Brussels Sprouts Kale Apple Salad


We’re so prepared for fall over right here and to kick it off I’m right here to carry 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 nasty 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 lightweight, completely candy maple cider dressing and also you’ve obtained 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 proper aspect dish for the vacations (sure, we’re interested by Thanksgiving already!)

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

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kale apple salad with nuts and gorgonzola on a plate

Every part you’ll must 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 further particular. Right here’s all the pieces you’ll must make it:

  • For the dressing: we’re utilizing a lightweight, 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 really 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.

pouring maple cider dressing into a bowl of brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage

Straightforward methods to customise

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

  • Select the cheese. In case you’re not a fan of gorgonzola, be at liberty 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 really like utilizing honey crisp apples however fuji, pink woman, and so forth. work simply as nicely. Pears would even be excellent on this salad! They are going to break down extra within the salad, so should you use them it’s finest to eat the salad instantly. I additionally assume pomegranate seeds can be stunning within the salad.
  • Make it vegan and/or paleo. Merely miss the cheese.
  • Go nut free. You may also use further pumpkin seeds as an alternative of pecans. Straightforward!

massaging dressing into a brussels sprouts kale apple salad

Add a stupendous seasonal twist

This brussels sprouts kale apple salad would even be superb with diced, roasted butternut squash or candy potatoes. About 2 cups ought to do the trick — you’ll want to 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 nearly 9g of protein per serving, however cooked, chopped rooster 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 rooster. YUM.

You can additionally maintain it vegetarian by including a can of chickpeas or by utilizing roasted chickpeas.

ingredients for a brussels sprouts apple salad in a serving bowl

Ideas for utilizing kale in salads

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

  • Chop it small. Make sure you chop it very finely in order that the bites aren’t too massive. Use a pointy knife or salad chopper, or pulse the kale a number of instances 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 fingers 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 absorb all the taste.

kale apple salad in a bowl with serving spoons

The very best methods to shred brussels sprouts

Together with finely chopping up your kale, you’ll additionally must shred all of these brussels sprouts. Listed here are 3 straightforward 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 couple of 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 possibly can shred your brussels sprouts in opposition to a field grater on the aspect with the most important holes. I’d counsel 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 sometimes use, and when you get the hold of it it would go fairly shortly. Utilizing a pointy knife minimize the stem off of your brussels sprouts after which minimize them in half lengthwise. Then, with every half laying flat aspect down, chop your brussels sprouts into superb shreds. No want for them to be excellent!

brussels sprouts kale apple salad on a plate with nuts and gorgonzola

Retailer this brussels sprouts apple salad for later

As a result of this salad is full of 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.

vegetarian kale apple salad on a plate

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! In case you make it you’ll want to go away a remark and a ranking so I understand how you preferred it. Take pleasure in, xo!

Brussels Sprouts Kale Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing

kale apple salad in a serving bowl

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook dinner Time 10 minutes

Whole Time 35 minutes

Serves4 servings

Candy & crunchy brussels sprouts kale apple salad with a lightweight maple cider dressing. This stunning, fall-inspired kale apple salad has great flavors and textures from tangy gorgonzola, dried cranberries and a pecan pumpkin seed crunch combination. Benefit from the excellent lunch or aspect 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
  • 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

  • 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 just a little extra maple syrup should you like a sweeter dressing.

  • Subsequent, shred your brussels sprouts: shave the brussels sprouts by utilizing a meals processor with the slicing attachment and pulse till the brussels sprouts are thinly sliced. In case you don’t have a meals processor, be at liberty to make use of a pointy knife to thinly slice. Add shredded brussels sprouts to a big bowl.

  • Within the massive bowl with the brussels sprouts, add the shredded kale and cabbage and pour dressing over. Use tongs or clear fingers to combine all the pieces 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. Enable it to take a seat and marinate when you make the pecan pumpkin seed crunch.

  • To make the pumpkin pecan crunch: place pecans and pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium warmth. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring ceaselessly 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. Among the nuts will barely stick collectively however that is what we would like for the ‘nut crunch’ within the salad. Enable to chill for five minutes.

  • Add the sliced apples, pink onion and dried cranberries/cherries and gorgonzola to the salad and toss to mix. Sprinkle the nut combination on prime and toss once more. In case you are serving the salad later, I like to recommend leaving the nut combination out till you’re able to serve so it stays good and crunchy. Take pleasure in!

Recipe Notes

Be happy 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 superb sub for the apples. They are going to break down extra within the salad although so it’s finest to eat instantly.
To make it vegan: miss the gorgonzola.
To make it nut free: use further pumpkin seeds as an alternative of pecans.
 

Vitamin

Serving: 1serving (primarily based on 4)Energy: 401calCarbohydrates: 36.6gProtein: 8.6gFats: 27.5gSaturated Fats: 5.1gFiber: 7.3gSugar: 24.2g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Images by: Eat Love Eats

This publish was initially printed on September eighth, 2021, republished on December nineteenth, 2022, and republished September nineteenth, 2023.



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