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.

What goes well with kale? ›

Kale is a great green veggie that mixes with many things: Cranberry, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, Bluberries, strawberries, raspberries, almonds, cashews, Spring mix lettuce. Steak, salmon, Chicken.

How do you make kale taste better? ›

“Minced garlic, olive oil, and salt are also simple ingredients that can transform the flavor of a bitter kale dish. ' “Cutting the stem of kale and marinating it with olive oil and salt can help reduce bitterness.”

What is the most delicious way to eat kale? ›

  1. 01 of 10. Add It to Homemade Hummus. Jennifer Causey. ...
  2. 02 of 10. Stir It Into Soups. ...
  3. 03 of 10. Sneak It Into Pesto. ...
  4. 04 of 10. Blend It Into a Smoothie. ...
  5. 05 of 10. Bake Some Crispy Kale Chips. ...
  6. 06 of 10. Fold It Into Eggs, Quiches, and Frittatas. ...
  7. 07 of 10. Sprinkle It on Pizza. ...
  8. 08 of 10. Wilt It Down for a Steak-House-Worthy Side.
Jul 20, 2023

Is kale good for your stomach? ›

Leafy greens, such as spinach or kale, are excellent sources of fiber, as well as nutrients like folate, vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin A. Research shows that leafy greens also contain a specific type of sugar that helps fuel growth of healthy gut bacteria.

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

Dress the kale and toss with nuts and cranberries: A half hour to an hour or two before serving, toss the kale together with the toasted pine nuts, the dried cranberries, and the dressing, allowing the kale to marinate a bit.

Can you dress kale in advance? ›

Kale offers the make-ahead cook a great option for a salad. Because kale is notoriously tough and fibrous, it actually benefits from being prepared ahead. In fact it may be the only leafy green salad you can dress hours in advance.

Can you dress kale the night before? ›

Kale salads stand up so well to the dressing that they can even be eaten as a leftover the next day. (If you have ever tried to eat leftover dressed salad made with baby lettuce or arugula…or just about any other salad green… before, you probably don't believe this.)

Why is my kale soggy? ›

Kale that's yellowed a little bit is still safe to eat. But if you start to notice a sulfur or rotten egg smell, it's time to throw your kale out. The kale leaves will also become soggy and slimy. At that point, your kale is past reviving.

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