Pomegranate Apple Kale Salad (video)
This incredible kale salad has been a family favorite for years! Easy pomegranate apple kale salad with diced apples, shallots, broccoli, pecans, pomegranate arils, and a homemade vinaigrette dressing. It’s crunchy, crispy, zesty, and refreshing. This apple salad pairs very well with roasted turkey, roasted chicken, or even roasted duck! A great option for the holiday season!
Watch My Kale Salad Video Tutorials
Watch my YouTube apple kale salad video tutorial and reel for step-by-step instructions. The new reel also features the dressing recipe! Want to stay up to date on the newest recipes? Subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel for notifications.
Ingredients for Apple Kale Salad
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this easy and delicious apple kale salad. Find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
- Kale Lettuce – these firm and crispy greens make a fantastic base for this salad. Kale also holds up very well, even after being dressed, so you can enjoy this salad the next day, too.
- Apples – just about any variety of apples will taste great in this recipe. I usually use Gala or Fiji apples.
- Broccoli – regular broccoli or broccolini will both work well.
- Pecans – try regular or candied pecans! Other nuts, such as pistachios, almonds, or walnuts will also work well.
- Pomegranate Arils – these crunchy and fruity seeds make this salad extra festive!
- Champagne Vinegar – I love this specific vinegar for making the salad dressing. Red wine vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice are great substitutes.
- Olive Oil – use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best tasting dressing.
Supplies & Tools for the Recipe
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Easy Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
I dress this apple kale salad with a bright and zesty champagne vinaigrette salad dressing. It pairs so well with the salad ingredients and tastes incredible!
- Pour the olive oil and champagne vinegar into a large measuring cup. Add in the maple syrup and Dijon mustard next.
- Season the dressing with salt, pepper, dried onion, dried thyme, and dried basil. Use a microplaner or zester to grate in the garlic cloves.
- Whisk everything together and set aside for later. You can store this dressing in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Preparing Kale for Salad
The hardy and crispy texture of kale makes it a great choice for this delicious apple salad. You can use regular, green kale, or try using red or purple kale.
- Wash the kale first in cold water, then dry. Using a sharp knife, cut away the hard, fibrous core of each kale leaf.
- Cut larger kale leaves into strips, then use a knife to chop the kale into thin strips. Drop the kale into a large salad serving bowl. Use your hands to gently massage the kale leaves.
How to Make Apple Kale Salad
- Next, dice the apples into pea-sized pieces; no need to peel the apples unless you absolutely want to.
- Chop the broccoli crown into small, bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the shallots and the pecans. Clean the pomegranate seeds.
- Add the diced apples, chopped broccoli, shallots, pecans, and pomegranate arils to the chopped kale.
Serving & Storing Suggestions
Give the salad dressing a good whisk before pouring the dressing over the salad. Use two large salad spoons to toss the salad together. You can enjoy this salad right away, or keep it stored in the refrigerator.
Make-Ahead Instructions for Kale Salad
If you would like to make this apple kale salad ahead of time, simply prepare all the ingredients and place them into a salad bowl. Keep the salad dressing in a separate measuring cup.
Once you’re ready to serve and enjoy the salad, toss the salad with the dressing and enjoy!
More Recipes to Try!
Enjoyed this easy and delicious kale salad recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to love!
- Frisée Pear Salad – a delicious harvest salad with pears, blue cheese, candied pecans, dates, and frisée lettuce.
- Sweet Potato Kale Salad – crispy kale with oven-roasted sweet potatoes, cheese, apples, and almonds.
- Prosciutto & Apple Arugula Salad – you’ll love this simple salad with parmesan cheese, candied pecans, apples, and more!
- Apple & Roasted Squash Salad – arugula salad with roasted squash, apples, cucumbers, cheese, and pomegranate.
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Pomegranate Apple Kale Salad Recipe (video)
Ingredients
- 1 large head of kale
- 2 medium apples
- 1 medium head of broccoli
- 1 large pomegranate
- 2 large shallots
- 1/2 cup pecans
For Salad Dressing:
- 1/3 cup champagne vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, or honey
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp EACH: dried onion, dried basil, dried thyme
Instructions
Making Salad Dressing:
- Pour the olive oil and champagne vinegar into a large measuring cup. Add in the maple syrup and Dijon mustard next.
- Season the dressing with salt, pepper, dried onion, dried thyme, and dried basil. Use a microplaner or zester to grate the garlic cloves.
- Whisk everything together and set aside for later. You can store this dressing in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Preparing the Salad:
- Wash the kale first in cold water, then dry. Using a sharp knife, cut away the hard, fibrous core of each kale leaf.
- Cut larger kale leaves into strips, then use a knife to chop the kale into thin strips. Drop the kale into a large salad serving bowl. Use your hands to gently massage the kale leaves.
- Next, dice the apples into pea-sized pieces; no need to peel the apples unless you absolutely want to.
- Chop the broccoli crown into small, bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the shallots and the pecans. Clean the pomegranate seeds.
- Add the diced apples, chopped broccoli, shallots, pecans, and pomegranate arils to the chopped kale.
Serving & Storing:
- Give the salad dressing a good whisk before pouring the dressing over the salad. Use two large salad spoons to toss the salad together. You can enjoy this salad right away, or keep it stored in the refrigerator.
- If you would like to make this apple kale salad ahead of time, simply prepare all the ingredients and place them into a salad bowl. Keep the salad dressing in a separate measuring cup. Once you’re ready to serve and enjoy the salad, toss the salad with the dressing and enjoy!
Looks so Delish? Where do you buy the dressing?
It’s so good! I’ve made it 3 times this past week for Thanksgiving parties. I buy the dressing at Safeway, although I think most stores will have it! 🙂
This looks amazing. I love fruity salads during summer. However I am not a fan of onions. Is there any substitutes for it?
This salad is one of my all-time favorites! I make it all the time. If you don’t like onions, you can just leave them out 🙂
Soooo good
Thank you!! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
I am sure this will be a great salad. However in the photo at the top of the picture, it looks like a finger with a red fingernail!!! My eyes cant look away from it. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Terrie! I’m not seeing the fingernail but I do hope you enjoy the recipe!
Salad was alright, but the champagne dressing wasn’t that great. It was too sour to enjoy.
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the dressing! Maybe try a little less next time? Or maybe a different brand?