Cranberry Walnut Kale Salad with Fresh Cranberry Vinaigrette | Simple Sundays
Cranberry Walnut Kale Salad with Fresh Cranberry Vinaigrette is perfect for the holiday table. The dressing is tangy and sweet to complement the hearty kale. Make the salad in advance, leaving you more time for other dishes, and, of course, your guests.
You will love this Cranberry Walnut Kale Salad at your holiday table. It’s simple, delicious, and the best part — can be made in advance, leaving you more time for other dishes, and, of course, your guests.
24 hours ago, my plane was making its approach to the coast of Northern California, and a peek outside its windows revealed a freshly washed San Francisco. Heavy rains had rinsed it clean and its slick roads sparkled as we descended. After nearly a week of warm winds, mild tropical mists and ocean views, it was time to return to reality.
I went to the market to restock our bare cupboards. And to prepare for the big Thanksgiving week ahead. My family will be arriving, starting with my brother on Monday night, and it’s time to set those menu plans in action. One of the first I can cross of my list: Fresh Cranberry Vinaigrette.
I want to serve a salad dressed with dried cranberries, hearty walnuts and sweet red onions. Drizzled on top, the vibrant cranberry dressing, tangy and sweet, with enough bite to complement heart-healthy kale.
Yes, kale. I know, sometimes it can be bitter, eaten raw. But while I was away, I had the most lovely kale, tender and young, and so pleasant raw. If you can find excellent kale, you will love this Cranberry Walnut Kale Salad at your holiday table. And perhaps the best part — you can make it in advance, leaving you more time for other dishes, and of course, your guests.
If this Cranberry Walnut Kale Salad with Fresh Cranberry Vinaigrette left you wanting more kale on your plate, be sure to check out these other great kale recipes:
Blackberry and Blueberry Kale Salad with Aged Havarti
Tomato and Mozzarella Ravioli with Tomatoes, Baby Kale and Artichokes
Greek Shrimp, Pearl Barley and Kale with Feta
Mandarin Orange Kale Salad
Fettuccine with Chicken Sausage, Kale and Cannellini Beans
Cranberry Walnut Kale Salad with Fresh Cranberry Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 4 oz fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil
- 8 oz fresh kale preferably Tuscan, and young leaves
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- additional salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, place fresh cranberries, water and sugar over medium heat. Let it come to a boil and once the first cranberry pops, simmer for about 5 minutes until all the cranberries pop open. Place in a blender and puree till smooth. Add the vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper and blend. Add the olive oil and blend again. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Trim kale by removing stems/stalks and tearing the leaves into bit sized pieces. Toss in a bowl with dried cranberries, walnuts, red onion and just enough dressing to lightly coat the kale. Reserve remaining dressing until ready to serve. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least half an hour, or overnight.
- Serve with a light drizzle of additional dressing if desired.
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
Delicious
Thank you so much!
Yummy
Good
Looks good
Can’t do sugar, any alternatives?
If you can’t do granulated sugar, I would recommend trying honey, maple syrup, or using a sugar substitute.
I love the colors of this salad!
My goodness, such a great combo and healthy too!
Yes! So full of super-food goodness!
What a gorgeous salad – perfect for the holidays and delicious any time of the year!
I’m drooling over this salad!
Thanks, Megan!! It’s definitely my favorite when fresh cranberries are plentiful!
Such a marvelous salad for Thanksgiving! A real beauty. Hope you have a fabulous holiday! xo
Thank you, Liz!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Fantastic salad. My husband harvested his last bunch of Kale in early November and I tried this recipe. We both loved it. I did not have fresh cranberries so I used dried ones and instead of blending the dressing , I served it hot over the Kale. Very good!
So glad to know the dried cranberries worked like a charm! Thanks so much!
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Did anyone use curly kale with good results?
Hi Rhonda, I usually use Dino kale as I prefer the flavor, but it can be made with curly kale. I may just let it sit a little longer to tenderize a bit more. I hope that helps!
I made this salad tonight. It is excellent! We love the dressing, and the kale! Thanks for posting. :)
I can’t find fresh cranberries this time of year. Are you using 4oz by weight or volume?
Beautiful pictures! & love the cranberry vinaigrette!
This salad was delicious and since we always make the cranberries, a small portion can be set aside to make this vinaigrette. I will probably have this year round because we freeze extra cranberries. Kale is a delicious Thanksgiving addition – I also used to think it was bitter until I re-tried it.
I love kale and have 4 favorite go-to kale salads. I find that if you buy lacinato/dinasour kale it’s not bitter like the curly kale. I also massage my dressing into the kale (massage the kale like you would giving an actual massage) which helps to break it down. My kids and their friends (ages 12 and 8) love kale salads. They honestly taste like a normal salad. I think people are scared of kale, but once they try it, they end up loving it and end up using it over any other green. You also want to make sure that you buy tender kale as you stated, and not kale that has a paper-like texture, as that kale won’t absorb the dressing and will taste like paper.
I love this salad and will add it to my list. I might throw some aged cheddar or parmesan in there as I love a bit of cheese with my kale salads.
I love kale salads, and *adore* cranberry vinaigrettes like this! Will definitely be giving this a try sometime soon. :)
I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving with your family. This vinaigrette sounds wonderful.
You know I was drooling at this post & these photos the other day, but totally forgot to leave a comment, LOL! That’s how mesmerized I was,. This cranberry walnut kale salad with fresh cranberry vinaigrette is perfect for Thanksgiving! Must make this. Thanks for the recipe inspiration, Liren! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. I am grateful for your kind support & friendship always :-)
This looks absolutely delicious and so pretty! Can’t wait to try it.
Gorgeous, delicious, amazing… I’m in LOVE with this dish!! Kale has never looked so damn good!
There are many things I love – kale is one! As is adding fruit and nuts to almost any savory dish. This salad looks beautiful and the flavors perfect! I could even see this turned into a warm side dish! Beautiful!
Your salad is a marvelous antidote for the rich heavy foods of the traditional Thanksgiving feast. I imagine by next weekend we will be craving your Walnut Kale Salad with the splendid Cranberry Vinaigrette!
Definitely! With all the heavy foods we’ll be eating this week, I know I’ll be detoxing with lots of salads, too :)
Beautiful salad for Thanksgiving, I love the vinaigrette! Hope you had a relaxing vacation! :)
Thanks, Laura! It is so good to be back home and in my kitchen :) The vinaigrette is my favorite part!
Such a stunning salad!
Thank you so much, Marla!