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Kale Pomegranate Salad
5 from 6 votes

Kale Pomegranate Salad

Try this 5-minute kale pomegranate salad—fresh, simple, and dressed in a delicious zesty balsamic vinaigrette. With additions like green apple and toasted almonds, it's the BEST and EASIEST kale salad recipe!

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 191 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Salad:
  • 2 bunches Lacinato kale washed and stems removed (about 8 ounces if pre-bagged
  • 1 small green apple cut into small matchsticks or bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds about 1 small pomegranate, fresh
  • ½ cup almonds OR walnuts, pine nuts, or pepitas, toasted, sliced
Dressing:
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 - 2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 garlic minced, clove
  • black pepper to taste
  • salt to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Prep the Kale: Remove the tough stems from the kale leaves and discard them. Finely chop the kale leaves with a knife.
  3. Massage the Kale: Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle half of the dressing over the kale and add a pinch of salt. Massage the kale for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it softens.
  4. Make the Salad: Add the green apple, pomegranate seeds, and toasted almonds (or other nuts/seeds) to the bowl with the kale.
  5. Toss and Serve: Toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated with the rest of the dressing. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Lacinato Kale: Also known as dinosaur or Tuscan kale, is best for kale salads. You can use curly kale for this recipe too.
  • Serving: Try it with grilled chicken, air fryer chicken thighs, hot honey chicken tenders, or these crispy air fryer chicken cutlets. I also love this chicken penne alla vodka, chicken and broccoli lasagna, and mac and cheese for a light side to a rich dish!
  • Remove the Kale Stems: Taking out the stems from kale makes your salad tastier and easier to chew. Stems are tough to eat.
  • Massage the Kale: Take 1 minute to massage the kale with the dressing. This not only softens the leaves but also enhances their flavor. It makes a huge difference!
  • Add Protein: Make this kale salad into a full meal by adding protein like grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or tofu.
  • Seasonal additions: Try adding seasonal ingredients like sliced grapefruit, pear, or dried cranberries, which can be great additions in the winter.
  • Add cheese: Sprinkle in crumbled goat cheese, feta cheese, or shaved Parmesan cheese for a creamy, salty bite.
  • Add a grain: We love quinoa (gluten-free option) or farro for a heartier salad.

Nutrition Information

Calories 191kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 7g (35%) Sodium 78mg (3%) Potassium 448mg (10%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 9007IU (180%) Vitamin C 89mg (99%) Calcium 258mg (26%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 191

% Daily Value*

Calories 191kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Sodium 78mg 3%
Potassium 448mg 10%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 9007IU 180%
Vitamin C 89mg 99%
Calcium 258mg 26%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.