Whisk & Shout

Bake it up, Baby

  • HOME
  • About
  • RECIPES
    • vegan
    • gluten free
    • appetizers
    • breakfast
    • lunch
    • dinner
    • dessert
    • drinks
  • Business
  • TAGS

Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic

September 5, 2015 by Medha 74 Comments

Wow, seriously, could this title be longer?

Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic | Whisk and Shout

I’ve never quite named a salad on this blog so obnoxiously, but it’s totally worth it, because every component of this salad makes it so good. 


You gotta give each ingredient its 15 minutes of fame, you know?

Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic | Whisk and Shout

This salad is a kale base- something most people dislike on principle. This includes my parents. But I’ve heard that this salad was so good, that now my dad won’t eat other kale salads, because the bar has been raised. So there’s a testimonial for ya.

Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic | Whisk and Shout

The kale is marinated in a simple balsamic dressing to soften it up and then tossed with tart green apples, acidic fennel, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts. Basically all your fall staples in a bowl.

Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic | Whisk and Shout

Now if when you make this salad, make sure your apples are awesome ones. Super crisp, juicy, and full of flavor. Like, go pick apples and make this salad, because they are the star of the dish.

Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic | Whisk and Shout

Some people call this time of year late summer, but for me it’s firmly fall. Even if my dorm with no AC is kinda killer right now. It’s fall, okay?!?! It’s September.

Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic | Whisk and Shout

But if you’re experiencing some seasonal confusion, this salad is totally the perfect in between: light enough for an end of summer meal, but still celebrating the produce of fall. Enjoy! xx

5.0 from 5 reviews
Save Print
Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic
Author: Whisk & Shout
Recipe type: Lunch, Dinner, Side, Appetizer
Prep time:  15 mins
Total time:  15 mins
Serves: 2-4
 
This kale salad combines acidic apples, balsamic vinegar, and fennel with sweet cranberries and mellow walnuts for a healthy and flavorful fall meal!
Ingredients
Salad
  • 4 cups chopped kale, rinsed thoroughly
  • ½ cup shaved fennel bulb
  • 1 green apple, sliced
  • ½ cup walnut halves or pieces
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
Balsamic Dressing
  • juice of one large lemon
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ to ⅓ cup olive oil
Instructions
  1. Using a large knife, chop your kale into even smaller pieces and place into a large bowl with fennel.
  2. Combine all dressing ingredients together and pour over kale and fennel.
  3. Using your hands or a fork, massage kale salad and set aside for 5-10 minutes while you prep your other ingredients.
  4. Add apple, walnuts, and cranberries and toss gently.
  5. Transfer salad to serving bowl; you will have some balsamic dressing in the original bowl, do not transfer this.
  6. Serve!
3.3.3077

 

Share this post on...

Filed Under: 30 Minutes or Less, Appetizers, Autumn Recipes, Dinner, Gluten Free, Holiday, Lunch, Minimal Ingredients, Raw, Salad, Thanksgiving, Vegan

« One-Bowl Pumpkin Pecan Chip Cookie Bars {Vegan}
5-Ingredient Mini Vanilla Almond Butter Cookies {Vegan +GF!} »

Comments

  1. Nadia's Healthy Kitchen says

    September 6, 2015 at 6:52 am

    Looks so delicious and light Medha, perfect for a sunny day like today 🙂

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 6, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks, Nadia!

      Reply
  2. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says

    September 6, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    Haha! But at least the title explains exactly what this salad is all about. I love this! I have never tried fennel, but I guess it’s not too late 🙂

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 6, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks, Cathleen! It’s delicious 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sues says

    September 7, 2015 at 12:56 am

    I both hate and love when every component of a dish is SO important that it has to go in the title. I can totally see what you mean with this one!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 8:10 am

      Thanks, Sues!

      Reply
  4. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    September 7, 2015 at 6:31 am

    Kale and apple go so well together, don’t they. I love that you have added cranberries to this too.

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 8:10 am

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  5. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    September 7, 2015 at 7:24 am

    Medha, haha yes! gotta give each ingredient its 15 minutes of fame!!! and so happy your parents are kale converts now! it’s all about massaging that kale, yo! love this salad!!!! beautiful!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 8:10 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    September 7, 2015 at 7:41 am

    Lovelovelove that you added the apples and fennel to this salad!! I ALWAYS forget about fennel, and it’s such a tasty little addition to so many things. I’m thinking this is gonna have to be lunch today!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 8:11 am

      Fennel just adds brightness! Let me know if you do try it!

      Reply
  7. Joanne says

    September 7, 2015 at 9:01 am

    You don’t have to convince me on the awesomeness of this! I am ALL about kale salad love…especially when these fabulous fall flavors are involved!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says

    September 7, 2015 at 10:48 am

    The only time I have really had kale was in drinks (I failed at using it as food before), so I am excited to try this recipe and fall in love with eating kale – definitely need to pin this!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      LMK if you try it and thanks for the pin!

      Reply
  9. Julia says

    September 7, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I’m experiencing allll the seasonal confusion. On the one hand, I want pumpkin everything, but on the other hand, I still crave uuuuuge fresh salads. Love this autumn salad! Those cranberries and walnuts are perfection!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Right?! Thanks!

      Reply
  10. Danielle says

    September 7, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    Sometimes it’s hard to narrow down a recipe name, but there’s nothing wrong with this one! This salad looks so delicious and perfect for fall too.

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Thanks, Danielle!

      Reply
  11. Mir says

    September 7, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    Are you doing the photography from your dorm now? How are you doing that?! It looks great!
    This salad’s long title is totally worthy of its fabulousness. Love the apples!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Nope! All the posts were queued up over the summer 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
  12. Cailee says

    September 7, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    Well doesn’t this look lovely?! This is the perf late summer salad!! I just love it! Light and refreshing… but still adding some ‘fall foods’ (i.e. walnuts and apples) into the mix! Great recipe girl! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Erin@WellPlated says

    September 7, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    Long name or no, I wouldn’t leave a single one of these ingredients out. They are just too perfect together!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Totally 🙂

      Reply
  14. Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says

    September 7, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Ah fruity and fresh – looks lovely! I’ve always wondered what to do with kale – problem solved!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Thanks, Jessica!

      Reply
  15. mira says

    September 7, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Love this salad and love the name! So good! Can’t wait to try it! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 11:07 pm

      Thanks for pinning!

      Reply
  16. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

    September 7, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    Ohhh I love a good kale salad and this one looks perfect for fall!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 11:08 pm

      Thanks, Sarah!

      Reply
  17. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    September 7, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    This salad is gorgeous! I am so excited about all the fall flavors!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 11:09 pm

      Thanks, Ashley!

      Reply
  18. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    September 7, 2015 at 10:18 pm

    apple is awesome with walnuts! love this salad Medha 🙂

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 7, 2015 at 11:13 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  19. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

    September 8, 2015 at 9:10 am

    Haha I always have trouble with post names too 🙂 So happy you included everything, this salad has everything I love!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:38 am

      Thanks, Kelly!

      Reply
  20. Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says

    September 8, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    This salad looks delicious, Medha! Love the the mix of autumn flavour! Really like the idea of tossing the kale in balsamic! Sounds great! 😀

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 8, 2015 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks, Jess!

      Reply
  21. GiGi Eats says

    September 8, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    Well this is certainly and easy and tasty way to get the KALE into your diet! 😉

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Right?! Thanks!

      Reply
  22. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    September 8, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    Ha ha that’s how I name my recipes…long but every ingredient gets its glory 😉 Looks delicious, loving all of those flavors in there!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  23. Mike@TheIronYou says

    September 8, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    Healthy, light, and delicious this is my kind of salad. Great job M!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Thanks, Mike!

      Reply
  24. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says

    September 8, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    What a great fall salad. I love the combination of flavors. 🙂

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  25. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    September 8, 2015 at 9:49 pm

    I love autumn salads! This one looks amazing. Love the fruits and nuts. 🙂

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:52 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  26. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    September 8, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    I LOVE simple salads like this! All these flavors are perfect together!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 9, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks, Mariah!

      Reply
  27. Monica says

    September 9, 2015 at 9:05 am

    This looks lovely! I’ve come to really enjoy tart apples in my salad and the walnuts round this out wonderfully.

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 9, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  28. Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says

    September 9, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    Love all the textures here, I always add walnuts to my salad, so filling and also I love the soft crunchy.

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 9, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      So much protein 🙂

      Reply
  29. Amanda says

    September 9, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    I love all the flavors in this salad. And I like how you use kale. Kale needs more love. 😀 You have me craving salad, which is pretty much a miracle.

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 9, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Kale is the best- and yay!

      Reply
  30. Beth says

    September 9, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    A kale salad sounds soo good right now!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 10, 2015 at 3:54 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  31. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says

    September 10, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    What a gorgeous salad and great idea!! This would be perfect for my lunch today! 😉

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 10, 2015 at 3:54 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  32. Ashley says

    September 10, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    haha sometimes you just gotta go for the long recipe title!! And this salad looks fantastic – so many great colors too!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 11, 2015 at 10:23 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  33. Marcie says

    September 11, 2015 at 12:14 am

    It is fall in September! It just doesn’t seem like summer anymore despite the heat. This salad deserves its long title because all of those ingredients are a major part of it — and I love everything in here! Kale salads are my fave. 😃

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 11, 2015 at 10:23 am

      Thanks, Marcie!

      Reply
  34. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says

    September 11, 2015 at 7:19 am

    This kale salad is everything!!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 11, 2015 at 10:23 am

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  35. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    September 11, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    Hahaha! I’m totally THAT girl that names her salad something long and obnoxious! #Oops. But I hear you, sometimes you just CAN’T leave out each element… like it just feels so wrong! 🙂 Anyways, this salad looks fantastic! I love kale and apples together, but this salad takes that love to a whole new yum! Cheers to a fabulous weekend!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 11, 2015 at 3:58 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  36. annie@ciaochowbambina.com says

    September 11, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I can think of nothing better than having all my fall staples in one bowl! This is awesome, Medha!!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 12, 2015 at 12:16 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  37. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

    September 11, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    Love the title – it perfectly describes this amazing dish! I was actually thinking this would be great as a salad on our Thanksgiving table. Hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Medha says

      September 12, 2015 at 12:16 pm

      You, too! Thanks!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

search

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE EMAILS WHEN I UPDATE!

Enter your email address:

x


logo
Food Advertisements by

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Child Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress