Warm Kale Salad with Apples

This Heat Kale Salad with Apples and Cranberries is the coziest method 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 really crave kale.

For me, that is the type of salad that makes fall meals really feel full. It is the proper fall facet dish once you wish to get in your greens in a method that truly tastes wonderful: hearty, balanced, and stuffed with taste. Pair it with pumpkin dishes, roasted potatoes, or perhaps a soft dinner roll for sopping up the additional dressing. I really like that it really works simply as properly 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 comfortable: 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 final 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.

Substances for Heat Kale Salad

For the salad:

Kale: The star of the present. Any type of kale will work properly right here.
Olive oil: for sautéing, use water or broth for oil-free model.
Apple: Honeycrisp or Gala add the proper 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: Shiny and tangy.
Garlic powder, salt & pepper – Easy seasoning that ties all of it collectively.
Olive oil: Or tahini for a creamy, oil-free spin.

Ideas 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 Chicken would additionally pair properly with this heat kale salad.
Add vegan cheese: I feel Vegan Feta or vegan goat cheese would each work properly with the flavors on this salad.
Veg it up: Attempt including roasted winter squash (like butternut or delicata) or roasted candy potatoes.
Attempt 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

Maintain leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Take pleasure in 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 case you do that heat kale salad recipe, tell us by leaving a remark, ranking it, and remember to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram. It’s also possible to pin this recipe on Pinterest to put it aside for later!
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.