Autumn Kale Salad with Warm Pumpkin Vinaigrette

Autumn Kale Salad – a nutritious hearty salad that’s tart, sweet, and crunchy. Drizzle it with this creamy dairy free Warm Pumpkin Vinaigrette!

This simple lunch just screams fall and it won’t give you that afternoon food coma.  This Autumn Kale Salad with Warm Pumpkin Vinaigrette would also be the perfect start to a heartier meal.

Protein packed from pumpkin seeds and pecans, tart and sweet from apples and dried cranberries, bursting with vitamins and minerals from kale, and if that’s not enough, high in antioxidants from pumpkin and apple cider vinegar in the vinaigrette, this salad will make you healthier just by looking at it! Well, okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it sure is healthy choice if you eat it and, luckily, it’s as delicious as it is nutritious.

I didn’t really measure the salad ingredients as I was throwing them in the bowl, but I’ll do my best here to give you a general idea. It doesn’t really matter though, throw in more nuts or seeds if you like or lessen those and up the amount of fruit…however you like your salad.  The dressing amounts are exact, but you probably won’t use it all. Leftover dressing will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.

Autumn Kale Salad

I hope you love this Autumn Kale Salad as much as I do. If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!

5 from 4 votes

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Autumn Kale Salad with Warm Pumpkin Vinaigrette

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

3 mins

Total Time

13 mins

 

Autumn Kale Salad - a nutritious hearty salad that's tart, sweet, and crunchy. Drizzle it with this creamy dairy free Warm Pumpkin Vinaigrette!

Course: Salad

Cuisine: dairy free, egg free, gluten free, refined sugar free, soy free, vegan

Servings: 4

Calories: 251 kcal

Author: Jenn S.

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 bunch curly kale (chopped into bite size pieces)
• 1/3 cup raw pecans (chopped)
• 1/3 cup raw pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 2 apples (sliced)

Dressing - makes about 1 1/2 cups

• 1/3 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp shallot (minced)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine pumpkin puree, vinegar, maple syrup, shallot, salt and pepper in a small sauce pot. Mix well.
2. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking continuously.
3. Heat on the stove over med-low for a few minutes to warm, whisking often.
4. While the dressing is warming, put all of your salad ingredients into a large bowl and toss well to combine.
5. When dressing is warmed through, take off heat and pour over salad. (You certainly don't have to use it all. Use as much or as little dressing as you like. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple days). Toss everything together to combine.
6. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Autumn Kale Salad with Warm Pumpkin Vinaigrette

Amount Per Serving

Calories 251 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15g 23%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 9g

Sodium 307mg 13%

Potassium 151mg 4%

Total Carbohydrates 30g 10%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 18g

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 116%

Vitamin C 47%

Calcium 8%

Iron 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Loaded Veggie Chopped Kale Salad w/ Tangy Mustard Vinaigrette

Roasted Cauliflower Salad