Easy & Healthy Kale and Apple Potato Salad: Your Go-To Summer Side Dish

Get ready to elevate your side dish game with our incredibly flavorful and refreshingly unique Kale and Apple Potato Salad. This recipe is an absolute game-changer, moving beyond the traditional to bring a vibrant, wholesome twist to a beloved classic. Whether you’re planning a lively summer barbecue, a relaxed outdoor picnic, a festive potluck, or even a special holiday meal, this salad promises to be a standout. It’s not just easy to prepare – taking only about 20 minutes of active time – but its captivating blend of textures and tastes will undoubtedly have your guests asking for the recipe.

Kale and Apple Potato Salad: A Refreshing Update

With summer just around the corner, our thoughts naturally turn to outdoor gatherings, backyard barbecues, and joyous moments spent with friends and family. This season is synonymous with potlucks, and what better way to impress than with a potato salad that breaks the mold? We’re thrilled to introduce an upgraded potato salad that incorporates two fantastic ingredients: trendy, nutrient-dense kale and succulent, crisp apples.

This Kale and Apple Potato Salad isn’t just another side dish; it’s a culinary experience. The robust flavor of kale perfectly balances the natural sweetness and satisfying crunch of fresh apples, creating a symphony of taste and texture that will delight every palate. The best part? It’s remarkably quick to prep, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor payoff. You’ll be amazed at how a mere 20 minutes of your time can transform simple ingredients into a dish that’s both gourmet and incredibly comforting.

Why This Kale & Apple Potato Salad Will Be Your New Favorite

We believe that every dish tells a story, and this potato salad narrates a tale of freshness, innovation, and pure deliciousness. It’s designed not only to satisfy but also to surprise and impress. Let’s dive into what makes this particular potato salad truly special:

• A Modern Twist on a Classic: Forget the heavy, sometimes bland, traditional potato salads. Our version introduces bright, clean flavors and a refreshing lightness that will redefine your expectations.
• Nutrient-Rich Kale: Kale isn’t just a trendy ingredient; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition. Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as essential minerals and antioxidants, kale adds a beautiful earthy depth and a wonderful texture to the salad. It’s a fantastic way to boost the health factor of your meal without compromising on taste.
• Crisp, Sweet Apples: The inclusion of apples is where this recipe truly shines. Their natural sweetness and satisfying crunch provide a delightful contrast to the tender potatoes and the slightly bitter notes of kale. Apples bring a fresh, juicy element that brightens the entire salad, making each bite an exciting discovery.
• Perfectly Cooked Potatoes: The choice of potatoes is crucial for any great potato salad. We recommend using new potatoes, such as red potatoes, due to their waxy texture. This characteristic helps them retain their shape beautifully after cooking, preventing them from becoming mushy. Their tender skins also mean less prep work, as there’s no need to peel them.
• Zesty, Creamy Dressing: The dressing is the heart of any potato salad, and ours is a harmonious blend of creamy, tangy, and subtly spicy notes. Crafted with Miracle Whip Dressing, robust Dijon mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar, it coats every ingredient perfectly, tying all the flavors together in a cohesive and mouth-watering experience.

Mastering Your Potatoes for the Best Potato Salad

The secret to an outstanding potato salad often lies in the potatoes themselves. For this recipe, new potatoes are the star. Their waxy texture and lower starch content mean they hold up exceptionally well during cooking and mixing, ensuring your salad has perfectly firm, yet tender, potato chunks rather than a mashed consistency. Red potatoes are an excellent choice, as are small Yukon Golds or fingerlings.

To prepare them, simply wash and cut your red potatoes into quarters (or bite-sized pieces if they are larger). Boil or steam them until they are just tender when pierced with a fork, but not falling apart. Immediately drain and allow them to cool completely. Cooling the potatoes before mixing is a vital step, as it helps them absorb the dressing better and prevents the salad from becoming watery.

A fun fact to remember: the skins of new potatoes are incredibly tender and packed with nutrients. There’s no need to remove them before cooking or eating, saving you time and adding to the rustic charm and health benefits of your salad.

MIRACLE WHIP KALE & APPLE POTATO SALAD

This summer, commit to making a potato salad that truly stands out. Leave the ordinary, old-fashioned recipes behind and make a bold flavor statement with this MIRACLE WHIP Kale & Apple Potato Salad. It’s a fresh perspective on a classic, designed to be both unforgettable and effortless.

KALE & APPLE POTATO SALAD

How to make an easy, healthy, and incredibly delicious Kale and Apple Potato Salad.

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Refrigeration:
4 hours (minimum, for best flavor)

Total Time:
4 hours 20 minutes

Servings:
10 servings, ½ cup each

Calories (per serving):
116 kcal

Author:
Tammilee Tips

Ingredients

• ¾ cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
• 1 Tablespoon GREY POUPON Dijon Mustard
• 2 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 lb. red potatoes (cut in quarters, cooked & cooled)
• 4 cups kale (coarsely chopped)
• ½ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 apples (cored and diced – Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala work wonderfully)

Instructions

1. MIX dressing, mustard, and vinegar in a small bowl until thoroughly blended. This creates the creamy, tangy base for your salad.
2. COMBINE the remaining ingredients (cooked and cooled potatoes, chopped kale, sliced red onion, and diced apples) in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing mixture over the ingredients and mix lightly until everything is evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid breaking up the potato pieces.
3. REFRIGERATE the salad for several hours, or until thoroughly chilled. For best flavor, allow it to chill for at least 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures a refreshing temperature for serving.
4. Tip: For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle with poppy seeds or diced, crispy cooked bacon just before serving, if desired.

Essential Tool: Large Mixing Bowl

A Large Mixing Bowl is crucial for preparing this salad. We highly recommend a glass batter bowl with a handle. The handle provides excellent grip, making it easy to mix ingredients thoroughly and keeps the bowl steady on your counter, preventing spills and messes. It’s an investment that pays off for all your cooking and baking needs.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

KALE & APPLE POTATO SALAD

Amount Per Serving

Calories 116
Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 2mg1%

Sodium 195mg8%

Potassium 604mg17%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 2717IU54%

Vitamin C 42mg51%

Calcium 54mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations

This Kale and Apple Potato Salad is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide array of main courses. Its fresh, tangy profile complements rich and savory dishes, making it an ideal companion for:

• Summer Barbecues: Serve alongside grilled chicken, juicy burgers, or savory BBQ ribs. Its refreshing qualities cut through the richness of grilled meats. This recipe is a stellar side for ribs.
• Holiday Feasts: Its unique flavor profile makes it a welcome addition to holiday spreads, offering a lighter option among heavier dishes. It’s a perfect side dish for ham and also complements our collection of side dishes for Sloppy Joes.
• Everyday Dinners: A fantastic side for simple roasted chicken, baked fish, or even a hearty sandwich.

Customizing Your Potato Salad

Feel free to get creative and customize this salad to suit your taste or what you have on hand:

• Add More Veggies: Incorporate finely diced celery for extra crunch, shredded carrots for color and sweetness, or thinly sliced bell peppers for a mild, fresh kick.
• Herbal Freshness: Fresh herbs like chopped parsley, dill, or chives can add another layer of aromatic flavor. Stir them in just before serving.
• Protein Boost: For a more substantial meal, consider adding cooked and crumbled bacon, shredded grilled chicken, or chopped hard-boiled eggs.
• Nutty Notes: Beyond poppy seeds, a sprinkle of toasted pecans or sunflower seeds can introduce a delightful texture and nutty flavor.
• Touch of Spice: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing can awaken the palate.

Make-Ahead Tips and Storage

This salad is an excellent make-ahead dish, making it perfect for entertaining. Prepare it a day in advance, allowing the flavors to fully meld in the refrigerator. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For best results, give it a gentle stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Explore More Great Recipes

If you loved this modern twist on potato salad, be sure to check out some of our other fantastic recipes that are perfect for any occasion:

• Crockpot Italian Wedding Soup
• Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
• Fresh Macaroni Salad
• Watermelon Salad
• Black Bean and Corn Salad

Don’t forget to explore our epic list of vegetable side dishes for even more inspiration!

Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to check out our extensive collections, including copycat recipes, delightful dessert recipes, and our convenient CrockPot Recipes.

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Recipe originally shared on May 22, 2014. Updated December 2020 and further enhanced for SEO and clarity in [Current Year].