• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • Recipes
    • LOW CARB
    • Paleo
    • WHOLE 30 Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
      • Salad
      • Sandwiches & Pizza
      • Quiches & Pies
    • Soups & Chili
    • Dinner
      • Poultry
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Fish & Seafood
    • Gluten Free Pasta
    • Healthy Spiralized Recipes
    • Vegetables & Salads
    • Appetizers & Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Smoothies & Drinks
  • LOW CARB
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Resources
    • GF Living
    • Favorite Products
    • Reviews
    • Resources for Kids
    • Meal Plans
    • Celiac Disease
  • Wellness & Strength Training
    • Wellness
    • Strength Training
    • Health And Fitness Products We Use
  • Contact Us

Gluten Free Homestead

creating a healthier lifestyle

Signup for email updates here

Published October 27, 2016 | Last Updated October 12, 2022 By Barbara Bianchi 30 Comments

Autumn Kale Salad with Apples, Pomegranate, Pistachios, and Goat Cheese

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This pretty autumn salad is so healthy and delicious.

autumn-salad-3

Autumn in New York usually means a slight chill in the air, a visit to the pumpkin patch or apple orchard, and afternoon walks to admire the vibrant fall foliage. It doesn’t mean softly falling snow.

But this morning I looked out the window only to see that it was snowing. I’m not ready for winter yet! Thankfully, the tiny snowflakes soon turned into rain.

But the unexpected snow reminded me that I need to relish every minute of this fall season. It goes by way too quickly.

So let’s celebrate with a beautiful autumn kale salad topped with apple slices, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and goat cheese.

Before I jump into the recipe, I need to tell you a little secret. First of all, I love salads. I’ve loved eating them since I was a little girl. And the bigger the salad the better.

My family jokes that I’m like Elaine Benes in the Seinfeld episode where she keeps ordering the Big Salad.

But here’s the secret: I do not enjoy making salads. Believe it or not, I’d rather put on a strand of pearls like Julia Child and make one of her complicated recipes. Weird, right? Salads are so easy and fast to make.

pomegranete-1

I think the reason why I don’t enjoy making them is because I usually have one every day for lunch. And what ends up happening is that they become pretty boring.

Greens, carrots, some peppers, red onions, etc. It’s an extremely healthy salad, and it’s tasty, but it can get a little boring making the same salad day after day.

So today I was excited to change things up a bit and try to make the prettiest autumn salad with some of my favorite ingredients.

pomegranate-2

How to make it

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

First, I’m using massaged kale in this recipe. If you’ve ever had a raw kale salad, you might have noticed that the kale was a little bitter and its texture a little coarse.

However, if you massage the kale for only about five minutes, it will begin to soften and wilt. This seems to break down its dense cellulose structure leaving it easier to digest and much tastier. Read more about how to massage kale here.

massage kale

Next, this salad has two of my favorite autumn fruits: apples and pomegranates. Apples are actually my favorite fruit no matter the season. You can read about some of the health benefits of apples here.

autumn-salad-1

Pomegranate seeds are a powerful superfood. Read about them here. They are loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect heart and brain health.

The red, jewel-like capsule (called an aril) that encloses the pomegranate seed provides vitamins B6, C, and potassium.

Not only do I love how nutritious these seeds are, but I also love how they explode with flavor in every forkful.

Watch this video and see how to cut a pomegranate the safe and easy way.

 

I also crumbled goat cheese over the salad to add a lovely creaminess. The goat cheese I used is a Chèvre from the Vermont Creamery. This is a wonderfully tasty cheese.

Because goat’s milk is closer in comparison to human milk than that of a cow, some people with low tolerance to cow’s milk can tolerate goat’s milk. Read more about goat cheese here.

autumn-salad-4

And, finally, I tossed in a handful of toasted pistachios.

If you’re concerned about nuts manufactured on shared equipment with gluten containing products, check out Nuts.com (affiliate link) that prominently labels which products of theirs are certified gluten-free.

autumn-salad-2

For the dressing, I recommend just a light vinaigrette and a dash of salt.

There you have it. The perfect way to celebrate autumn.

Do you love salads as much as I do? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And please share this recipe with a friend who loves salads too. 😊

Have a happy and healthy week!

More healthy recipes you’ll love

Gluten Free Cauliflower Flatbreads Serve warm from the skillet and piled with your favorite toppings.

How To Make Beef Bone Broth And Why It’s Good For You You can use bone broth as stock for your favorite soups or gravies (or even serve it as a refreshing broth).

Seasoned Cauliflower Rice With Bacon Cauliflower rice makes a delicious easy side dish that tastes just like fried rice. And it’s keto, low-carb, and whole 30 compliant too!

Gluten Free Surówka Surówka is a Polish sauerkraut, carrot and apple salad that’s healthy and delicious.

Healthy Lemony Marinated Zucchini Salad Zucchini is delicious raw, especially when it is marinated before being added to a salad.

Love this recipe? Pin it!

Low Carb recipe | Whole 30 recipe | paleo recipe | gluten free recipe | kale salad | pomegranates | goat cheese

Print Pin
4.67 from 3 votes

Autumn Kale Salad with Apples, Pomegranate, Pistachios, and Goat Cheese

This wonderful autumn kale salad is made with massaged kale, apples, toasted pistachios, and goat cheese topped with pomegranate seeds.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword fall salad, harvest salad, kale recipe, massaged kale salad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 219kcal
Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

  • For massaged kale:
  • a bunch of kale
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • juice of one lemon
  • salt to taste
  • For Toasting Pistachios:
  • 20 pistachio nuts chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 small red apple sliced
  • 1 small green apple sliced
  • 1-2 tablespoons goat cheese
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
  • season with salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Massage the kale: Wash kale and remove the leaves from the stems.
  • Wash the leaves again, and place them in a large bowl. Add oil, lemon juice, and salt.
    Then as if you were kneading dough, start massaging those leaves. After about 2 minutes you will actually feel their tough structure breaking down. Continue to massage, rubbing the leaves together and tearing them apart.
    You'll notice the leaves turning a deeper green. The volume will shrink to about half, too.
  • After 5 minutes, taste the kale. When you find the once bitter taste has been transformed to a lightly sweet and nutty taste, your kale is ready.
  • Toast Pistachios: Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it bubbles and begins to brown. Turn off the flame and add garlic and pistachios. Stir well to coat the pistachios until slightly toasted.
  • Toss kale with your toasted pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and apple slices. Top with goat cheese and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal
did you make this recipe? We want to see! Take a pic, and tag @glutenfreehomestead on Instagram.

 

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Barbara Bianchi

Barbara loves to bring fun into the kitchen and healthy food to the table. She also enjoys drinking coffee, eating a little chocolate, reading a good novel, going for walks and spending time with her family and friends.
  • Spicy Salmon Bake Cups (Gluten Free And Low Carb) - December 16, 2022
  • Gluten Free Baked Ziti Recipe - November 17, 2022
  • Dr. Ted Naiman’s P:E Potatoes Au Gratin - August 5, 2022
  • Frozen Strawberry Protein Pops - July 28, 2022
  • High-Protein Smoothie With Strawberries - July 15, 2022
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Gmail

Hungry for more?

Sign up and I'll send you my eCookbook, Top 10 Recipes as a welcome gift

plus new articles and recipes delivered fresh to your inbox!

Your request has been accepted! Please check your inbox for a verification message.

Your data is collected, used, and protected in accordance with the privacy policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Filed Under: Egg free, Lunch, Paleo, Recipe, Vegetables & Salads

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ZoziePosie says

    October 31, 2016 at 4:31 am

    I didn’t used to like salad much but that’s really changed. ..I think I now know how much it can add to a dish and even breakfast often!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 5, 2016 at 12:54 am

      There you go. Enjoy.

      Reply
  2. Marian Mitchell says

    October 31, 2016 at 8:50 am

    I love massaged kale salads and this sounds absolutely ah-mazing! I am adding it to my meal plan this week.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 5, 2016 at 12:36 am

      I love hearing that, Marian. I hope you love it. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kristen Chidsey says

    October 31, 2016 at 9:08 am

    This salad is stunning!! And can’t wait for that video 😉

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 5, 2016 at 12:43 am

      Thanks, Kristen. I just updated this post to include the new video. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sheena says

    November 5, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    Sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try making it.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:29 pm

      I hope you love it, Sheena. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lindsay says

    November 5, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    This salad is not only gorgeous but I bet it’s so yummy too!! I would take off the cheese to make it paleo friendly for my hubby 🙂

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:31 pm

      Thanks, Lindsay. I hope hubby love it.

      Reply
  6. Veronika says

    November 6, 2016 at 7:39 am

    5 stars
    I love salads and I love pomegranates! Yay can’t wait to make this! 🙂

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:35 pm

      There you go. I think you’ll love this salad. Thanks for the stars. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says

    November 6, 2016 at 11:01 am

    I love salad containing pomegranates! And goat cheese? Swoon….

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      When you get a forkful with goat cheese and a few pomegranates, it’s scrumptious. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Hillary says

    November 7, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    Yum! Sounds delicious and your photos are beautiful!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:38 pm

      Oh, thank you. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Danielle says

    November 8, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    4 stars
    I love how upfront and honest you are about not liking to make salads. I don’t care for it either — I can just buy it and it’s faster ya know! But I can’t buy a salad that looks this good! Well, I can but geez you definitely made a killer plate here and it’s gorgeous! Great great job!!! With talent like this, you’re gonna be on salad duty for a while =]

    Danielle | FollowMyGut.com <3

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Ha ha. Thank you. This salad was actually fun to make. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Tejasvi says

    November 8, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    Ummm.. I can’t wait to make this at home.. Looks delicious..

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:28 pm

      Thank you, Tejasvi. Hope you enjoy it.

      Reply
  11. Paula Niziolek says

    November 8, 2016 at 8:07 pm

    Oh my soul! What a gorgeous salad! I’m going to run right out…well, tomorrow…and get a pomegranate so I can have it tomorrow. I’m allergic to apples so mine will have pears instead. I can’t wait!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:41 pm

      Pears will be perfect!! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Idriss says

    November 9, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    Beautiful salad ! You got skills

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      November 13, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Turkey Tenderloin stuffed with Kale and Goat Cheese says:
    May 5, 2019 at 4:53 pm

    […] you have any goat cheese left over after making this recipe, I highly recommend crumbling it in your green salad. It’ll really turn it in to something […]

    Reply
  2. 10 Fresh Fruit Recipe Ideas - Perfect for Winter - Mamacita On The Move says:
    October 21, 2019 at 12:07 pm

    […] Autumn Kale Salad – Gluten Free Homestead […]

    Reply
  3. Our Summer Garden (Homegrown Veggie Ideas) - Gluten Free Homestead says:
    November 18, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    […] Autumn Kale Salad with Apples, Pomegranate, Pistachios, and Goat Cheese […]

    Reply
  4. Super Delicious Massaged Kale Salad - Gluten Free Homestead says:
    July 5, 2020 at 2:01 am

    […] Kale Salad with Apples, Pomegranate, Pistachios, and Goat Cheese: Love massaged kale? Try it in this beautiful salad. […]

    Reply
  5. Sauteed Kale Tossed With Bacon says:
    August 2, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    […] Autumn kale salad : This messaged kale salad is topped with apple slices, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and goat cheese. Yum. […]

    Reply
  6. Gluten Free Apple Cider Vinaigrette - Gluten Free Homestead says:
    August 17, 2020 at 10:01 pm

    […] Autumn Kale Salad with Apples, Pomegranate, Pistachios, and Goat Cheese […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! We’re Barbara & John. Whether you’re looking for delicious easy to follow gluten-free and low-carb recipes, strength training tips, strategies to beat chronic fatigue, or just because you want to feel good, you're in the right place. Read more here. 

...

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

-1 Corinthians 10:31

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Bursting With Flavor

Get the Cookbook!

“I’ve enjoyed making a number of these recipes and love the beautiful, appetizing-looking pictures. And the fact that they’re low-carb is all the better! When I discover people who are looking for gluten-free or low-carb recipes—or who are just wanting to try something new—I love recommending Barbara’s recipes.”

—Barbara C.

Get the app!

Download GF Recipe Book PRO app

Trending

The 10 Most Important Strategies I Used To Beat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Part 1

Why We Bought a Sleep EZ 100% Natural Latex Mattress [Review]

Free eBook!

Get this information-packed eBook as a subscriber freebie!

Your request has been accepted! Please check your inbox for a verification message.

Your data is collected, used, and protected in accordance with the privacy policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Footer

Affiliates Disclaimer

The Gluten Free Homestead receives a small commission from the sales made through our affiliate links. However, we only promote affiliate products we use or support wholeheartedly. The commissions received through your purchases help maintain this site. Thank you for your support!

Medical Disclaimer

Nothing you read on this site should be construed as medical advice. All blog posts are solely our personal experiences and opinions, and should not be interpreted as an attempt to offer a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine. See more here.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how Gluten Free Homestead uses and protects any information that you give while using www.glutenfreehomestead.com See more here.

Copyright © 2023 · Brunch Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in