Winter Kale Salad with Pecans (Printable)

Nutrient-packed kale with toasted pecans, tart cranberries, and zesty maple-Dijon vinaigrette—perfect for wholesome winter meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Greens

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (about 8 cups), stems removed and leaves chopped

→ Nuts & Fruit

02 - 1/2 cup pecan halves
03 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries

→ Cheese (optional)

04 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
07 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
08 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Add-ins (optional)

11 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced
12 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place pecan halves in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast, stirring frequently, for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
02 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 1–2 minutes until leaves are tender and darkened.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add toasted pecans, dried cranberries, sliced apple, and red onion (if using) to the kale. Drizzle with dressing and toss well to combine.
05 - Top with crumbled feta or goat cheese just before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The massage trick makes raw kale tender enough to eat without cooking
  • Toasted pecans bring this amazing warmth that balances the bright vinaigrette
  • It gets better as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep or potlucks
02 -
  • The kale massage isn't optional. Without it, you're chewing on tough leaves that will make your jaw tired.
  • Don't dress the salad more than an hour before serving or the kale will start to break down too much.
  • Pecans burn fast. Don't walk away from the pan, not even for a minute.
03 -
  • Dry your kale really well after washing. Water clinging to the leaves will make the dressing slide right off.
  • Taste a leaf after massaging. If it still feels tough, keep going. The kale will tell you when it's ready.

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