Salads & Slaw

Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apples, Walnuts, Raisins

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Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing - Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule
Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing – Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule
Jump to Recipe
  • Easy 
  • Servings: 6 
  • Ready In: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 9-10 cups

Sweet, nutty, and tangy, this vegan, gluten-free salad hits it all.  The ingredients in the salad work double-duty as the ingredients for the oil-free dressing.  Walnuts provide healthy fats.  Apples and raisins add natural sweetness, and Dijon adds a tangy kick.  This will win over any veggie skeptic. 

Serve with Butternut Squash Bisque, Mushroom Lentil Loaves, or Farro Vegetable Soup for a satisfying dinner.

Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing - Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule
Walnuts and Apples work double-duty in the salad and dressing for this healthy, plant-based, oil-free, vegan Kale Waldorf recipe

Oil-Free Dijon Waldorf Dressing

What’s the secret to the oil-free Dijon Waldorf dressing in this recipe? Instead of using oil to create a rich, creamy dressing, whole food, plant-based ingredients like walnuts, raisins, and apples are pureed together. The walnuts create rich flavor. This balances with the sweetness from the raisins and apples. Dijon mustard and Champagne vinegar add a bright pop.

Once you have this oil-free dressing technique mastered, you can apply it to other variations. Swap out the walnuts for other nuts like pecans, almond, or hazelnuts. Replace the raisins with dried cherries, mango, or golden raisins. And, any vinegar will suffice in lieu of the Champagne.

One of my other favorite combinations is a Pecan-Cherry-Balsamic Dressing. I use this on shaved brussels and baby kale. Or, my Fig-Walnut Balsamic is great over rainbow carrots and baby arugula.

Experiment with your own combinations and have fun. You’ll love the delicious flavors from these whole food, plant-based combinations!

Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing - Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule
Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing – Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule

Chef Katie’s Plant-Based Cooking Tips:

Apple Varieties: Choose any sweet, crisp apples for this salad.  Or, try it with pears!  

Kale Varieties: Kale comes in lots of varieties, including green curly, dark Tuscan, and purple. Even the dark Tuscan kale has similar varieties like Dino and Nero. The original Italian version of this recipe calls for dark Tuscan kale, but you can use whatever variety you like.

Good Quality Balsamic Vinegar: A good-quality Balsamic balances sweetness and tang. Typically, balsamic that is aged longer is milder and sweeter. For help choosing a good balsamic, check the acidity level on the bottle (opt for less acidity). Or, some brand rate their options with leaves, stars, or other guides.

  • Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing - Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule
    Efficient Work: Set up two bowls, one for the salad and one for the dressing. Prep for both at the same time for more efficient work.
  • Champagne Vinegar: This clear vinegar provides a light, mild flavor and is not as harsh as other acids like white wine vinegar or lemon juice. You can use it in other recipes calling for these ingredients.
    Champagne Vinegar: This clear vinegar provides a light, mild flavor and is not as harsh as other acids like white wine vinegar or lemon juice. You can use it in other recipes calling for these ingredients.
  • Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing - Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule
    Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing – Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule

Watch this Healthy Cooking Video to Learn More:

Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing - Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Winter Salad Recipe from Plants-Rule
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Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing

Sweet, nutty, and tangy, this vegan, gluten-free salad hits it all. The ingredients in the salad work double-duty as the ingredients for the oil-free dressing. Walnuts provide healthy fats. Apples and raisins add natural sweetness, and Dijon adds a tangy kick. This will win over any veggie skeptic. Serve with Butternut Squash Bisque, Mushroom Lentil Loaves, or Farro Vegetable Soup for a satisfying dinner.
Course Salad
Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Oil-Free, Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword Christmas, classic, grain-free, greens, healthy, Holidays, kale, low-carb, oil-free, plant-based, traditional, wfpb, whole foods diet, winter
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 134kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 2 sweet crisp apples (like Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp)
  • 3 stalks celery thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
  • 1 bunch lacinato kale

Instructions

  • To soften the raisins and toast the walnuts: Soak raisins in about 1/4 cup warm water, to soften. Toast walnuts in a 375 degree oven, 10-13 minutes, until golden and aromatic. Remove and let cool.
  • To make Lacinato Kale Waldorf Salad with Apple, Walnut, Dijon Dressing: Strip kale from stems and thinly slice.
  • Place half of the celery, apples, walnuts, and raisins in one bowl with the kale. This is your salad.
  • Place the other half in another bowl, along with the raisin soaking liquid, and mustard. This will become your dressing.
  • Place dressing ingredients in a blender with a couple tablespoons of water. Puree. Dressing should be a pourable, creamy consistency. Add water as needed to reach this consistency. Taste for salt and pepper.
  • Add dressing to salad ingredients. Use your hands to mix well.
  • Serve and enjoy. Gets even better after a day.

 

 

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving (about 1/6 recipe, 1 – 1 1/2 cups)

Calories 134.17
Calories From Fat (44%) 59.35
% Daily Value

  • Total Fat 7.1g 11%
  • Saturated Fat 0.68g 3%
  • Cholesterol 0mg 0%
  • Sodium 99.8mg 4%
  • Potassium 440.89mg 13%
  • Total Carbohydrates 17.27g 6%
  • Fiber 2.04g 8%
  • Sugar 0.62g
  • Protein 4.13g 8%
  • Calcium 59.99mg 6%
  • Iron 89.04mg 495%
  • Vitamin A IU
  • Vitamin C 0mg 0%

 

Shopping and Gear List

  • Made in Nature Organic Dried Sultana Raisins, 64 oz – Non-GMO Vegan Dried Fruit Snack
  • FISHER Chef’s Naturals Chopped Walnuts, No Preservatives, Non-GMO, 10 oz
  • Walnut Champagne Vinegar – 1 bottle – 6.75 fl oz

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