Winter Kale Pecans Cranberries (Printable)

A vibrant winter salad with kale, pecans, cranberries, and a tangy maple vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (approximately 8 cups), stems removed, leaves finely chopped
02 - 1 cup pecan halves
03 - ¾ cup dried cranberries
04 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
06 - 1 medium apple, thinly sliced

→ Maple Vinaigrette

07 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
12 - ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How To Make:

01 - Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecan halves and toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool completely.
02 - Place chopped kale in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the leaves firmly with your hands for 1–2 minutes until they darken in color and become tender to the touch.
03 - In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake until fully emulsified and thickened slightly.
04 - Add toasted pecans, dried cranberries, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese if using, and apple slices to the massaged kale. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
05 - Pour the maple vinaigrette over the salad and toss thoroughly until all leaves are coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as desired. Serve immediately or allow to rest for 10 minutes for flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The kale massage trick transforms tough leaves into something silky and addictive
  • It holds up beautifully for hours, making it perfect for potlucks and meal prep
02 -
  • Massaging the kale is non-negotiable—it breaks down the tough fibers and makes the salad actually enjoyable to eat
  • Letting the dressed salad sit for 10 minutes softens the kale even more and lets all the flavors become friends
03 -
  • Use a Microplane to zest a little fresh lemon into the vinaigrette for extra brightness
  • If serving several hours later, add the pecans right before serving so they stay crunchy

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