Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (2024)

By: Krista

  • 30
  • GF
  • KF

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Rating★★★★★ 5 from 2 votes

Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (1)

A Summer Kale Salad Recipe that will blow your mind! Filled with fresh cherries and blueberries for some sweet then countered with salty bacon and feta. Perfect for a backyard bbq party this summer!

It’s all about perspective!

The news these days has been lighting up with major headlines. Bruce Jenner changing to Caitlyn Jenner and getting a front page feature on Vanity Fair. The United States legalizing same sex marriage. The horrific shooting at the church in Charleston, South Carolina that killed nine people including the pastor.

It’seasy to get caught up in the those headlines and lots of people tend to take “sides” on these and many other topics. I’m sure you’ve heard those “sides” or opinions if you’ve watched the news or been on the internet. While I think there’s value in stating your beliefs I think what’s ultimately most important is how we treat each other and how much energy we invest in loving each other.

Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (2)

Overall we are called to love not judge. Only God has the final say. So why spin our wheels arguing over who is right or wrong and trying to get our “opinion” out there. Instead lets spend all that energy loving the person in front of us for who they are! Who knows, maybe that unrelenting non judgmental love will pierce through someones heart and completely alter their life. Isn’t that what Jesus did anyways?

He invited the most hated of the town into his home and ate dinner with them, he loved the downcast, saved the prostitute, and healed the sick. That is life changing love, the kind that pierces through society and completely trancends time! Thats the kind of love I want to show to other people!

Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (3)

Let’s love and let God take care of the rest!

It’s all about perspective. Instead of fixing our eyes on the things that could cause us fear, anxiety, or anger – lets fix our eyes on Jesus and all those things will dull in comparison! Just some words of encouragement today!

Love you sweet friends!

Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (4)

Ok, let’s move on to the food business for today! Shall we?

Since 4th of July is right around the corner, I thought I would come up with a fun Red, White, and Blue recipe for you! I was realizing that I didn’t have to many “festive” recipes on JHE so I thought it was waranted.

On a side note, I just posted a roundup on Parade’s online magazine with 17 Healthy Dessert Recipes for the 4th of July – make sure you grab it so your ready for this weekend!

Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (5)

This Cherry Summer Kale Salad recipe was inspired by all the yummy fresh fruit that is bountiful right now! I threw every fruit I could think of into this gorgeous salad! It is filled with fresh cherries, blueberries, BACON (yes), feta cheese, pecans, and granny smith apples!

The sweet salty combo of this salad will blow your mind and the nutritional value is an added bonus! The fresh vibrant tastes and colors will make it a hit at your next party! I hope it makes a debut this weekend, I know it will at mine!

Bon Appetite!

Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (6)

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Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (7)

Cherry Summer Kale Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Yield: 6-8 1x
  • Category: Salad, Gluten Free, Side Dishes
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

A Summer Kale Salad Recipe filled with fresh cherries, sweet blueberries, salty bacon, and creamy feta. Perfect for a backyard bbq party this summer!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 6 cups kale leaves, massaged
  • 6 strips bacon, diced
  • 1 cup cherries, halved (seeds removed)
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced granny smith apple
  • 1/4 cup pecan pieces

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon dy basil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • salt & pepper to season

Instructions

  1. Massage torn kale leaves with a bit of sea salt. (see these instructions)
  2. Heat a medium saute pan to medium high heat, add bacon and cook fro 5 minutes until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel to let grease drain.
  3. In a small bowl add dijon mustard, honey, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk to emulsify (so the oil and vinegar are no longer separated).
  4. In a large bowl add kale, bacon, cherries, blueberries, feta cheese, apples, and pecan pieces.
  5. Serve dressing on the side or toss in at the last minute.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 236
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 305 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 16 mg

Filed Under:

  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Easy Healthy Dinners
  • Gluten-Free
  • Holiday
  • Kid Friendly
  • Quick
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes

IF YOU MAKE ONE OF THESE RECIPES, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT#JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!

Want More Recipes for a Backyard BBQ Party?

Caribbean Grilled Salmon Kabobs

Light Easy Potato Salad with Mustard Thyme Sauce

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (11)

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Sweet & Salty Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing - Easy Summer Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Does kale get soggy with dressing? ›

Does kale get soggy after adding dressing? No! That's the beauty of kale. You can prep this simple kale salad up to an hour before serving it and it will still be crunchy and delicious.

How to make Ariana Grande salad? ›

🥬 Now, wash and dry the spinach and strawberries, slice them and then add them to a bowl. Add in the pitted and diced dates and edamame. 🍋 Add the crispy baked tofu and then drizzle the salad with olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic glaze. Enjoy!

Can you soften kale for salad? ›

By massaging it for as little as 2-3 minutes with a little oil and/or lemon juice, it becomes more tender, making it easier to chew and digest. The other reason is to infuse the kale with more flavor before the dressing is added.

How far in advance should you dress a kale salad? ›

Kale salad can be made ahead – prep it the night before and pack it in lunches the next day. Unlike tossed salad, I love how leftover kale salad (even with dressing) can be kept in the fridge without getting soggy!

What kind of kale is best for salad? ›

Kale Salad Recipe Ingredients

Any type of kale will work here. I especially like to use curly kale, but feel free to swap in Tuscan kale (aka lacinato kale) if you prefer. Extra-virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice – You'll massage them into the raw kale to help the leaves soften.

Can you eat kale raw in a salad? ›

Often labeled as a superfood, kale is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. This leafy green comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and textures. It's often eaten raw in salads and smoothies but can also be enjoyed steamed, sautéed, boiled, or baked.

Do you eat kale stems? ›

You can definitely eat kale stems! Sure, they're not the tastiest. Or easiest to eat. But, they're packed with nutrition and can add some valuable green to a stir fry, grain bowl, or frittata.

How do you keep kale from getting soggy? ›

Don't wash kale until you're ready to eat it. If the kale is store bought and wet when you bring it home, pat it dry with a towel. By assuring it's dry before you place in the refrigerator you will extend it's freshness!

How do you keep salad greens from getting soggy? ›

Too much moisture is what causes leafy greens to turn soft and rot.
  1. Buy only fresh greens. ...
  2. If you repackage, use an airtight container and line it with a paper towel to collect excess moisture. ...
  3. Store leafy greens in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, set to high humidity. ...
  4. Don't wash your pre-washed greens.
Oct 20, 2023

How do you keep kale crispy? ›

To keep them crispy, it is important to let them cool completely. Once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You could also try adding a few grains of raw rice or silica packs (like those found in store-bought kale chips) to the airtight container. & Perfect for snacking!

How long can kale stay dressed? ›

*STORAGE: You can keep this simple massaged kale in an airtight container or bowl in the fridge for about 3-4 days. The longer it sits, the softer and more flavourful it will get! *MASSAGED KALE SALAD RECIPES: Here are my favourite massaged kale salad recipes from the blog: Simple Kale Apple Walnut Salad With Parmesan.

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