What are the ingredients in kale salad?

My kale salad has kale leaves, feta, cucumber, tomatoes, toasted walnuts, date syrup, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dried cranberries (or raisins if you’d prefer), and just a hint of salt. It’s utterly simple, and simply divine!

Can you eat raw kale as a salad?

Yes, you can eat raw kale, though make sure you wash it well. Even if it has been pre-washed, rinse and dry it well.

What's in Chick-fil-A's kale salad?

The kale salad from Chick-Fil-A contains kale, green cabbage, and roasted almonds that are toasted in a dressing made with apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard. It’s a very popular item on their menu, though dare I say that my kale salad is better? I did, and I’m proud!

How do you get the bitterness out of kale salad?

If you looked at my recipe instructions and thought I was nuts talking about massaging the kale leaves, there is a reason for it. Taking that step reduces bitterness, and if you’ve found kale too bitter before, give this a try and you will change your mind!

What's in the kale crunch side?

That kale crunch side salad is filled with kale, roasted almonds, and green cabbage with a vinaigrette dressing of Dijon and apple cider vinegar. Mine has feta and toasted walnuts for a more well-rounded blend of flavors.

Can apple cider vinegar be used for salad dressing?

You can use apple cider vinegar for salad dressing, but I don’t recommend just using this singular ingredient. Take a look at how I make this salad happen below with apple cider vinegar and a few more ingredients.

Easy + Loaded Kale Feta Salad Recipe With Walnuts

Name: Easy + Loaded Kale Feta Salad Recipe With Walnuts
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 cups raw kale leaves (pre-cut); 1/3 cup Feta cheese; 1/2 cup English Cucumber (sliced); 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes; 1/4 cup toasted walnuts; 2 tsp date syrup; 1 TBS olive oil; 2 tsp apple cider vinegar; 1/4 dried cranberries or raisins; Dash of Salt; 1 TBS Homemade Chipotle Salad Dressing (or Hidden Valley Chipotle Salad Dressing)

Description

This is the only easy kale salad you need! This recipe is packed with crunchy kale leaves, feta cheese, walnuts, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light fragrant date-apple cider dressing. If you love kale, then you will enjoy this healthy salad, but if you are skeptical about kale, then this will change your mind. Though this is a vegetarian salad, you can still add meat or fish of your choice to make it more filling.

Ingredients

Scale

5 cups raw kale leaves (pre-cut)
1/3 cup Feta cheese
1/2 cup English Cucumber (sliced)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup toasted walnuts
2 tsp date syrup
1 TBS olive oil
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 dried cranberries or raisins
Dash of Salt

Additional/Optional salad dressing

1 TBS Homemade Chipotle Salad Dressing (or Hidden Valley Chipotle Salad Dressing) one size-medium wp-image-14428" src="https://nkechiajaeroh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Easy-Kale-Feta-Salad-Recipe-Ingredients-300x300.jpg" alt="This is the only easy kale salad you need! This recipe is packed with crunchy kale leaves, feta cheese, walnuts, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light fragrant date-apple cider dressing. If you love kale, then you will enjoy this healthy salad, but if you are skeptical about kale, then this will change your mind. Though this is a vegetarian salad, you can still add meat or fish of your choice to make it more filling. " width="300" height="300" srcset="https://nkechiajaeroh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Easy-Kale-Feta-Salad-Recipe-Ingredients-300x300.jpg 300w, https://nkechiajaeroh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Easy-Kale-Feta-Salad-Recipe-Ingredients-150x150.jpg 150w, https://nkechiajaeroh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Easy-Kale-Feta-Salad-Recipe-Ingredients-768x768.jpg 768w, https://nkechiajaeroh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Easy-Kale-Feta-Salad-Recipe-Ingredients-120x120.jpg 120w, https://nkechiajaeroh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Easy-Kale-Feta-Salad-Recipe-Ingredients-96x96.jpg 96w, https://nkechiajaeroh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Easy-Kale-Feta-Salad-Recipe-Ingredients.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

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Instructions

Gather. Gather all the ingredients together and make life easier.
Prep. Prep your veggies by washing them. Then slice your cucumber. With the kale, you can sort it to remove the stems if it’s precut, otherwise, pull the leaves off the stems from the whole kale leaves.
Add Flavor. Sprinkle the kale leaves with small amounts of olive oil, salt, and apple cider vinegar. Then, while wearing gloves or using clean hands, gently massage the kale. Your kale leaves will feel a bit wilted after this. Then, follow up with the date syrup and massage it into the kale leaves too. Add the cherry tomatoes, cranberries, or raisins, and 1-2 tablespoons of chipotle salad dressing, if desired. Use tongs and toss together. Finally, taste and adjust as needed.
Plate/serve and enjoy! Place the kale salad into a big bowl or serving plate, then add the sliced cucumbers, feta cheese, and finish with toasted walnuts. Serve by itself or add meat/fish of choice for a complete meal!

Notes

This salad doesn’t require any salad dressing, which is why I put it as optional. If my kids are having some, then I make sure to have dressing handy.

Why massage the kale? It really helps the leaves wilt a bit and gives them a better flavor.

Rinse your pre-washed kale anyway, and let your salad spinner help you remove as much moisture as possible from any kale that you use.

Feel free to add some pepper, too, if you like.