Citrus Pomegranate Kale Salad
A vibrant and healthy salad featuring hearty kale, tart citrus, and sweet pomegranate arils, perfect for family meals or meal prep.
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 6 cups curly kale, stems removed and leaves thinly sliced About 1 large bunch
- 1-2 pieces seasonal fruits, chopped into bite-size pieces (options include orange segments, apple slices, or pomegranate arils) Choose from navel or blood oranges, Honeycrisp or Gala apples, or about 1 cup of pomegranate arils
Toasted Pepitas
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds Toast before serving
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice About 1 medium lemon
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard optional, for emulsification
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup optional, to balance acidity
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Optional Add-ins
- ⅓ to ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta Use one or the other
- thinly sliced red onion or shallot
- avocado slices or cubed roasted sweet potato
- 1 cup cooked quinoa or farro For extra heft
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash the kale well, dry it, remove the ribby stems, and thinly slice the leaves. Place the sliced kale in a large bowl.
- Add 1–2 teaspoons olive oil and a pinch of salt to the kale. Massage the leaves with your hands for 2–3 minutes until they darken and soften.
- Chop the seasonal fruits into bite-sized pieces and add them to the bowl with the kale.
Cooking
- Toast the pepitas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, or on a baking tray at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes.
- Make the lemon vinaigrette by combining lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard (if using), honey/maple syrup (if using), and salt and pepper in a small jar, and shake until emulsified.
Assembly
- Assemble the salad by sprinkling the toasted pepitas and pomegranate arils over the kale and fruit. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and toss gently.
- Serve immediately or let the salad sit for 20-30 minutes to meld flavors.
Notes
This salad serves 4 as a side or 2-3 as a main. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For long-term, store components separately to preserve texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 150mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5g
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