With all the sweets and heavier recipes this season I’m right here to convey you one thing tremendous contemporary and bursting with a mixture of candy, tangy and salty flavors. AKA a scrumptious taste explosion you gained’t have the ability to get sufficient of.

Kale salad recipes, in my view, get a foul rap, however this brussels sprouts kale apple salad has crisp greens, juicy honeycrisp apples, tangy & creamy gorgonzola cheese, and a crunchy nut & seed combination. Take all of that, toss it in a light-weight, completely candy maple cider dressing and also you’ve received your self a rattling good fall and winter salad.

Not solely is that this salad a beautiful meal prep lunch, nevertheless it’s additionally the right facet dish for the vacations.

Give this attractive salad a attempt the subsequent time you want some lunch inspo, and be happy to customise it with completely different proteins and fall produce! You’ll make this one time and again, promise.

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All the things you’ll have to make this brussels sprouts kale apple salad

This deliciously crunchy kale apple salad is filled with all the textures and flavors you crave. Candy, tangy, salty and oh-so addicting. Plus, kale is a superfood, so this salad is additional particular. Right here’s every thing you’ll have to make it:

• For the dressing: we’re utilizing a light-weight, candy & tangy maple cider French dressing made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, pure maple syrup, grainy dijon mustard, salt & pepper.
• For the salad: you’ll want brussels sprouts, kale, pink or inexperienced cabbage, apples (I like honeycrisp the perfect!), pink onion, dried cranberries or cherries and tangy gorgonzola crumbles.
• For the nut & seed crunch: we’re making a candy and salty topping with pecans, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup and salt. SO GOOD.

Straightforward methods to customise

You’ll be able to actually make this brussels sprouts kale apple salad your individual with some easy elements swaps. Right here’s what we propose:

• Select the cheese. For those who’re not a fan of gorgonzola, be happy to make use of goat cheese, feta cheese, shredded parmesan and even white cheddar cheese. They are going to all nonetheless be scrumptious.
• Select your fruit. I like utilizing honey crisp apples however fuji, pink woman, and so forth. work simply as nicely. Pears would even be good on this salad! They are going to break down extra within the salad, so should you use them it’s greatest to eat the salad instantly. I additionally suppose pomegranate seeds can be lovely within the salad.
• Make it vegan and/or paleo. Merely miss the cheese.
• Go nut free. You may as well use additional pumpkin seeds as a substitute of pecans. Straightforward!

Add a phenomenal seasonal twist

This brussels sprouts kale apple salad would even be wonderful with diced, roasted butternut squash or candy potatoes. About 2 cups ought to do the trick — you should definitely try our information for roasting the perfect butternut squash right here!

Trying so as to add a lift of protein?

With the nuts and cheese included on this kale apple salad you’ll truly get virtually 9g of protein per serving, however cooked, chopped hen breast, roasted chickpeas and even bacon can be a scrumptious manner so as to add much more protein! Bonus factors should you double the dressing and use it as a marinade for the hen. YUM.

You may additionally maintain it vegetarian by including a can of chickpeas or through the use of roasted chickpeas.

Ideas for utilizing kale in salads

Uncooked kale leaves are a lot harder than a leafy inexperienced like spinach, so don’t overlook the following tips for making kale salads:

• Chop it small. You should definitely chop it very finely in order that the bites aren’t too giant. Use a pointy knife or salad chopper, or pulse the kale just a few occasions in a meals processor.
• Therapeutic massage it. Add the maple cider dressing to your bowl with the kale, brussels sprouts & cabbage first and toss all of it collectively very well. You’ll be able to even do that along with your palms and “therapeutic massage” the dressing in in order that all the kale and crunchy veggies are nicely coated.
• Let it marinate. You’ll then need to let the dressed kale, brussels sprouts and cabbage sit for a bit (when you make the nut & seed combination) in order that the veggies take in all the taste.

One of the best methods to shred brussels sprouts

Together with finely chopping up your kale, you’ll additionally have to shred all of these brussels sprouts. Listed below are 3 simple methods to do it:

1. Use a meals processor: trim the small stem off of the brussels sprouts and add them to your meals processor a few handful or so at a time. Use the slicing attachment in your meals processor and pulse till they’re good and shredded.
2. Use a field grater: you may shred your brussels sprouts in opposition to a field grater on the facet with the most important holes. I’d recommend spraying the grater with a little bit of cooking spray in order that the sprouts simply glide in opposition to the grater.
3. Shred them with a knife: that is the strategy I usually use, and when you get the dangle of it it would go fairly shortly. Utilizing a pointy knife reduce the stem off of your brussels sprouts after which reduce them in half lengthwise. Then, with every half laying flat facet down, chop your brussels sprouts into tremendous shreds. No want for them to be good!

Retailer this brussels sprouts apple salad for later

As a result of this salad is crammed with crunchy veggies, it would truly be scrumptious over the course of some days after it marinates within the dressing! Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days. The nuts will soften a bit over time, so should you’re prepping this salad forward of time I’d advocate leaving the nut combination off till you’re able to serve.

Extra salad recipes you’ll love

Get all of our scrumptious salad recipes right here!

I hope you’re keen on this crunchy brussels sprouts kale apple salad recipe! For those who make it you should definitely go away a remark and a ranking so I understand how you preferred it. Get pleasure from, xo!

Brussels Sprouts Kale Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing

Candy & crunchy brussels sprouts kale apple salad with a light-weight maple cider dressing. This lovely, fall-inspired kale apple salad has fantastic flavors and textures from tangy gorgonzola, dried cranberries and a pecan pumpkin seed crunch combination. Benefit from the good lunch or facet dish all season lengthy!

Components

• For the maple cider dressing:
• ¼
  cup
  olive oil
• 3
  tablespoons
  apple cider vinegar
• 1-2
  tablespoons
  pure maple syrup, relying on how candy you want your salad dressing
• 1
  teaspoon
  grainy dijon mustard
• 1
  garlic clove, minced
• ½
  teaspoon
  salt
• Freshly floor black pepper
• For the salad:
• 8
  ounces
  brussels sprouts, stems and outer yellow leaves eliminated
• 2
  cups
  very finely chopped kale, stems eliminated
• 1
  cup
  shredded pink or inexperienced cabbage
• 2
  medium-large honeycrisp apples, sliced
• ¼
  of a pink onion, thinly sliced
• ⅓
  cup
  dried cranberries (or sub dried cherries)
• 1/3
  cup
  gorgonzola crumbles*
• For the salted pecan pumpkin seed crunch:
• 1/3
  cup
  chopped pecans (or walnuts)
• 1/3
  cup
  pumpkin seeds
• ½
  tablespoon
  pure maple syrup
• ¼
  teaspoon
  salt

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the elements for the dressing: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt and freshly floor black pepper. Style and add a bit of extra maple syrup should you like a sweeter dressing.

2. Subsequent, shred your brussels sprouts: shave the brussels sprouts through the use of a meals processor with the slicing attachment and pulse till the brussels sprouts are thinly sliced. For those who don’t have a meals processor, be happy to make use of a pointy knife to thinly slice. Add shredded brussels sprouts to a big bowl.

3. Within the giant bowl with the brussels sprouts, add the shredded kale and cabbage and pour dressing over. Use tongs or clear palms to combine every thing collectively for 1-2 minutes. It could appear lengthy however this helps to interrupt down the kale and evenly distribute the flavour of the dressing. Permit it to take a seat and marinate when you make the pecan pumpkin seed crunch.

4. To make the pumpkin pecan crunch: place pecans and pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium warmth. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring often till they flip barely golden brown and aromatic, then flip off warmth and instantly add in maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt. Stir for 30 extra seconds to coat, then switch to a plate or piece of parchment paper to chill for a couple of minutes. A few of the nuts will barely stick collectively however that is what we wish for the ‘nut crunch’ within the salad. Permit to chill for five minutes.

5. Add the sliced apples, pink onion and dried cranberries/cherries and gorgonzola to the salad and toss to mix. Sprinkle the nut combination on high and toss once more. In case you are serving the salad later, I like to recommend leaving the nut combination out till you might be able to serve so it stays good and crunchy. Get pleasure from!

Recipe Notes

Be at liberty to sub goat cheese or feta, shredded parm or white cheddar for the gorgonzola if it’s not your favourite.

Including 2 cups of diced roasted butternut squash or candy potatoes to this salad is scrumptious!

Pears can be a wonderful sub for the apples. They are going to break down extra within the salad although so it’s greatest to eat instantly.

To make it vegan: miss the gorgonzola.

To make it nut free: use additional pumpkin seeds as a substitute of pecans.

 

Diet

Servings: 4 servings

Serving dimension: 1 serving (based mostly on 4)

Energy: 401kcal

Fats: 27.5g

Saturated fats: 5.1g

Carbohydrates: 36.6g

Fiber: 7.3g

Sugar: 24.2g

Protein: 8.6g