Better Than Chic Fil A Kale Crunch Salad
If you love Chic-Fil-A’s Kale Crunch Salad as much as we do, you’ll fall in love with this homemade version! Made with tender kale, crisp cabbage, toasted almonds, and a zesty vinaigrette. This copycat kale crunch salad is the perfect side dish, meal prep, or lunch because it’s so fresh and delicious.
While you are here be sure to check out this amazing Fruit Salad and this Wedge Salad recipe as well!
Kale Crunch Salad
You will absolutely fall in love with this kale salad at first bite! It is quick and easy to make, literally under 20 minutes. It is also healthy, and way cheaper than Chic-Fil-A kale crunch salad.
Make it a complete meal by adding your favorite protein, like chicken, shrimp, or fish. So make a BIG batch, and eat on it all week as your side dish, or meal prep option.
Ingredients for kale salad
- Kale: you can buy the pre-cut bagged kale, or loose leaf kale. Just be sure to remove the stems.
- Cabbage: the angel hair cole slaw works perfectly, or finely shred a head of cabbage.
- Almonds: slivered almonds or sliced almonds are best. Toast them for some extra flavor and crunch.
- Dressing: make a homemade vinegarette dressing using simple ingredients like apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup, and seasoning.
- Seasoning: add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a dash of garlic powder for more flavor.
How to Make It
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Making this copycat chic-fil-a Kale Crunch Salad is super simple and only takes a little bit of prep. Here is how you make it:
Add your vinaigrette ingredients to a bowl and mix well and set aside.
Now thinly slice or shred your cabbage.
Add your kale and cabbage to a large bowl.
Pour the vinaigrette over the cabbage and kale.
Add the sliced almonds into the bowl.
Mix everything until it is fully combined and coated in the dressing.
Pro Tip
Add your kale to the large bowl and drizzle in about 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Use your hands to gently massage the kale for about one minute. This will help tenderize the kale a bit, while adding more flavor!
THIS IS A GREAT MEAL PREP OPTION TOO!
Storage
Be sure to make the salad in a large bowl that has a lid, or that you can cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
Once you make it, close it tightly and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour prior to serving. You can store it in the fridge for up to a week.
FAQ
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! This kale salad actually gets better as it marinates in the dressing. You can add the almonds just before serving.
What’s the better for the sweetner, honey or maple syrup?
Both are great, but the maple syrup adds more depth of flavor, but honey is a classic sweet touch.
Can I use bagged kale or bagged coleslaw cabbage?
Of course, just be sure to remove any stems from the kale and massage it for the tenderness.
Ingredients
Kale Salad:
- 4 cups Kale cleaned and chopped (stems removed)
- 2 cups Shredded green cabbage or coleslaw mix
- ½ cup Sliced or slivered almonds toasted (toasting optional but recommended)
- Optional Pinch of salt and olive oil massage kale salad for tenderness
Vinaigrette dressing:
- ¼ cup Apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoon Maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ⅓ cup Olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Vinaigrette
- Add the apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey, garlic powder, and olive oil to a small bowl or jar. Mix well until everything is fully combined. Add salt and pepper to your taste.
Kale Salad
- Toast your almonds in a skillet over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown. Be sure to stir them constantly so they don't burn. Set them aside to cool off. This step is optional but recommended for optimal flavor.
- Add your kale to a large bowl and drizzle it with lemon juice or olive oil and a pinch of salt (1 teaspoon or less). Use your hands to gently massage the kale for 1-2 minutes.
- Now add the shredded cabbage to the bowl and pour the vinaigrette dressing over the top.
- Use tongs to toss the salad around so that it mixes well with the dressing. Sprinkle the almonds over the top and mix until combined.
- Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. And enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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After you try this Kale Crunch Salad recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
We’re obsessed with this salad. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
You’re very welcome!
My niece made the Kale salad for thanksgiving and it was very delicious, I liked it better than Chic-fil-a because you can portion control what you put in the salad.
Yes! I’m so happy to hear that. We enjoy the homemade version a lot more too!