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Family-Friendly Harvest Kale Salad – Easy Crowd-Pleaser Recipe

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A simple, budget-friendly kale salad with apples, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and a tangy maple-Dijon dressing. Perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, and picky eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large bunch curly kale (about 12 ounces)
  • 2 medium Honeycrisp apples (or any sweet-tart variety)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small shallot, finely minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the kale: Wash and dry thoroughly. Remove tough stems, stack leaves, roll up, and slice into thin ribbons about 1/2 inch wide.
  2. Massage the kale: Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Using clean hands, squeeze, rub, and scrunch for 2-3 minutes until leaves soften and darken.
  3. Toast the nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecans or walnuts and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and minced shallot. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified.
  5. Prep the apples: Core apples and cut into thin matchsticks or small cubes. Toss with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning if not serving immediately.
  6. Assemble the salad: Pour about half the dressing over the massaged kale and toss well. Add apples, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and crumbled feta. Drizzle with remaining dressing and toss gently.
  7. Let it rest: Allow salad to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to meld flavors.

Notes

Massaging the kale is essential for tenderness. For best texture, add nuts and apples just before serving. Leftovers keep for up to 24 hours and can be gently warmed.

Nutrition

Keywords: kale salad, harvest salad, family-friendly, potluck, easy, healthy, gluten-free, vegetarian

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/family-friendly-harvest-kale-salad-easy-crowd-pleaser-recipe/