With this Blueberry Kale Crunch Salad, you can easily add some pizzazz to any meal. Brimming with fresh blueberries, diced apples, sunflower seeds, and crumbled feta cheese.
Why You'll Love This Blueberry Kale Crunch Salad Recipe
Enjoy this fall blueberry kale crunch salad when fresh, spring greens aren't in season. This salad is the perfect combination of sweet and tart, with the crunchy texture of the kale and blueberries perfectly balanced by the creamy dressing.
- Easy to make. This blueberry kale crunch salad can be easily put together in just a few minutes, and it holds up well so you can make it up ahead of time.
- Delicious. The combination of sweet and tart flavors is simply irresistible.
- Health. The kale is packed with vitamins and minerals, while the blueberries are a good source of antioxidants.
- Versatile. You can customize this salad to your liking by adding different toppings or dressings.
- Festive. The refreshing flavors of this kale and blueberry salad are perfect for autumn al fresco meals, entertaining, and holiday brunches and buffets.
Ingredients Overview
A mix of ruffled kale leaves, sunflower seed, and crunchy diced apples provide great texture while Craisins and crisp apples deliver zesty bursts of flavor. Plus blueberries come along for an added layer of sweetness that ties everything together deliciously!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Blueberry Kale Crunch Salad
This easy-to-make salad is full of nutrition and flavor that will keep you coming back for more! Plus, it's a healthy salad that won't bog you down after eating it - bonus! Ready to learn how this tasty salad comes together? Keep reading for more delicious details!
This simple balsamic salad dressing is fantastic on any salad, but it really complements the autumn apples, sunflower seeds, and blueberries perfectly.
Step 1: Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, brown sugar, and honey into a small bowl.
Step 2: Whisk the ingredients and combine well, until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 3: Wash the ruffled kale well, so any sandy soil trapped it rinsed out. You can also use a bag of pre-washed kale. Remove any tough stems and rough chop.
Step 4: Wash and cut apples in half, core, and then dice with the skins on.
Step 5: Heap the kale into a large shallow salad bowl, and then add the diced apples, blueberries, Craisins, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon.
Step 6: Toss well to combine, then garnish with the crumbled feta cheese. Dress with the vinaigrette, or serve it on the side with the blueberry kale salad at the table.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, or it can be served as a side dish to hearty soups like our Instant Pot Tortellini Soup or Butternut Squash and Leek Soup. This salad would also pair well with our Slow Cooker Rump Roast for a nice holiday meal.
It's the perfect way to round out balsamic grilled top sirloin steaks or a air fryer roasted chicken.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this kale crunch salad recipe.
- If you don't have any kale, you can substitute spinach or romaine lettuce.
- You can also add other fruits and vegetables to this salad, such as strawberries, raspberries, carrots, or cucumbers.
- Sliced almonds are a great substitute for sunflower seeds.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making the best blueberry kale crunch salad:
- Use pre-washed ruffled kale to save time.
- Real Bacon crumbles are great when you don't have time to cook freshly made bacon.
- Mix up the ingredients: try different nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and fresh fruits.
Storage Options
Here are a few tips on storing leftovers for this recipe:
- This blueberry kale salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Do not freeze, as the salad will be ruined.
Related Recipes
- Apple Celery Salad
- Watermelon Fruit Salad
- Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
- Green Pea Salad
- Italian Tomato Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
No, frozen blueberries will not have the fresh, crisp texture that goes with this salad.
Yes, you can use kale that has already been chopped. Just make sure to rinse it thoroughly before using it.
Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. Just assemble the salad without the dressing and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, add the dressing and toss to coat.
Easy Pork Dinners
Get The Recipe!
Blueberry Kale Crunch Salad
Equipment
- Large Shallow Salad Bowl
- Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker,
Ingredients
For Blueberry Kale Salad
- 8 cup Curly Kale Stems removed and chopped
- 2 medium Apples Cored and diced
- 2 cup Blueberries Fresh plump blueberries
- ½ cup Craisins Dried cranberries
- ¼ cup Sunflower seeds Salted and toasted
- ¼ cup Bacon Bits Real bacon
- ½ cup Feta crumbles
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Honey
Instructions
- Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, brown sugar, and honey into a small bowl.3 tablespoon Olive oil, 2 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoon Mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Honey
- Whisk the ingredients and combine well, until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Wash the ruffled kale well, so any sandy soil trapped it rinsed out. You can also use a bag of pre-washed kale.8 cup Curly Kale
- Remove the tough stems from the ruffled or curly kale and rough chop. Wash and cut apples in half, core, and then dice with the skins on.2 medium Apples
- Heap the kale into a large shallow salad bowl, and then add the diced apples, blueberries, Craisins, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon.2 cup Blueberries, ½ cup Craisins, ¼ cup Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup Bacon Bits
- Toss well to combine, then garnish with the crumbled feta cheese. Dress with the vinaigrette, or serve it on the side with the blueberry kale salad at the table.½ cup Feta crumbles
Notes
- Use pre-washed ruffled kale to save time.
- Real Bacon crumbles are great when you don't have time to cook freshly made bacon.
- Mix up the ingredients: try different nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and fresh fruits.
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