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This amazing kale crunch salad is the most satisfying and delicious kale salad that tastes just like the Chick-fil-A version. This copycat salad recipe comes together in under 10 minutes and has a yummy apple cider dressing that adds a wonderful pop of flavor!
This copycat Chick-fil-A kale crunch salad is so easy to make at home. You only need a few simple ingredients and you can whip it up in about 10 minutes!
This kale salad is made with curly kale that is massaged until soft and tender, sliced green cabbage, tart green apples, roasted almonds, and sweet dried cranberries. I finished it off with a creamy (but dairy-free) apple cider dressing that was the perfect accompaniment to this salad.
You may also love this kale quinoa salad, kale pomegranate salad, or this easy kale salad with lemon which are also fan favorites!
Does this kale crunch salad taste like the Chick-fil-A salad?
Yes, this kale crunch salad is wonderfully crunchy, with a nice tangy sweet mix of flavors that blend so well together and make this an incredibly satisfying salad. It was inspired by the kale crunch salad from Chick-fil-A that everyone loves. And for good reason. Their version is slightly simpler but still has a similar flavor and texture. With perfect notes of sweet and tart flavors, this salad will leave you wanting more and more.
It is great as a side salad or main meal topped with chicken or crispy chickpeas. The dijon vinaigrette adds so much flavor combined with the rest of the salad ingredients.
Jump to:
- Does this kale crunch salad taste like the Chick-fil-A salad?
- Why you’ll love salad recipe
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- How to make a kale crunch salad (Copycat Chick-fil-A recipe)
- Recipe Variations
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Recipe tips
- FAQs
- More easy kale salads to try!
- Kale Crunch Salad – (Copycat Chick-fil-A Recipe)
Why you’ll love salad recipe
- Versatile – we love that this salad is vegan, dairy-free, easily made nut-free, and works for any diet.
- Quick and simple to make – this crunchy kale salad has minimal ingredients so it’s easy to whip up in about 10 minutes!
- Nutritious – with two kinds of cruciferous veggies, apple and nutty almond this kale salad is bursting with healthy nutrients like A, B, C, and K vitamins as well as a healthy dose of fiber.
- Crowd-pleaser – if you are entertaining this is the perfect salad to serve since it goes with pretty much any main dish.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Kale – I used fresh curly kale that I washed, dried, and chopped into tiny pieces. You could also you dinosaur kale or even bagged kale.
- Green cabbage – a wonderful cruciferous veggie that adds a nice crunch and even more nutrition to this delightful salad. Green or purple cabbage will work!
- Green apple – I used a granny Smith apple for tart, crunch, and sweetness but any type of apple would work fine.
- Almonds – I used roasted slivered amazing almonds but any nuts will work. We also tried this recipe with pecans and walnuts.
- Dried cranberries – add a nice hint of color and sweetness but you could also use golden raisins or currents.
- Apple cider dressing – olive oil, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. Or use any dressing you like!
Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Knife and cutting board
- Salad bowl
- Salad tongs
How to make a kale crunch salad (Copycat Chick-fil-A recipe)
Step 1 – add the kale to a large mixing bowl, drizzle it with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Use clean hands to massage the kale until it is tender and soft (about 2 minutes).
Step 2 – Add the rest of the salad ingredients to the bowl with the kale, mix up the dressing, and pour the dressing over the salad.
Toss everything together, serve, and enjoy!!! We love to add more almonds and cranberries to garnish the salad and make it look even more delicious.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free – this recipe, as written is already gluten-free!
- Vegan – this kale crunch salad recipe is also vegan as long as you use maple syrup as the sweetener in the dressing.
- Protein-packed – add some shredded chicken or chopped hard-boiled eggs or crispy chickpeas for added protein to make this salad a complete meal.
- Nut-free – use pumpkin seeds in place of the almonds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make ahead – to make this kale salad ahead, assemble the salad, mix up the dressing, and store the salad and dressing separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready, dress and toss the salad and enjoy!
Storage – Store leftovers of this kale crunch salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Recipe tips
- Take a shortcut from the store and use bagged chopped kale and bagged coleslaw mix instead of chopping your own.
- Do not skip massaging the kale. This is an important step since kale can be bitter and tougher to digest. Massaging it, even for 1 minute softens it up, removing some of the bitterness and making it easier to eat and digest. Learn more tips on preparing kale here.
- Make sure to include the cranberries and apple – Kale and cabbage can be a bit bitter so do not skip adding the cranberries and apple since it balance out the flavors very well.
- Chop the kale into smaller pieces so it is easier to mix and eat.
FAQs
Is this kale crunch salad good for you?
Yes, this kale salad is loaded with nutrients and is a low-calorie, higher-fiber salad that will keep you full and satisfied.
Is it okay to eat raw kale in salad?
Any type of kale is fine to eat raw but is digested easier if you massage and dress it first.
Can you use other greens in place of the kale?
Yes, you can use spinach or mixed greens in place of the kale but it will have a slightly different taste and texture.
Check out all of my healthy salads on PMG!
More easy kale salads to try!
Did you try this kale crunch salad copycat recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!
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Kale Crunch Salad – (Copycat Chick-fil-A Recipe)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad recipe is a homemade version that you are going to love! It comes together in 10 minutes and is loaded with crunchy, tangy flavors that will leave you wanting more!
Ingredients
- 6–8 cups of shredded or thinly sliced kale
- 2 teaspoons olive oil or lemon juice
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 4 cups shredded or thinly sliced cabbage
- 1 medium granny smith apple – thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup slivered almonds
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- Dijon vinaigrette dressing
Instructions
- Add the kale to a large salad bowl, drizzle it with a little olive oil or lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands or salad tongs to lightly massage the kale in the bowl for 1-2 minutes. Let the kale rest in the bowl for 2-3 minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Add the cabbage, apple, almonds, and cranberries to the bowl with the kale.
- Mix up the dressing and pour it over the salad ( I started with ⅓ cup then added more as needed). Toss everything together, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Fresh kale is best but you can buy pre-shredded, pre-washed kale as a shortcut from the store.
- Any apples would be great in this salad. I chose Granny Smith for added color and tart flavors.
- To make this salad ahead of time, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, mix up the dressing but store the salad and dressing separately. Then dress, toss and serve when ready.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to enjoy, give it a nice toss to redistribute the dressing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Quick and healthy salads
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: American
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