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Apple Cranberry Bacon Kale Salad

Fresh Apple Cranberry Bacon Kale Salad That Dances with Flavor

Discover the vibrant Apple Cranberry Bacon Kale Salad, bursting with flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion.
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Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple Cranberry Bacon Kale Salad, easy salad recipe, Fresh Salad, healthy salad, Quick Salad, salad with bacon
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 250kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • large bowl
  • small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 6 cups Kale chopped, stems removed
  • 1 cup Fresh Cranberries or Dried
  • 1 medium Apple tart variety like Granny Smith
  • 4 slices Bacon cooked until crispy
  • 1 cup Walnuts or Pecans toasted
  • ½ cup Feta Cheese optional
  • ¼ medium Red Onion thinly sliced

For the Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 pinch Pepper

Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Rinse the kale leaves thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt, remove stems, and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  • Drizzle olive oil over the kale, add a pinch of salt, and massage for 2-3 minutes until the leaves soften.
  • Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces.
  • In the same skillet, toast walnuts or pecans in the remaining bacon drippings over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden.
  • Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  • In the bowl with the massaged kale, add the diced apple, cranberries, crumbled bacon, toasted nuts, feta cheese, and red onion.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  • Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.

Notes

For optimal taste, add crispy elements like bacon and nuts just before serving to preserve their crunch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 2mg