Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Candied Pecans
Updated October 13, 2019
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Candied Pecans-this beautiful and healthy salad is perfect for all of your holiday meals!
Do you have your Thanksgiving menu planned yet? We are not sure what we are doing this year. We don’t have any family coming into town and our friends all have plans, so it is just us! Josh wants to go all out and make the traditional feast for the four of us, but I am not feeling it. That is a lot of work for four people…well, really three since Maxwell can’t join us at the dinner table yet:)
The only reason I kind of want to have Thanksgiving is so I can make this Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Candied Pecans. It is SO good and the perfect Thanksgiving salad!
For the salad greens, I chopped up kale and brussels sprouts. If you claim to not like brussels sprouts, don’t turn up your nose at this salad. They add a great crunch and are so good! They aren’t the soggy, over-cooked brussels sprouts your grandma used to make:)
I top the greens with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, parmesan cheese, and candied pecans. If you don’t want to take the time to make candied pecans, you can use regular pecans, but I highly recommend using candied pecans. They are worth the extra step! And I promise my candied pecan recipe is easy.
I toss the salad together with a simple apple cider Dijon dressing. It is the perfect finishing touch!
This kale and brussels spout salad is almost too pretty to eat. It would be a shame to let such a fresh and vibrant salad go to waste, so grab a fork and have at it!
Maybe I will give in and let Josh have his big Thanksgiving feast, but only if this Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Candied Pecans is on the menu! It is my favorite and sure to be a favorite at your holiday meal too!
If you are looking for more Thanksgiving ideas, check out our favorite Thanksgiving recipes here! You can find fabulous seasonal Thanksgiving recipes from my blogging friends here, too! Enjoy!
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Candied Pecans
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 small butternut squash peeled, seeds removed, and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 small bunch Lacinato kale Dino or Tuscan kale, finely chopped
- 1 lb brussels sprouts finely chopped
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds from one large pomegranate
- 1/2 cup candied pecans
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons shallot minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the butternut squash on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Roast the squash for 25-30 minutes, stirring once, or until the squash is tender. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Place the kale in a large bowl and sprinkle with sea salt. Massage the leaves for for 2-3 minutes, or until they soften and start to wilt. Stir in the chopped brussels sprouts, butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, and Parmesan cheese.
- To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, and shallot. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Serve!
Have you tried this recipe?
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It looks amazing and I love the addition of brussels sprouts. I have never understood why there are so many haters because they’re are so good!
Looks delicious! I’m confused when you say ‘finely chopped’ sprouts. Do you mean shredded? Thanks for your help!
I finely chopped the sprouts with a knife, making them shredded.
gah! Looks amazing! So my speed. I don’t know that I could do a full on Thanksgiving if it was just us. Maybe just a turkey breast and a few of my favorite sides!!
Gorgeous colorful healthy salad!!
I also posted Brussels Sprouts today! Must be something in the water.
I love how to added squash and pomegranate seeds to this salad! They add so much pretty color and health! Pinned!
Yay for sprouts!
Love this salad with the pomegranate arils, they are the best. I just learned too the word “aril” and am using it every chance I get. And brussel sprouts. Yummy. They are.
Bought 28 POMS from the grocery store this weekend, were on sale, 4 for $1.50 on clearance, had to use them quick but will be dumping in salads. Delish.
Wow, 28! I am jealous!
This is basically a dream salad. So bright and colorful!!
This salad sounds incredible! I love the flavor combo, it’ll be perfect for Thanksgiving (or just any other day you want a delicious salad).
I adore brussels sprouts! This salad is gorgeous!
Hooray for pomegranates! This salad is gorgeous and perfect for meatless Monday!
The colors in this!! So so pretty!
What a beautiful Salad Maria!
I have a special place in my heart for Brussels Sprouts. Love them so.
Mmmmm I love how colourful this salad is, delicious!!
This looks lovely. I’m not a brussels sprouts fan, but Matt loves them, so this is perfect for him.
Pomegranates on salad with earthy flavors are my favorite. I’m always craving a little “bite”. And since you made those brussels so small, I might be able to stomach them ๐
That salad is gorgeous and I love candied pecans in my salads ๐
What a gorgeous salad! Love the raw brussels sprouts in here!
Such a gorgeous salad Maria! I adore brussel sprouts!!
What a pretty salad, Maria! This would be perfect for Thanksgiving, or any other fall day.
This is gorgeous! I shared a similar salad recently so I know how delicious the kale and brussel sprouts are as a base. It’s perfect for the holidays because you can add the dressing ahead of time and it doesn’t get soggy.
My husband would probably divorce me if I even brought a Brussels sprout in the house. (lol) I could probably substitute red cabbage?
You can use all kale if you wish or cabbage would be nice!
This salad is so pretty! It’s definitely going on the menu!!!
I am seriously loving this bright and delicious fall salad!
The salad looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it. I strongly encourage you to go all out for Thanksgiving even though it will only be the 4 of you. We have been in that same situation and have learned its important to have traditions and celebrate even if its just us! It might be your favorite Thanksgiving to date:)
yes indeed this is the perfect Thanksgiving salad!!
Check out that COLOR! This looks wonderful. Love all the winter salad recipe ideas popping up on the Internet this year – there are so many options for eating healthy!
Gorgeous!
This salad is stunning. I’ll pass on the turkey. Pass the bowl!
Absolutely stunning! Can’t way to see you soon!
This looks lovely. Iโm not a brussels sprouts fan, but Matt loves them, so this is perfect for him.
Does the squash need to be warm over the salad? Thanks!
It can be warm or cold. I like it both ways!
Looks amazing! I’m taking this to my in laws for Xmas. Can I roast the squash a day ahead? Does it have to be warm when it goes on the salad?
Thanks!
P.s. I’m currently roasting the candied pecans and my house smells like Jesus!!!
You can make the squash a day ahead. I like it warm or at room temperature!
Mmmmm! I will try this sometime soon- no waiting for the next holiday season to roll around! (I just hope I can still find pomegranates.)
Thank you for such a wonderful presentation of a colorful salad full of colder weather veggies! How delightful! ๐
Happy New Year!
Wow! This salad is amazing! I substituted the cheese with nutritional yeast to make it vegan. These flavors really pop. It’s like fall in your mouth! Thank you!
this salad is so beautiful and delicious. I think its taste is really good and wonderful. Your sharing is what I want to try in this weekend. Thanks!
Yummy, festive salad that can be made ahead.
Amazing!!!! Full of great flavor!
Do you eat this warm? Looking to pack for my lunches
You can eat it cold or at room temperature.
Since you posted this recipe (years ago!) Iโve been making this every year for Thanksgiving! Itโs amazing and requested every year!!!! To help with the prep, Iโve purchased frozen butternut squash and pomegranate arils and Iโve noticed no difference. Take the time to candy the pecans- youโll be glad you did!! The dressing is light and perfectly compliments the salad. So delishโฆ and beautiful!!! Thanks for posting!!
I am so glad you love the recipe and make it every year.