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🍁 Easy Kale Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing
This kale salad with honey mustard dressing is fresh, colorful, and full of fall flavor. It’s made with sliced red pears, crispy bacon, dried cranberries, and creamy honey goat cheese, then topped with glazed honey almonds for crunch.
A drizzle of homemade honey mustard dressing adds the perfect sweet and tangy finish. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or prepping weekday lunches, this salad is a delicious way to enjoy kale.
🥗 Why You’ll Love This Kale Salad
- Quick to make: only 15 minutes from prep to table.
- Sturdy & travel-friendly: kale holds up beautifully without wilting.
- Sweet and savory: perfect balance of flavors for fall meals.
- Make-ahead magic: ideal for potlucks, meal prep, or festive dinners.
🌿 About Kale
Kale is the ultimate cool-weather green, hearty, nutritious, and versatile. You can sauté it with garlic and olive oil, stir it into soups, or make it the star of a salad like this one.
Because kale is tougher than lettuce, it benefits from a quick massage. Strip the leaves from the center stem, slice them into ribbons, then drizzle with lime juice and gently massage for a minute. This softens the fibers and brings out a mild, almost buttery texture.
💛 The Perfect Fall Combo
Here’s what makes this salad shine:
- Fresh kale as the hearty base.
- Sweet pears for juicy contrast.
- Crispy bacon for that irresistible crunch.
- Honey goat cheese for creamy tang.
- Dried cranberries for a pop of tart sweetness.
- Glazed honey almonds for nutty caramelized crunch.
Everything is finished with a drizzle of simple, homemade honey mustard dressing that ties it all together, sweet, tangy, and a little bit zippy.
Kale Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing
This kale salad is topped with a simple homemade honey mustard dressing.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1/2 bunch kale leaves, stripped from their stems
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 pear, sliced
- 4-oz goat cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 4 ounces glazed honey almonds
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
For the salad:
- Slice the kale into ribbons, then put it into a large mixing bowl with the lime juice. Using your hand, massage the kale for a minute to help break down the fibers and make it more tender. Transfer it to a platter.
- Arrange all the other ingredients on top and give it a slight toss. Drizzle the honey mustard dressing on top of the salad, and leave any extra on the table for guests to use as needed.
For the dressing:
- Put all the ingredients in a small mason jar and secure the lid. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, or until the liquids emulsify.
Notes
Store any leftover dressing in the fridge for up to a week.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 450mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 6g🧡 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Keep dressing in a sealed jar for up to one week.
- The salad travels well, perfect for potlucks or picnics!
❓ FAQ
Yes! Assemble everything except the dressing. Add it just before serving for the best texture.
Absolutely. Feta or blue cheese both add a nice tangy bite.
Swap in toasted pecans or smoked almonds for a similar flavor kick.
🍯 Love this kale salad with honey mustard dressing? Pin it for later so you can bring those cozy fall flavors back any time of year! 🍁
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