Honey mustard kale salad with sausage is an easy gluten free meal that’s hearty and tasty! When you’re in a hurry, this is a quick, family-friendly dinner that you can get on the table in no time.
Kale is a vegetable that I struggle to eat enough of. We do like to make crunchy kale chips, and sometimes I can sneak it into things like creamy soup and sauces.
But my favorite way to eat kale so far is this honey mustard kale salad with sausage.
This is such an easy dinner to whip up. You just cook the sausages in a skillet with some bell peppers, massage the kale with some lemon juice, and make a quick dressing. It really couldn’t get any easier, and it’s a tasty, filling dinner that’s simple to make.
When you have food allergies or special dietary needs, it can be hard to find quick dinner recipes that are tasty, quick, and use normal ingredients. I don’t want to spend hours making a meal at the end of the day, so I like simple dinners like this one.
Be sure to take a look at all of my allergy friendly dinner recipes to find more easy, family-friendly meals to try!
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Top Tip
Be sure to massage the kale leaves with lemon juice. Not only does this add a nice flavor to the salad, but it helps soften the kale leaves and makes them easier to digest.
Ingredient Notes
- Sausage – I like chicken sausage for this recipe. Some brands to check out are Gilbert’s Craft Sausages as well as Bilinski. Please be sure to call the company to make sure a brand is safe for you. If you can’t find a safe brand of sausage, try making this salad with grilled chicken!
- Kale – I prefer curly kale for this dish – I think it’s a little more tender than dinosaur kale.
- Peppers – Use any color bell peppers that you have on hand. I used yellow and orange peppers, but red or green peppers would be just fine, too.
- Mustard – I used yellow mustard for the dressing. You could use Dijon mustard if you prefer.
Substitutions
- If you can’t have mustard, try this dish with this cilantro dressing, or this homemade vegan ranch dressing.
- If you don’t have kale on hand, you can use spinach or another green if you prefer.
- Honey works well in this dressing, but maple syrup would also be a great choice.
Step by Step Instructions
- Put the chopped kale into a bowl, and pour the lemon juice on top. Use your hands to massage the lemon juice into the kale. Set aside.
- Put the olive oil, sausages, and peppers in a frying pan and cook over medium heat. I like to cut each sausage into three pieces so that there is more surface area to brown – I think it adds more flavor.
- While they are cooking, put the honey, mustard, salt, and pepper in a jar and mix together.
- Once the sausage and peppers are browned and caramelized, remove them from the heat.
- Put the kale in a serving dish, then put the peppers and sausage on top. Drizzle with the honey mustard dressing. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Try serving this main dish with:
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container. They should stay fresh for about 3 days.
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Recipe
Honey Mustard Kale Salad with Sausage and Peppers.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch curly kale stems removed, rinsed, and leaves cut into strips
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 chicken sausages
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 orange bell pepper cut into thin strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips
- ¼ cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place the chopped kale into a large bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice, and use your hands to massage the juice into the kale. This will help make the kale less tough and easier to digest.
- Slice each sausage into 3 pieces. In a large skillet, cook the peppers and sausages in the olive oil over medium heat. Cook until the sausages are browned and crisp on the outside, and the peppers are soft and a little bit caramelized.
- While the sausages are cooking, make the dressing. In a small jar, combine the honey, mustard, salt, and pepper, and whisk together.
- Put the kale in a serving dish, and top with the cooked sausages and peppers. Drizzle with the dressing.
- Serve immediately.
Darryl
This is a great way to have your sausage and vegetables, very delicious. Also very impressive for your guests
Julia
Eating more kale is a wonderful resolution! Totally doable and looks like you’re carrying it out in the most delicious of ways. I must check out that chicken sausage and could guzzle honey mustard sauce/dressing alll day!
Kelly
Your cookbook is a big inspiration in the kale department, lady! :)
Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven
I am in love with this salad, Kelly! I love all the pretty colors and the bold flavors you packed into it! I really need to get in the habit of throwing kale in my salads more often! I know it’s SO good for you. :)
Kelly
Thanks, Sarah!
whiskandshout
What a pretty salad! Love the dressing here :)
Kelly
Thank you!
Kristine's KitchenKristine @ Kristines
I’ve been eating so much kale lately, and can’t wait to try this salad! I love that you used sausage and bell peppers and topped it with honey mustard dressing!
Kelly
Good for you eating all that kale! I’m sure it’s great for recovering after giving birth!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
I just love kale salads. The best. Such a pretty salad!
Kelly
Thanks, Natalie!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
What a gorgeous salad, Kelly! I love the addition of sausage on here. And that dressing sounds delicious! Perfect for a healthy lunch!
Kelly
Thanks, Gayle!