Honey Dijon Apple and Kale Salad

Name: Honey Dijon Apple and Kale Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups chopped kale with stems removed; 2 cups fresh arugula; 2 large apples thinly sliced; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; Salt and pepper to taste

This is the perfect crisp salad to balance out those heavy holiday side dishes.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· October 25, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

0 minutes

Total

15 minutes

Serves

I always find that our Thanksgiving table needs something bright and crunchy to go with the turkey and mashed potatoes. This salad uses fresh kale and sweet apples to bring a nice pop of color and flavor that everyone seems to reach for.

To make things easier on the big day, you can whisk the dressing together ahead of time. Just keep it in a small jar in the fridge and give it a good shake before you pour it over the greens.

🧺 Ingredients

4 cups chopped kale with stems removed
2 cups fresh arugula
2 large apples thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
In a small bowl or a jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until the mixture is smooth.
2
Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the dressing and set it aside.
3
Place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl and drizzle it with just a little bit of the dressing.
4
Use your hands to massage the kale for about one minute until the leaves look dark green and feel tender.
5
Add the arugula, sliced apples, and dried cranberries to the bowl with the kale.
6
Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently so the leaves are well coated.
7
Sprinkle the toasted pumpkin seeds over the top right before serving so they stay crunchy.

💡 Tips

If you slice your apples early, toss them in a little lemon juice so they do not turn brown. This salad keeps well in the fridge for a day, but the greens will soften slightly over time.

#Healthy #Gluten Free #Vegetarian #Salad #Holiday

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