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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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Heat Kale Salad with Apples and Cranberries
This heat kale salad is cozy, vibrant, and loaded with fall taste. Sautéed kale is tossed with tart-sweet cranberries, crisp apples, and crunchy nuts or seeds, all coated in a maple mustard dressing. It is an ideal facet dish for vacation meals or a lightweight principal when topped with lentils or grains.
Servings:
Elements
For the maple mustard dressing:
Directions
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Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk collectively the maple syrup, Dijon, vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Put aside.

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Wilt the kale: Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the shredded kale and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring usually, till wilted and vibrant inexperienced. Stir within the dried cranberries and prepare dinner for 1 extra minute to heat them by. Take away from warmth.

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Assemble the salad: Switch the nice and cozy kale and cranberries to a big bowl. Add the chopped apple and drizzle with dressing to style (you could not want all of it). Toss effectively to mix. Season with extra salt and loads of black pepper.

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Serve: High with toasted pepitas, walnuts, or pecans. Serve heat or at room temperature.
Notes
Make-Forward Tip: Wait so as to add the apple and nuts/seeds till simply earlier than serving to keep up crunch.
Oil-Free? Swap the oil within the dressing for 1 tablespoon tahini. If the dressing is simply too thick, add a splash of water to skinny. When sautéing the kale, skip the oil and use a splash of water as a substitute.
Optionally available Add-Ins:
- Cooked farro, quinoa, or lentils for protein
- Pomegranate seeds for colour and tart crunch
- Crumbled vegan feta or goat-style cheese for tang
- Roasted delicata squash or candy potatoes for a heartier meal
Diet
Serving: 1 serving (recipe makes 4 servings) | Energy: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fats: 10g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Trans Fats: 0.003g | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 3275IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 1mg
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