Mimi's Organic Eats » Recipes » Salads » Simple Cranberry Kale Salad

Simple Cranberry Kale Salad

Lunch & Dinner • Gut Healthy • Salads • No Seed Oils • High Altitude • Fall • Thanksgiving | Published November 10, 2023 by Mimi Council

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Add some vibrant color to your Thanksgiving table this year with this Cranberry Kale Salad. Fresh cranberries, pumpkin seeds, apples, cabbage, red onion, and carrots are mixed with hearty kale leaves and tossed in a 3 ingredient citrus dressing.

If you’re looking for more Thanksgiving recipes, check out some of my other favorites like my Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes, Eggless Sourdough Pumpkin Pie, or my 5 Ingredient Turkey Rub.

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Health Benefits
Tools Needed
Step by Step Instructions
Tips
FAQ's
Craving More?

This Cranberry Kale Salad is a vibrant, nutrient-packed dish that’s as flavorful as it is nourishing! The base of the organic salad features kale, a powerhouse green rich in vitamins A, C, and K. Shredded purple cabbage adds a crisp crunch and a pop of color while contributing antioxidants and fiber. The sweet and tart cranberries provide delicious contrast, balancing the earthiness of the kale with a burst of natural sweetness. Grated carrots and thinly sliced red onions round out this healthy salad with fresh, zesty flavors and additional layers of texture.

For added texture and nutritional value, I add roasted and salted pumpkin seeds which offer a boost of magnesium and healthy fats while also being incredibly festive for Thanksgiving! I create a simple dressing for this healthy salad with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and just one simple spice mix. This ties everything together, adding richness and a tangy depth that complements this organic salad and all it's goodness. This Cranberry Kale Salad is perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for any meal, offering a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Gut Healthy: This Cranberry Kale Salad is a gut healthy side dish that will round out your Thanksgiving dinner. I make a 3 ingredient salad dressing that is easy and so delicious!

Vibrant Colors: Add some color to your Thanksgiving table! While most Thanksgiving dishes are indulgent, this vibrant organic salad will add beautiful color and loads of nutrients to your Thanksgiving.

Jimbo's Copycat: If you are a fan of Jimbo’s Naturally (health food store in Southern California) then you probably know about their delicious deli. And whenever I am out of town, I go there almost daily and I love all their kale salads. That’s where I got the inspiration for this Cranberry Kale Salad! I’ve also done a copycat recipe of their Kale Apple Salad. So, if you are a fan of their kale salads, then you’ll love this recipe!

Ingredients & Health Benefits

Kale: Organic kale is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, kale supports immunity, bone health, and fights inflammation.
Purple Cabbage: I love organic purple cabbage as it gives this salad crunch. It's also high in antioxidants and fiber, it promotes gut health and reduces inflammation.
Pumpkin Seeds: I use organic roasted and salted pumpkin seeds. Rich in magnesium and zinc, they support heart health, immune function, and better sleep.
Red Onion: Organic red onion has antioxidants like quercetin that boost heart health and improve gut microbiome balance.
Carrots: Organic carrots are high in beta-carotene, they enhance vision, support skin health, and boost immunity.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use organic extra virgin olive oil for the dressing. This is full of heart-healthy fats and polyphenols, it reduces inflammation and protects against chronic diseases.
Balsamic Vinegar: Organic balsamic vinegar mixed with EVOO makes the best simple and healthy dressing. Balsamic vinegar can aid in digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and supports heart health with antioxidants.
Cranberries: Promote urinary tract health and boost immunity with high levels of vitamin C and phytonutrients.
Spices: I use FreshJax Organic Citrus Spice Blend for the dressing. This blend gives this salad so much flavor in just one simple ingredient!

Tools Needed

Mixing Bowl: All you need is a large mixing bowl to toss and serve this salad in.

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Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, add the kale leaves, chopped cabbage, carrots, cranberries, red onion, apple, and pumpkin seeds.

Step 2

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar on top. Sprinkle with the Citrus Pepper Blend seasoning. Toss, taste, and add more olive oil, balsamic, or seasoning to your liking.

Tips

Make sure to remove stems from the kale leaves if you buy leaves in a bag. The stems are not as pleasant to eat, even though you can eat them.
I used purple cabbage here, but you can also use green cabbage if you like. Either one will work!
I used the large grater to grate the carrots, think pizza cheese size.
I used Somerset apples, which is a slightly sweet and tart apple. Other similar varieties would be Pink Cripps, Fuji, or Gala.
I used fresh cranberries in this salad. But if you want to use dried cranberries you can also do that too and it is also delicious!

FAQ's

Can I use another kind of lettuce?

Yes! If you want to use another type of lettuce you can use a spring mix with spinach and butter lettuce, you could use Romaine lettuce, or even iceberg if you want. You can even do a mix of any of these.

Can I use other veggies?

Absolutely, if you want to swap out some of the veggies with ones that are more easily available to you or even that you have in your fridge, feel free to do so!

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, if you plan to make this ahead of time on Thanksgiving, be sure to just prep the salad and don't dress it. Just wrap the salad bowl in plastic wrap or use a lid for your glass bowl and place in the fridge up to a day in advance. Then, before serving, just dress the salad. This way it won't become soggy with the dressing sitting on there for a longer period of time.