Brussels Sprouts Kale Apple Salad

With the entire sweets and heavier recipes this season I’m right here to convey you one thing tremendous recent and bursting with a mixture of candy, tangy and salty flavors. AKA a scrumptious taste explosion you received’t be capable to get sufficient of.

Kale salad recipes, for my part, 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 an exquisite meal prep lunch, nevertheless it’s additionally the proper aspect 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 many times, promise.

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Every little thing you’ll have to make this brussels sprouts kale apple salad

This deliciously crunchy kale apple salad is full of 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 the whole lot 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, purple or inexperienced cabbage, apples (I like honeycrisp one of the best!), purple 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 possibly can actually make this brussels sprouts kale apple salad your personal with some easy elements swaps. Right here’s what we propose:

• Select the cheese. In case 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 may 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 excellent on this salad! They may break down extra within the salad, so should you use them it’s finest to eat the salad straight away. I additionally assume pomegranate seeds could be lovely within the salad.
• Make it vegan and/or paleo. Merely pass over the cheese.
• Go nut free. You may as well use additional pumpkin seeds as an alternative of pecans. Straightforward!

Add a fantastic 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 — remember to take a look at our information for roasting one of the best 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 really get virtually 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 should you double the dressing and use it as a marinade for the hen. YUM.

You can additionally preserve it vegetarian by including a can of chickpeas or through the use of 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’ll want to 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 couple of occasions in a food 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 possibly can even do that along with your palms and “therapeutic massage” the dressing in in order that the entire kale and crunchy veggies are nicely coated.
• Let it marinate. You’ll then wish 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 most effective 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 food 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 box grater on the aspect 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 grasp of it it would go fairly rapidly. Utilizing a pointy knife lower the stem off of your brussels sprouts after which lower them in half lengthwise. Then, with every half laying flat aspect 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 stuffed with crunchy veggies, it would really be scrumptious over the course of some days after it marinates within the dressing! Retailer any leftovers in an airtight 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.

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Get all of our scrumptious salad recipes here!

I hope you’re keen on this crunchy brussels sprouts kale apple salad recipe! In case you make it remember to go away 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

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 aspect 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 purple or inexperienced cabbage
• 2
  medium-large honeycrisp apples, sliced
• ¼
  of a purple 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 just a little 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. In case 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.

3. Within the massive bowl with the brussels sprouts, add the shredded kale and cabbage and pour dressing over. Use tongs or clear palms to combine the whole lot 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.

4. 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. A number 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.

5. Add the sliced apples, purple onion and dried cranberries/cherries and gorgonzola to the salad and toss to mix. Sprinkle the nut combination on high and toss once more. If you’re 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 superb sub for the apples. They may break down extra within the salad although so it’s finest to eat straight away.

To make it vegan: pass over the gorgonzola.

To make it nut free: use additional pumpkin seeds as an alternative of pecans.

 

Vitamin

Servings: 4 servings

Serving measurement: 1 serving (primarily based on 4)

Energy: 401kcal

Fats: 27.5g

Saturated fats: 5.1g

Carbohydrates: 36.6g

Fiber: 7.3g

Sugar: 24.2g

Protein: 8.6g