- This fiber-packed salad contains a mix of immunity-supporting antioxidants thanks to colorful vegetables, fruits and walnuts.
- This salad highlights winter produce like kale, Brussels sprouts, pears and pomegranate.
- Make this salad in just 20 minutes when you need a crowd-pleasing dish.
This Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Pear Salad is a true celebration of the season, bringing brightness and crunch to the table. Fiber-packed kale and Brussels sprouts are tenderized in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette, which softens their edges and infuses them with flavor. Pear slices add a juicy counterpoint, while crunchy pomegranate arils offer bursts of tartness in every forkful. Make the simple dressing ahead of time, then toss everything together when you’re ready to enjoy it. It’s a dish that’s sure to stand out among heartier sides. Ready to try it for yourself? Read on for our best advice plus easy swaps to make it your own.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Try sliced apples instead of pears in the salad. You could also swap out the Parmesan for blue cheese or goat cheese crumbles. Or, omit the cheese entirely and add more walnuts for a dairy-free crunch.
- Massaging the kale tenderizes the leaves, reduces bitterness and helps distribute the dressing evenly. You’ll have massaged enough when the mixture is bright green, shiny and has reduced its volume by half.
- Buy pre-shaved Brussels sprouts instead of slicing your own to save time. Look for them in the produce aisle of the grocery store.
Nutrition Notes
- Leafy greens like kale and Brussels sprouts are superstars for being high in fiber and having cancer-fighting antioxidants. Raw leafy greens, like the ones in this salad, provide prebiotic fiber to fuel the gut microbiome. They’re rich in vitamins A, C and E, all of which can help support a healthy immune system.
- Red pears add fiber, potassium and additional vitamin C to this salad. Their low glycemic index means they’re less likely to spike your blood sugar, while the potassium can help improve blood pressure.
- Pomegranate arils are small but mighty when it comes to fiber and antioxidants, including flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins that give these juicy seeds their rich red color. These antioxidants have been shown to help fight inflammation, reduce risk of cancer and support heart health.
- Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fats, making them ideal to support heart and brain health. This recipe calls for candied walnuts, so chopping them in the salad helps provide sweetness and crunch while keeping the added sugars to a minimum.
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
