Kale Waldorf Salad with Sweet and Creamy Dressing
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This kale waldorf salad is not your average salad. It’s full of kale, grapes, walnuts, celery, apple, and cranberries all tossed together in a creamy yogurt dressing. It’s quick and easy to make, plus it’s colorful and filling.
One of the things I love most about kale Waldorf salad is how flexible it is — you can easily use what you already have on hand. It comes together quickly, with most of the time just spent letting the kale soften, and the hearty ingredients mean leftovers keep beautifully for lunch the next day.
I build mine with kale, crisp celery, juicy grapes, sweet apples, crunchy walnuts, and chewy cranberries, then toss everything in a sweet and creamy dressing that brings it all together. It’s fresh, satisfying, and the kind of salad that somehow tastes even better after it’s had a little time to sit.
Waldorf salad variations to try
There are so many kale waldorf salad variations to try. Here are a few delicious ideas:
- Chopped pear or asian pear for a delicious crunch in place of apples.
- Instead of green grapes, try red or concord grapes.
- Celery adds a nice crunch, but you could also use jicama or radish.
- Try switching up the nuts with roasted chopped almonds, pecans, or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Instead of cranberries, experiment with other dried fruit like raisins, cherries, apricots, or blueberries.
- Any variety of kale would work well. In the pictures we use curly kale, but you could also try red kale or lacinato for similar taste and texture.
Prep and store
How long does this kale Waldorf salad keep? Once it’s dressed, this salad will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. But if you are serving it to company, it’s best served shortly after it’s tossed with the dressing.
Can I make it in advance? Yes! If you want to get a head start on the salad, chop the ingredients (except the apple) and make the dressing, but store them separately in the fridge. Right before serving, mix it all together for optimal freshness.
Kale Waldorf Salad Recipe
Ingredients
The Dressing
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- A pinch of sea salt
The Kale Waldorf Salad
- 3 cups curly kale (packed)
- 1 cup grapes (halved)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (toasted)
- 2 stalks celery (sliced)
- 1 crisp apple (diced)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Mix all the dressing ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.¾ cup Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon dijon mustard, A pinch of sea salt
- Place all the salad ingredients into a large bowl.3 cups curly kale, 1 cup grapes, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 2 stalks celery, 1 crisp apple, ½ cup dried cranberries
- Pour the dressing over the top then toss well to make sure all the pieces of kale are well coated. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes so the kale softens and the flavors blend together.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Other popular kale salad recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of my salad recipes!
Seriously love this! So sweet and creamy that it didn’t even seem like I was eating salad. Will make it again for sure!
Kristen, this is such a beautiful salad! Very reminiscent of ambrosia, actually. But with all those delicious “tidbits” you’ve added, I’ll never miss the marshmallows
Thank you!!
What?? Oh girl, you need to change that asap!! 🙂