Description
A vibrant and nutritious Kale Salad with Cranberries and Pistachios that balances the hearty crunch of kale, sweet tartness of dried cranberries, and nutty crispness of toasted pistachios. This easy-to-make salad is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats, perfect as a refreshing side or a satisfying stand-alone meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh kale (curly or Lacinato), washed, stems removed, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup raw pistachios, lightly toasted
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the kale: Wash the kale thoroughly and remove the tough stems. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Massage the kale gently with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil until it softens and becomes slightly glossy; this reduces bitterness and makes the kale tender.
- Toast the pistachios: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the raw pistachios and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool to bring out their nutty flavor and add crunch to the salad.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined. The dressing should have a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors.
- Combine all ingredients: In a large salad bowl, toss the massaged kale with dried cranberries and toasted pistachios. Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad and toss again until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve or chill: Enjoy the salad immediately for the freshest crunch, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Massage the kale to soften its texture and reduce bitterness.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright acidity.
- Toast pistachios carefully to avoid burning and bitterness.
- Serve the salad within a few hours of mixing to maintain crunch and freshness.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey/maple syrup depending on tartness of cranberries.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required (toasting nuts on stove)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: kale salad, cranberry salad, pistachio salad, healthy salad, superfood salad, gluten free salad, vegetarian salad
