Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad

Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad is a simple salad recipe made with fresh kale, blueberries, pecans, and goat cheese. You’ll be surprised how well kale, blueberry, and goat cheese go together!

Some flavors are just a match made in heaven. It’s a simple salad, perfect for summertime when blueberries are in season.

This healthy and nutrient-dense kale blueberry salad is incredibly easy to make. The most important step is to massage the kale with olive oil!

Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad Recipe Highlights

TASTES GREAT – This salad is yummy because it has a mix of sweet, tangy, and earthy flavors that all taste good together.

FUN TO EAT – The salad has different textures, like crunchy nuts and soft cheese, which makes eating it interesting and enjoyable.

GOOD FOR YOU – This salad has lots of healthy ingredients, like kale and blueberries, that give your body the nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy.

Ingredient Notes

KALE – The hearty, nutrient-dense base of the salad provides a great contrast to the other ingredients in both texture and flavor.

LEMON – Fresh lemon juice adds a zesty, tangy element that brightens the salad and helps tenderize the kale.

OLIVE OIL – This healthy fat helps the kale to soften and adds a rich, smooth texture to the dressing.

MAPLE SYRUP – The natural sweetness of maple syrup balances the tanginess of the lemon juice and the earthiness of the kale.

BLUEBERRIES – These juicy, antioxidant-rich berries add a burst of sweetness and a pop of color to the salad.

PECANS – Pecans bring a delicious crunch and nutty flavor to the salad, as well as providing healthy fats.

GOAT CHEESE – Creamy and tangy goat cheese complements the sweet and tart flavors in the salad, adding a luxurious element.

RED ONION – Thinly sliced red onion adds a zingy sharpness and a touch of color that works well with the other ingredients.

SALT – A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the salad and ties all the ingredients together.

How To Make A Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad

1. Prepare the kale and make the dressing by whisking lemon juice, olive oil, and maple syrup together. Massage the kale with the dressing to soften it.
2. Add blueberries, pecans, goat cheese, and optional red onion to the salad.
3. Season with salt, toss, and serve.

For this recipe, I used the blueberry goat cheese log from Trader Joe’s, but regular goat cheese will work just as well.

Nutritional Benefits

I have a serious weakness for all things kale. A few years, seemingly out of nowhere, kale popped up. And all of a sudden, it was on restaurant menus and smoothie stores and has now become a staple in most supermarkets.

It’s not surprising since kale is one of the most nutrient-packed foods!

• high in antioxidants
• lots of fiber
• very high in vitamin C (boost for our immune system)
• lots of calcium (great for bone health)

But most importantly, when kale is prepared properly, it’s downright delicious!

Serving Ideas

CHICKEN or SHRIMP – A simple, seasoned grilled or baked chicken breast would complement the flavors of the salad without overpowering it. And if you’re feeling fancy, some quickly sautéed shrimp are extra delicious.

QUINOA or COUSCOUS – A side of cooked quinoa or couscous can add extra substance and texture to the meal while soaking up the flavors of the salad.

BREAD – Warm, crusty bread or rolls can be a great addition to the meal, providing a way to soak up any remaining dressing and adding a comforting, hearty element.

VEGETABLES – A side of roasted vegetables, such as our super popular honey-roasted sweet potatoes, candied carrots, or asparagus, can add more variety and color to the plate while enhancing the overall meal.

FISH: A mild-flavored fish like salmon or tilapia can be a nice, light protein option to serve alongside this salad.

SOUPS – A soup can be a perfect match for this salad, creating a well-rounded, satisfying meal.

Leftovers

1. TAKE IT APART – If you can, keep the leftover salad parts separate. It’s best to store the kale, blueberries, nuts, and cheese in different containers. If they’re already mixed, it’s okay – know the salad might feel a little different when you eat it later.
2. AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS – Put each part of the salad in a container with a tight-fitting lid to keep it fresh.
3. FRIDGE – Keep the salad parts in the refrigerator. The kale should be good for 2-3 days, while the blueberries, nuts, and cheese can last longer if kept apart.
4. RE-ASSEMBLE – When you want to eat the leftovers, mix the kale, blueberries, nuts, and cheese together again. You can add more onion or a bit of lemon juice, oil, and salt to make it taste fresh.

The leftover salad might be a little different in texture, like softer kale or less crunchy nuts, but it should still taste good.

More Simple Salad Recipe Ideas

• Butternut Squash Salad
• Pea Salad
• Tuna Salad Sandwich
• Broiled Salmon
• Greek Salad