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Kale salad recipe in a clear bowl with wooden spoons.
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4.91 from 10 votes

Kale Salad with Cranberries Recipe

Plain old salads get a refreshing update in this Chopped Kale Salad with Cranberries. The unique flavor combination of fresh oranges, cranberries, goat cheese, and pecans with crisp kale create a delightful dish you can enjoy year round.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale finely chopped
  • ½ cup toasted pecans coarsely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup cranberries dried
  • ¼ cup sweet onion finely chopped
  • 2 oz. goat cheese optional

Maple Orange Vinaigrette

Instructions

  • Toast Pecans: Preheat oven to 400℉. Place coarsely chopped pecans on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast in oven for 4-5 minutes, or until fragrant.*
    ½ cup toasted pecans
  • Make the Dressing: Combine all maple orange vinaigrette ingredients in a 16-oz. mason jar and shake for 1-2 minutes, or until well combined. You can also make it in a mini food processor or high-speed blender.
    1 Tbsp. orange juice, 1 Tbsp. orange zest, 1 Tbsp. maple syrup, ¼ cup olive oil, ⅛ tsp. salt, 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • Assemble the Salad: Before serving combine the kale and maple-orange vinaigrette. Toss to completely coat the kale with the salad dressing and let sit for 10-20 minutes to soften the kale.
    Just before serving top with toasted pecans, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, onions, and goat cheese in a large serving bowl and toss to combine. 
    1 bunch kale, 2 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup cranberries, 2 oz. goat cheese, ¼ cup sweet onion

Notes

Prep-Ahead Instructions:
Chop your kale up to 24 hours in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. Make the maple orange vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator and pop it in the processor or blender for a minute before using. Toast the pecans up to a few days in advance. Store them in a Ziplock bag at room temperature. 
Storage Directions:
Keep all the parts of this salad separate or everything will get soggy.
Recipe Tips:
  • Meal prep. It's easy to make the parts of this salad early, just wait until serving to throw it together.
  • DIY. Make your own dressing and toast your pecans to save time and money.
  • Pay attention. Grab cranberries with less added sugar for a healthier option.
  • Serve it up. This delicious kale salad is perfect for a holiday dinner or date night, but you can enjoy it anytime.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1055IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg