Pioneer Woman Winter Salad Recipe

This delicious Pioneer Woman Winter Salad is a quick and nutritious meal perfect for chilly days. Packed with fresh kale, roasted butternut squash, and candied pecans, it’s a simple yet flavorful dish. You can easily swap ingredients like the goat cheese or apples to suit what you have on hand!

Recipe Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 6 oz. shredded kale
• 1/2 small lemon, juiced
• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 oz. shredded vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, or carrots)
• 2 medium apples, cored and diced
• 1 1/2 cups candied pecans
• 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese
• 1 1/2 cups roasted butternut squash
• 1/2 cup pomegranate arils

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 4 tsp. whole grain or Dijon mustard
• 4 tsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

How To Make Winter Salad Recipe

1. Massage the Kale: Place the shredded kale in a large bowl, drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Massage the mixture into the kale for about 1 minute until the greens soften and become a deeper green color.
2. Add Other Vegetables and Apples: To the kale, add the shredded vegetables and diced apples, then toss to combine.
3. Prepare the Dressing: In a mason jar, combine the red wine vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Seal and shake for about 30 seconds until the dressing is emulsified.
4. Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well combined.
5. Top the Salad: Add the candied pecans, crumbled goat cheese, roasted butternut squash, and pomegranate arils on top. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Massage the Kale Well: Take your time massaging the kale with lemon juice and olive oil for at least one minute. This softens the kale and removes its bitterness, making it tastier and easier to eat.
• Roast the Squash Until Crispy: Make sure the butternut squash is roasted until it’s soft and lightly crispy on the edges. This adds a nice texture and flavor to the salad.
• Use Fresh, Crisp Apples: Choose firm, crisp apples for the best crunch in the salad. Avoid overripe apples, as they can become mushy when tossed with the dressing.
• Make the Dressing in Advance: Prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge. It will let the flavors develop and make assembling the salad faster when you’re ready to serve.
• Top with Pecans Right Before Serving: Add the candied pecans just before serving to keep them crunchy. If they sit too long on the salad, they may lose their crunch.

How To Store Leftovers

Store leftovers winter salad in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 198 kcal
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 60mg
• Potassium: 442mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 21g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 4g

More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Waldorf Salad​
• Pioneer Woman Brussel Sprout Salad​
• Pioneer Woman Panzanella Salad​
• Pioneer Woman Heirloom Tomato Salad​
• Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Potato Salad