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 received’t be capable of get sufficient of.

Kale salad recipes, for my part, 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 lightweight, 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, however it’s additionally the proper facet dish for the vacations (sure, we’re desirous about Thanksgiving already!)

Give this beautiful salad a strive the subsequent time you want some lunch inspo, and be happy to customise it with totally 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 the entire 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 part you’ll have to 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.

Simple methods to customise

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

• Select the cheese. When you’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 really like utilizing honey crisp apples however fuji, pink girl, and so on. work simply as effectively. Pears would even be excellent on this salad! They are going to break down extra within the salad, so in case you use them it’s greatest to eat the salad instantly. I additionally suppose pomegranate seeds could be lovely within the salad.
• Make it vegan and/or paleo. Merely pass over the cheese.
• Go nut free. You can too use additional pumpkin seeds as a substitute of pecans. Simple!

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 — be sure you 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 hen breast, roasted chickpeas and even bacon could be a scrumptious manner so as to add much more protein! Bonus factors in case you double the dressing and use it as a marinade for the hen. YUM.

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

Suggestions for utilizing kale in salads

Uncooked kale leaves are a lot harder than a leafy inexperienced like spinach, so don’t neglect 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 a couple of 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 rather well. You’ll be able to even do that along with your fingers and “therapeutic massage” the dressing in in order that the entire kale and crunchy veggies are effectively coated.
• Let it marinate. You’ll then need to let the dressed kale, brussels sprouts and cabbage sit for a bit (whilst you make the nut & seed combination) in order that the veggies take in the entire taste.

The perfect methods to shred brussels sprouts

Together with finely chopping up your kale, you’ll additionally have to shred all of these brussels sprouts. Listed here 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 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 towards a field grater on the facet with the biggest holes. I’d counsel spraying the grater with a little bit of cooking spray in order that the sprouts simply glide towards the grater.
3. Shred them with a knife: that is the tactic I usually use, and when you get the hold of it it is going to 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 high quality shreds. No want for them to be excellent!

Retailer this brussels sprouts apple salad for later

As a result of this salad is full of crunchy veggies, it is going to 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 in case you’re prepping this salad forward of time I’d advocate leaving the nut combination off till you’re able to serve.

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Get all of our scrumptious salad recipes right here!

I hope you’re keen on this crunchy brussels sprouts kale apple salad recipe! When you make it be sure you depart a remark and a ranking so I understand how you appreciated it. Take pleasure in, xo!

Brussels Sprouts Kale Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Prepare dinner Time 10 minutes minutes

Complete Time 35 minutes minutes

ServesServes 4 servings

Candy & crunchy brussels sprouts kale apple salad with a lightweight maple cider dressing. This lovely, 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 facet dish all season lengthy!

Substances

• 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

• In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the substances 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 in case 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. When you 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.

• Within the giant bowl with the brussels sprouts, add the shredded kale and cabbage and pour dressing over. Use tongs or clear fingers to combine every part collectively for 1-2 minutes. It might 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 whilst 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 continuously 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 would like for the ‘nut crunch’ within the salad. Permit 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 high 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 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 could 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: pass over the gorgonzola.
To make it nut free: use additional pumpkin seeds as a substitute of pecans.
 

Vitamin

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