Looking for a vibrant, make-ahead meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrients? This Kale Apple Salad is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and crunchy! With roasted butternut squash, quinoa, fresh apples, and a tangy apple cider vinaigrette, this salad is both hearty and refreshing. Prepare everything in advance, toss it together when you’re ready, and enjoy a wholesome dish that’s perfect for meal prep, lunch, or as a holiday side!
Kale Apple Salad
Ingredients for Salad:
- 2 10 oz bags of frozen butternut squash
- ½ tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups chopped kale leaves
- Two small apples, pears, or figs sliced or dice
- 1 small red onion diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp nuts or seeds per salad
Ingredients for Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tbsp apple cider vinegarette
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 3 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roast the butternut squash. Toss with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast until tender., about 20 minutes.
- Cook the quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool.
- Make dressing. Put all the ingredients in a jar and shake until combined.
- Massage the kale. Kale can be tough and bitter. Massage it with half of the dressing to bring out the sweetness and make it more tender. Add the kale to a salad bowl with 1/2 of the dressing and toss until it’s evenly coated.
- Assemble – Add the quinoa, butternut squash, and apples into the bowl with the kale, and toss to combine.
- Divide salad between 4 bowls and add toppings. Keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy!
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Hi I’m Teresa!
I’m a mom to three, a wife and a physician assistant. I also have a degree in Nutritional Sciences and I love sharing all things life with you! I am passionate about empowering you through education, sharing all my fave products and items that have made life better and creating content to give you value!
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