Winter Kale Pomegranate Pecans (Print)
Hearty kale tossed with pomegranate, pecans, apple, and citrus dressing for a fresh winter meal.
# What You Need:
→ Greens
01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (approximately 8 cups), stems removed, 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 option)
→ 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 Make:
01 - Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt and a splash of olive oil. Massage the kale for 2 to 3 minutes until it softens and darkens in color.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Add pomegranate seeds, toasted pecan halves, sliced apple, and crumbled feta (if using) to the massaged kale.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all components evenly.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately or chill up to one hour before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Kale gets genuinely silky and tender when massaged—no more chewy texture holding you back.
- The citrus dressing is bright enough to make you forget it's winter outside.
- Pomegranate and pecans turn an everyday salad into something that feels special on a regular Tuesday.
02 -
- Massaging the kale isn't optional or fancy—it's the difference between a salad that tastes refined and one that tastes raw and defensive.
- If you dress the salad too far ahead, the kale will soften and the pecans will lose their crunch, so timing matters here.
03 -
- Toast your pecans yourself in a dry skillet for exactly three minutes—store-bought toasted nuts fade in flavor and turn rancid faster than you'd expect.
- If pomegranates feel impossible to open, slice them in half over a bowl of water and pick out the seeds; they'll float to the surface while the bitter white pith sinks.