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Meaningful Eats

Kale Salad with Cranberries

6 servings
This EASY kale salad recipe will become your go-to! A few tricks help this Kale Cranberry Salad turn out delicious every time. Kale salad is the perfect side dish for meal-prep, dinners, potlucks and more!
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Salad:

  • 1 head of kale I prefer lacinato or Italian kale, rib removed and very thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup red cabbage chopped or sliced thinly
  • 1 carrot peeled and grated
  • 1/2 cup apple diced
  • 1 tablespoon red onion finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds toasted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese optional

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a small jar, shake vigorously to mix.
  • Place the kale in a bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons of the dressing. Use your hands to massage the kale for a few minutes until the leaves turn darker and wilt slightly.
  • Add the remaining ingredients for the salad. Add a few more tablespoons of dressing and toss together. Taste for seasonings then serve. Enjoy!

Notes

MAKE-AHEAD: This salad can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you're making this salad a few hours in advance you can add everything except the almonds, and top with the almonds before serving. If you're making this a few days in advance you may want to add the apple and almond right before serving. 
My favorite type of kale to use is Lacinato (also called Dinosaur or Italian Kale) This variety of kale makes the best salads!
Massaging the kale might sound fancy, but it really is just that – giving the leaves a little massage! Use both hands and rub the dressing into the greens. The kale will wilt and soften sightly making a delicious salad. 

Nutrition

Calories: 236.89kcal | Carbohydrates: 21.36g | Protein: 4.43g | Fat: 16.42g | Saturated Fat: 3.48g | Cholesterol: 11.13mg | Sodium: 250.23mg | Potassium: 190.02mg | Fiber: 2.36g | Sugar: 15.35g | Vitamin A: 2783.01IU | Vitamin C: 20.8mg | Calcium: 106.33mg | Iron: 0.75mg