Kale Crunch Salad is considered a healthier option, with nutritious kale and cabbage loaded with vitamins and fiber. Our homemade dressing is healthy as we are using healthy fats and pure ingredients.

What kale is best for salads?

Curly kale is typically used for salads and other recipes featuring kale. Other variations, like lacinato, red, and baby kale, can be used interchangeably, but the texture and taste differ slightly.

How do you prepare kale for a salad?

Start by thoroughly washing the kale leaves to remove impurities. Next, remove the leaves from the stem and chop the kale into smaller pieces. Before serving the salad, it’s essential to massage the kale with the dressing, making the leaves softer and incorporating the dressing flavor into the kale.

Storing

Kale salad is best enjoyed freshly made or after chilling in the fridge for about half an hour. If you have leftover salad, add it to an airtight container to store in the refrigerator for a few days. To make the salad last longer, keep the dressing apart from the salad ingredients.

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