Saturday, December 20, 2025
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Heat Kale Salad with Apples


This Heat Kale Salad with Apples and Cranberries is the coziest option to eat your greens! Tender sautéed kale will get tossed with juicy apples, candy dried cranberries, crunchy pepitas, and a maple mustard dressing that is completely candy and tangy. It is fast, vibrant, and so good you may truly crave kale.

Salad in bowl with text overlay that reads warm kale salad.

For me, that is the type of salad that makes fall meals really feel full. It is the right fall facet dish if you wish to get in your greens in a approach that really tastes wonderful: hearty, balanced, and filled with taste. Pair it with pumpkin dishes, roasted potatoes, or perhaps a comfortable dinner roll for sopping up the additional dressing. I like that it really works simply as effectively for a simple weeknight dinner because it does as a show-stealing vacation salad in your Thanksgiving desk.

Closeup of warm kale salad with apples, cranberries, and pepitas.

Why This Heat Kale Salad Belongs on Your Fall Menu

  • Heat and comfy: Cooking kale softens its texture and mellows the bitterness, so even kale skeptics love this recipe.
  • Filled with fall taste: Candy apples, tart cranberries, toasty pepitas, and maple mustard dressing = the last word autumn combo.
  • Vacation-worthy however straightforward sufficient for weeknights: Solely quarter-hour from begin to end!
Ingredients for warm kale salad with apples and cranberries.

Elements for Heat Kale Salad

For the salad:

  • Kale: The star of the present. Any type of kale will work effectively right here.
  • Olive oil: for sautéing, use water or broth for oil-free model.
  • Apple: Honeycrisp or Gala add the right sweet-tart crunch.
  • Dried cranberries: Chewy, tangy, and jewel-like.
  • Toasted pepitas: Or swap for pecans or walnuts.

For the dressing:

  • Maple syrup: For that wealthy, cozy sweetness.
  • Dijon mustard: Zippy taste that balances the maple.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Vibrant and tangy.
  • Garlic powder, salt & pepper – Easy seasoning that ties all of it collectively.
  • Olive oil: Or tahini for a creamy, oil-free spin.

Suggestions and Variations

  • Make it forward: Prep the kale and dressing upfront; add apple and nuts simply earlier than serving.
  • Make it a meal: Add cooked farro, quinoa, or lentils for protein. Vegan Hen would additionally pair effectively with this heat kale salad.
  • Add vegan cheese: I feel Vegan Feta or vegan goat cheese would each work effectively with the flavors on this salad.
  • Veg it up: Strive including roasted winter squash (like butternut or delicata) or roasted candy potatoes.
  • Strive pomegranate seeds: Swap the dried cranberries for recent pomegranate seeds for a juicy burst of tart-sweet taste and a pop of colour.
Warm kale salad on platter and in bowl.

What to Serve With Heat Kale Salad

Methods to Retailer Leftovers

Preserve leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Get pleasure from it at room temperature (my fave), warmed in a skillet, or chilly straight out of the fridge.

Bowl of warm kale salad with apples, cranberries, and pepitas.

In the event you do this heat kale salad recipe, tell us by leaving a remark, score it, and remember to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram. You can even pin this recipe on Pinterest to put it aside for later! 
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.

Extra Vibrant Vegan Salads

Salad in bowl with text overlay that reads warm kale salad.
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