Winter Kale Pomegranate Pecans (Printable)

A colorful winter salad featuring kale, pomegranate seeds, pecans, and a citrusy dressing for a fresh meal.

# What You Need:

→ Greens

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (approximately 8 cups), stems removed, leaves chopped

→ Fruits & Nuts

02 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 medium pomegranate)
03 - 3/4 cup pecan halves, lightly toasted
04 - 1 medium apple, thinly sliced

→ Cheese (optional)

05 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (omit for vegan)

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
09 - 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and drizzle with a splash of olive oil. Massage leaves with hands for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and darkened.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Add pomegranate seeds, pecan halves, apple slices, and feta cheese (if using) to the kale.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all components evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or chill for up to 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The kale gets tender and almost sweet when you massage it, so you're not gnawing on tough leaves.
  • It comes together in 20 minutes but looks like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • The citrus dressing is bright enough to wake you up but not so heavy that it weighs you down.
  • It actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have mingled, so make extra.
02 -
  • Massaging the kale is non-negotiable—it's what transforms it from tough to tender, and it takes all of three minutes.
  • Make the dressing while the kale is still sitting with its pinch of salt, so the salt doesn't end up clumpy in your dressing.
  • If you're not eating this right away, keep the apple slices separate and toss them in at the very end, or they'll turn brown and mealy.
03 -
  • A tiny squeeze of pomegranate juice mixed into the dressing adds an extra layer of flavor that tastes like you planned it.
  • If your kale is really tough, massage it for a full five minutes or even make it the night before—it gets more tender as it sits.

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