A wonderful combination of tastes and textures in this copycat Cracker Barrel Kale Salad recipe. It's the perfect side for any entree, with the sweet and peppery flavors marrying well.

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What makes this recipe so yummy

• It's inexpensive, which is great in today's economy.
• It adds a certain level of special-ness to your dinner.
• It's easy and you can whip it up in less than 10 minutes.
• If you've been to Cracker Barrel restaurants, you know their food is delicious right? This copycat version is spot on.
• It's a great way to get your daily value of veggies into your diet.

Recipe walkthrough: Ingredients

• Curly Kale
• Brussel Sprouts
• Crunchy Pecans
• Dried Cranberries (sweet craisins)
• Granulated Sugar
• White Vinegar
• Maple Syrup
• Olive Oil
• Mustard Powder
• Sea Salt

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Step 1: Wash and chop the kale and the Brussel sprouts with a sharp knife.
• Step 2: Add to a large mixing bowl with the dried cranberries and pecans.
• Step 3: Mix the maple vinaigrette dressing ingredients together, well.
• Step 4: Pour the tangy dressing over this sprouts n' kale salad then mix well.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

• Lemon Juice - or lime juice.
• Red Onions - an optional extra.
• Balsamic Vinegar - if you don't have white vinegar.
• Apple Cider Vinegar - like above.
• Sunflower Seeds - add your favorite toppings like sunflower seeds.
• Dijon Mustard - instead of the mustard powder.
• Cheddar Cheese - add some cheese for protein then it could be a light dinner.
• Parmesan Cheese - like above.
• Green Beans - for more crunch.
• Pumpkin Seeds - more toppings options.
• Salad Dressing - if you'd rather use your own salad dressing...

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Necessary gear: Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Just a mixing bowl, or two. You'll probably need a good chopping board and knife too to cut the greens up fine.

You could use a food processor, but it could chop it too fine and you don't want that. Rather thin ribbons.

I have a few affiliate links in the recipe card below.

More salad recipes I think you'll love

• Apple Cranberry Salad
• Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
• Southern Seafood Salad
• Late Summer Pasta Salad
• Cajun Potato Salad
• Tuna Pasta Salad
• Cranberry Salad
• Pesto Dressing
• Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad

Some great entrees that work well with this salad, is my Cajun turkey breast, some good pork chops or my pastalaya. For dessert, try my Snickers brownies - they're fabulous.

How to store leftovers

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I would recommend you try to get all of it eaten though because with the dressing it doesn't hold up for too long.

Mel's kitchen notes

If you're unsure of a time when family/guests arrive, perhaps hold off adding the salad dressing until right as you serve.

If you’ve tried this Cracker Barrel Kale Salad Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

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