Winter Kale Nourishing Salad (Printable Version)
A vibrant blend of kale, roasted veggies, nuts, and citrus dressing to brighten chilly days.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large bunch kale (7 oz), stems removed and leaves chopped
02 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small apple, cored and thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
→ Nuts & Cheese
06 - 1/3 cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
07 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tbsp orange juice
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Spread diced sweet potato on the sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Roast for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and golden. Allow to cool slightly.
03 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl with a pinch of salt. Massage with your hands for 1–2 minutes until leaves soften and darken.
04 - Add roasted sweet potato, red onion, apple slices, and pomegranate seeds to the kale.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
06 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
07 - Sprinkle chopped nuts and crumbled feta cheese on top if desired.
08 - Serve immediately or let the salad rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The roasted sweet potato turns soft and jammy against the hearty kale, making this feel way more indulgent than a typical salad.
- It actually tastes better the next day when the dressing has time to soften the kale further and the flavors get cozy together.
- You can make the whole thing in under 45 minutes, and most of that time the oven is doing the work for you.
02 -
- Don't skip massaging the kale—it's genuinely the difference between a salad that feels good and one that feels like you're chewing your way through a health obligation.
- If you make this ahead, dress it just before serving or the kale will continue to soften and lose its structure, which is fine if you prefer it that way but worth knowing.
03 -
- Toast your nuts lightly in a dry pan before adding them—it only takes 2–3 minutes but deepens their flavor and makes them taste fresher.
- If you find Dijon mustard too sharp, use smooth yellow mustard instead, or reduce the amount and add another teaspoon of honey to balance it.