This is truly one of my favorite things to make for lunch or dinner or anytime because I am obsessed. For years when I would go to Whole Foods with my mom we would always get the Kale, Brussels Sprouts & Almonds Salad. It was one of our favorites and I don’t know why it took me until this past month to realize I could save so much money by making it on my own. Not to mention the loooooonnnggg list of ingredients in the dressing that isn’t necessary– so I thought lets HGHF this recipe and low and behold. This Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad is THE REAL DEAL! Deliciously easy homemade mustard vinaigrette and nutritious ingredients, you all are going to love this recipe! Make this recipe for an easy healthy dinner, lunch or scrumptious side dish for your next get together. Let’s get started shall we?!
What Makes the Mustard Vinaigrette in the Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad soooo good?
Nothing is better than making your own dressings, I truly believe that. Dressings are such a pitfall when it comes to trying to find great food to fuel your body. They are constantly filled with lots of sugar, preservatives and artificial flavors. My biggest advice always read the ingredients, even if it says “organic” or “natural” on the front. So when it doubt, we make our own! Also it tastes 20X better when you make it at home. I am so excited to share this recipe with you guys because I feel like it tastes very much like the one from Whole Foods. Obviously, I don’t have their recipe, but I love how it goes perfectly with this salad!
Easy Mustard Vinaigrette
- 8 tsp of light olive oil
- 4 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp of honey
- juice of 2 lemons
- 2 small cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup diced shallots
- salt & pepper to taste (start with 1/2 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper)
Directions:
Add the above to immersion blender safe container & blend until fully incorporated/creamy.
What Other Simple Ingredients Do We Need for the Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad?
The thing that is magical about this salad is that Brussel Sprouts & Kale maybe sometime get a bad rep. They are two things that are very hit or miss with people. However, the key to this salad that changes the game and truly makes you FORGET you are eating Kale & Brussel Sprouts (Even though I love the taste of them lol) is letting the salad marinade overnight. The acidic elements like the lemon juice in the Easy Mustard Vinaigrette actually softens the kale to where it isn’t overpowering.
Curly Kale
Does it need to be curly kale? Yes, there is a difference 🙂 Make sure that you get Curly Kale for this recipe its leaves are perfect when chopped for this salad.
Brussel Sprouts
Sweetened Cranberries
Sliced Almonds
Make sure they are thinly sliced almonds in this recipe, you do not want whole almonds in your salad. Majority of the grocery stores have already sliced almonds in the nuts isle.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Make sure you get shredded parmesan not grated. You want the thin shreds of parmesan in the salad for ultimate taste!
What is so Nutritious about the Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad?
Needless to say this healthy delicious dinner & lunch salad is nutrient packed. Check out how powerful the ingredients in this Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad are!
Kale Health Benefits
- One of the most nutrient dense foods on the plant
- Loaded with power antioxidants
- Great source of vitamin C
- One of the best sources for Vitamin K which helps with blood clotting
- Packed with healthy source of minerals
- Weight loss friendly food
Brussel Sprout Health Benefits
- High in nutrients
- Rich in antioxidants
- Packed with fiber
- For those that don’t eat seafood– Brussel Sprouts are are great plant based source of omega 3 fatty acids!
- May reduce inflammation
Almond Health Benefits
- High in healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber and proteins
- Packed with antioxidants
- High in Vitamin E
- Assists with blood sugar level
- Can help lower cholesterol
- Reduce hunger & effective for weight loss
Cranberry Health Benefits
- Super rich in Vitamin C
- Low in calories, while providing essential dietary fibers & proteins
- High in Vitamin B to regulate metabolism
Parmesan Health Benefits
- One of the healthiest cheeses for you! It is packed with protein and calcium, which help your body metabolize fat. Also it is low in lactose so those with dairy intolerances have a better time eating Parmesan than other cheeses.
Watch How Easy It Is to Make Below!
How to make the Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad
Directions:
- Chop your curly kale into bite sizes pieces ( 1 head curly kale, about 5 cups tightly packed) and add to large mixing bowl
- Then chop your Brussel sprouts into thin rounds and then some you can shred with your knife as well. Depends what kind of bite sized pieces you prefer. Next you will add those to the bowl
- After pour your dried cranberries, sliced almonds & parmesan cheese on top
- Next take 2 big mixing spoons and toss the dried ingredients. Then you will pour your homemade Mustard Vinaigrette over it and mix it throughly
- Cover and refrigerate overnight. That is KEY. You must refrigerate over night. It will taste good, but not FANTASTIC until you let the flavors meld over night, the kale soften by the dressing. All the flavors need to meld, trust me, you will be beyond glad you did!
- Then serve!!
What Other HGHF Salad Recipes You Need to Make
Simple and Delicious BLT Pasta Salad
Easy Copy Cat Dewey’s House Salad
The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad
Healthy Southwest Flank Steak Salad
Modern Greek Salad
Questions when making the Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad
Do I have to use Curly Kale– is there really a difference between Curly Kale & other Kales?
Yes it needs to be the Curly Kale. Curly Kale is the one you typically think of when you think of Kale. Lighter Green, with leaves that curl inward. This is different from other forms of Kale like Red Russian or Lacinato (Also known as Dino kale). They each have their own unique texture & taste. Therefore, for this recipe we want the Curly Kale consistency!
Is marinating the Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad overnight really necessary?
110% YES! No joke. You cannot skip this step.
Can I use regular olive oil instead of light olive oil in the Easy Mustard Vinaigrette?
You need to use a light oil like this one by Bertolli from Target. If not use another form of olive oil that is not strong in taste.
How long does the Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad keep in the fridge?
It will keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge
What is the best way to store Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad?
Store in an air tight container for the best results!
Can I use another cheese besides Parmesan?
I would say you could, but need to stick with similar consistency and taste. A stronger cheese like shredded asiago would be a good fit!
Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad
Equipment
- Immersion Blender
Ingredients
Easy Mustard Vinaigrette
- 8 tbsp of light olive oil
- 4 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp honey
- juice of 2 lemons
- 2 small cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup diced shallots
- salt & pepper to taste start with 1/2 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper
Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad
- 5 cups of tightly packed Curly Kale chopped into bite sized pieces about 1 head of curly Kale
- 10 Brussel Sprouts
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
Easy Mustard Vinaigrette
- Add the above ingredients to immersion blender safe container & blend until fully incorporated/creamy.
Healthy Kale, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Salad
- Chop your curly kale into bite sizes pieces ( 1 head curly kale, about 5 cups tightly packed) and add to large mixing bowl
- Then chop your Brussel sprouts into thin rounds and then some you can shred with your knife as well. Depends what kind of bite sized pieces you prefer. Next you will add those to the bowl
- After pour your dried cranberries, sliced almonds & parmesan cheese on top
- Next take 2 big mixing spoons and toss the dried ingredients. Then you will pour your homemade Mustard Vinaigrette over it and mix it throughly
- Cover and refrigerate overnight. That is KEY. You must refrigerate over night. It will taste good, but not FANTASTIC until you let the flavors meld over night, the kale soften by the dressing. All the flavors need to meld, trust me, you will be beyond glad you did!
- Then serve!!
If you are prepping this to eat throughout the week do you still put the dressing on all at once?
Yes!! What is so nice is the dressing marinates the kale & the kales texture makes it hold up so well!
Outstanding!!! Easy, healthy, amazing dressing….so good!
ah yay!! so glad you love it— one of our favorites!!
This salad is easy to make and absolutely delicious! I like the fact that you can prepare 100% of this ahead of time as well and eat it at a later time. I grilled chicken and added it on top of the salad to make it my dinner meal. I will definitely make this again!
ah yes!! that is one of my favorite parts about it too, thank you so much for sharing!!