Warm Kale Winter Salad

Our bodies crave warming nourishing foods in the winter. I  can’t stomach eating cold salads very often in the winter, but still want veggie-heavy meals, so insert this warm kale salad. An easy way to use up your leftovers in a flavorful dish. This salad shines with winter fruit and an easy three ingredients maple-mustard salad dressing.

This salad comes together beautifully with a rainbow of colors and can easily be customized to what you have on hand or even made vegan. Warm kale winter salad is a healthy gluten-free, dairy-free, lunch or dinner that is so delicious you will want to make it again and again. 

• Warm kale winter salad is a salad that is made for cold winter days
• Warm and full of veggies and nutrients
• Enjoy winter produce in this yummy salad
• Gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based
• A healthy meal for lunch or dinner
• Can easily meal prep and throw together for a healthy meal

• Kale: the base of this salad that is filled with vitamins and aids in digestion
• Onions: I suggest sweet Vidalia onions for this salad
• Chicken sausage: a good source of protein or you can sub chickpeas, lentils, or tofu if vegan
• Sweet potatoes or butternut squash: great source of vitamins, fiber, and good for skin health
• Pomegranate seeds: help to reduce inflammation and are filled with fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K
• Orange segments: boost immunity and a good source of fiber and vitamin C
• Walnuts: a heart-healthy fat that helps to support balanced blood sugar and adds crunch

• This salad is great for using up leftovers or making your meal prep into something fresh.  I typically don’t measure out my veggies or sausage, I just toss in an amount that looks good to me.
• Feel free to switch up the veggies and protein with what you have on hand.
• You can swap walnuts with another nut or seed.
• Are you vegan? Easily trade out the chicken sausage for chickpeas, lentils, or tofu.
• I made this recipe using ingredients I meal-prepped. However, you can easily sauté onion and sausage then add in the other ingredients once cooked.

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Warm Kale Winter Salad

Winter fruit shines in the warm kale salad! Warm kale winter salad is the perfect way to get in veggies when you are craving warm and cozy meals.  

5 from 4 votes

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Course Main Course

Ingredients

  

Salad

• 2 cups chopped kale
• 1/4 cup sautéed onions
• 1 serving of sautéed chicken sausage (your favorite brand)
• 1/2 cup roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes
• 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
• 1 small peeled orange or clementine
• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts

Dressing

• 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

 

• Heat up a pan to medium heat
• Peel orange 
• Mix your dressing in a small dish and set it to the side
• Add a little oil to your pan to prevent sticking
• Add your sautéed onions, chicken sausage (or vegan substitute such as chickpeas), squash or sweet potatoes to the pan and sauté on the stove for about 3-5 minutes stirring occasionally
• Add your chopped kale and mix until wilted
• Pour dressing over kale salad and mix to coat
• Remove from heat and sprinkle on pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and salt and pepper to your taste

Notes

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review below and don’t forget to tag @lauralivewell 

Keyword kale, pasta salad, winter

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