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Best Sweet Kale Salad

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This sweet kale salad was inspired by the popular sweet kale salad kit that you can buy at almost any grocery store. I created my homemade version with a simple poppyseed dressing. This kale salad is crunchy, sweet and loaded with nutrition. You are going to love it!

Sweet kale salad mixed with poppyseed dressing in a white salad bowl with wood serving spoons in the bowl with it.

I love to keep a sweet kale salad kit mix on hand in my fridge for whipping up salad fast as a healthy side for our weeknight meals. The bagged kale salad kit you can buy at almost any grocery store includes shredded kale and brussels sprouts, broccoli slaw, dried cranberries, sometimes cabbage, peppitas and a sweet poppyseed dressing. It is so good!

You may also love this popular kale and brussels sprouts salad. 

This homemade sweet kale salad can be made quickly and is just as impressive and delicious. My version includes shredded kale, broccoli slaw, thinly cut brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, peppitas and a fast homemade poppyseed dressing that is naturally sweetened. 

Why you’ll love this sweet kale salad recipe

  • The best crunchy, sweet and creamy kale salad
  • Quick and easy to whip up!
  • Crowd pleaser
  • Goes with almost any main dish
  • Kids love it too!

You may also love my other kale salads like this viral easy kale salad with lemon and this kale quinoa salad. 

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Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this sweet kale salad with poppyseed dressing. 

Ingredients for sweet kale salad in bowl with labels over each ingredient.
  • Kale – you can use green curly kale or flat lacinato kale in this recipe. I used lacinato (dinosaur) kale. Just make sure you wash and dry the kale really well and massage it. Check out this post on how to prep kale. 
  • Brussels sprouts – thinly sliced or shredded brussels sprouts add a nice crunch to this salad. You can slice or shred your own or buy pre shredded brussels sprouts at the store. 
  • Broccoli slaw – is a bagged mix (shredded broccoli stems, shredded cabbage and shredded carrots) you can find near the shredded cabbage at your local grocery store. Shredded cabbage also works fine. 
  • Peppitas – I used roasted and salted peppitas for more flavor but you could also use unsalted pepitas or pecans. 
  • Dried cranberries – I prefer unsweetened dried cranberries but either will work. Dried currents also work great!
  • Poppyseed dressing – Greek yogurt, light mayo, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, poppy seeds, salt and pepper. 

Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions and nutrition in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

How To Make A Sweet Kale Salad

This homemade sweet kale salad kit recipe is easy to make and is almost as fast as using the bagged salad kit. It is so good and will be your new go-to salad. 

Hand massaging kale in a white bowl.

Step 1: Prep and massage the kale then let it rest for a few minutes.

Mixing poppyseed dressing in a glass bowl with a yellow whisk.

Step 2: Add the poppyseed dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk well to fully combine.

Kale slaw salad in a bowl with dried cranberries, pepitas and shaved Brussels sprouts.

Step 3: Arrange the rest of the salad ingredients (Brussels sprouts, broccoli slaw, pepitas, dried cranberries) in the salad bowL with the kale.

Pouring poppyseed dressing onto salad in a large white bowl.

Step 4: Add the dressing

Homemade sweet kale salad kit topped with creamy poppyseed dressing in a white bowl.

Step 5: Pour it evenly over the entire salad.

Mixed and dressed Brussels slaw salad with kale in a white bowl with serving spoons in the bowl and plates and a linen in front of it.

Step 6: Toss and serve.

Recipe tips and notes

  • You can use shredded cabbage in place of the brussels sprouts if needed. 
  • If you cannot find the broccoli slaw then use a combination of chopped broccoli florets, shredded carrots and shredded red or green cabbage. 
  • I think the homemade poppyseed dressing makes this salad incredible but if you need to use a store-bought poppyseed dressing then I would use Brianna’s Poppyseed Dressing. 

Make this kale salad ahead of time

This sweet kale salad is great to make ahead. Make the dressing and prep the rest of the ingredients. Store them separately in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before you assemble and serve. 

Kale salad with Brussels sprouts and poppyseeds dressing mixed in a salad bowl with wood serving spoons in the bowl with it.

Storage

Since this kale salad is made with sturdy, hearty greens it stores very well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Ways to serve sweet kale salad

We love to serve this salad with a simple protein like chicken or salmon but it is also great served as a side with burgers or even meatloaf.

More Delicious Kale Salads

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Did you try this homemade sweet kale salad recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out

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Sweet kale salad mixed with poppyseed dressing in a white salad bowl with wood serving spoons in the bowl with it.

Best Sweet Kale Salad

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  • Author: Amy Estes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This homemade sweet kale salad combines hearty kale, shaved Brussels sprouts, broccoli slaw, dried cranberries, pepitas and a quick poppyseed dressing for a wonderfully delicious salad everyone will love!

Ingredients

Scale

For the kale salad

  • 2 cups shredded kale
  • 2 cups thinly sliced or shaved Brussels sprouts 
  • 2 cups broccoli slaw
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • ⅔ cup pepitas – roasted and salted

For the poppyseed dressing

  • ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup light mayo
  • 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoons lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon round black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions

  1. Add the shredded kale to the bowl you will be serving the salad in (I recommend a large salad bowl). Drizzle the kale with olive oil or water and use your hands to massage it for 1-2 minutes to break it down, then let it rest for a few minutes. 
  2. Make the poppyseed dressing – add all of the dressing ingredients (Greek yogurt, mayo, vinegar, lemon juice and zest, maple syrup, salt and pepper) to a medium bowl and whisk well to fully combine then whisk in the poppy seeds. 
  3. Add the rest of the salad ingredients to the bowl with the kale. Pour the dressing evenly over the salad. 
  4. Toss the salad well to coat everything in the amazing dressing and serve!

Notes

  • You can use curly kale or dark lacinato (dinosaur) kale.
  • If you cannot find broccoli slaw then use a combination of chopped broccoli, shredded carrots and shredded red or purple cabbage. 
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. 
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Quick and easy salads
  • Method: No cook
  • Cuisine: American
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