Apple Cranberry Kale Salad

Do you want to be the star guest at your Thanksgiving get-together this year? Well then I have just the recipe for you to bring! From the sweetness of the apples to the crispness of the kale to the tang of the dressing, this is seriously one of my favorite salads. For real though. Pure deliciousness. 

 

Okay right about now I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t be hyping it up so much because what if you don’t like it…. But you will. ?

 

A few important notes for you: This recipe is made for 4 servings so increase as needed depending on the size of your gathering. I have provided ingredients to make more dressing than the serving size if that’s your jam and you love dressing. The actual serving size for this dressing will be about 2.5 tablespoons per serving. The recipe makes closer to 5 Tbsp per serving, so keep that in mind if you’re paying attention to the nutrition facts. 

 

The Salad

  • 6 cups chopped kale
  • 1 red apple, cored and chopped in small pieces
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1/2 cup almonds, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries

The Dressing

  • 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt + fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

 

Instructions

  1. To make the kale salad: In a large bowl add chopped kale, bacon, apple, almond, feta, and cranberries.
  2.  In a bowl or mason jar, whisk together all dressing ingredients: apple juice, mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Toss with the apple cranberry bacon kale salad immediately before serving. Enjoy!

 

 

In case you’ve gotten this far and you’re wondering about the nutritional benefits of this salad (because I know you are, right?) let me tell you all about them. First off, have you ever heard of kale being recognized as a “super food”? This is because it is one of the most nutrient dense foods which includes a variety of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folate, lutein, omega 3, calcium, zinc, fiber, and more. All of that goodness in a bunch of crunchy, curly greens. 

 

The apples and cranberries add even more fiber and antioxidants to help fight infections and aid in cancer prevention. 

 

You may be wondering where all of the fat is coming from and if that’s okay? Of course you’ll get some fat from the feta, almonds, and the bacon, but a large portion of the fat is coming from the olive oil which provides monounsaturated fat and is considered “heart healthy” because it can help lower LDL cholesterol (the bad one). Remember, not all fats are created equal. 

 

Plus when you balance these heart healthy fats with a good lean protein like turkey, it’s the perfect combination to keep you feeling full for longer. Throw in a colorful or whole grain carbohydrate source and you’ve got the perfect Thanksgiving meal. And of course there’s always room for a little dessert!

 

I hope you enjoy this recipe and your holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 

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