Crunchy, healthy, and completely addictive. This Sunflower Crunch Salad has it ALL going on!!
Healthy and delicious! Dig in, you’re going to love this colorful salad!
Mix up a big bowl of this Copycat Dole Sunflower Crunch Salad, and you’ll have lunch ready for the entire week. Add cooked chicken, and it can also do double duty as dinner.
Whenever you serve this salad, for lunch, dinner, or even a party, be ready for people to fill their plates and then come back for more. It’s a winning combination of flavors and textures that will soon become your signature dish!
**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions and complete ingredient measurements for making Sunflower Crunch Salad is available near the end of this post.
Why this recipe works:
The reason I call this a copycat salad is that it mimics my favorite bagged salad which I purchase in the produce section of the market.
However, if I’m totally honest here (and why wouldn’t I be?), my Kudos Kitchen version is even better than that bagged version because I’ve added dried cranberries to the mix, and I’ve also added apple cider (you can use apple juice if needed) to thin the dressing, and for a little touch of extra sweetness.
The ingredient list;
**Note – The following list of ingredients contains affiliate links for your consideration and shopping convenience.
- Green Cabbage
- Red Cabbage
- Fresh Kale
- Carrots
- Bacon Bits
- Salt and Pepper
- Apple Cider or Apple Juice
- Mayonnaise
- Sugar
- Minced Garlic
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dried Cranberries
- Sunflower Seeds
Click here for my latest and greatest Kudos Kitchen tasty BBQ side dishes recipe roundup.
For another healthy and delicious kale salad, I think you’ll really enjoy this Kale Berry Salad.
What if I wanted a vegetarian salad? Can I leave the bacon out?
By all means…YES!!! It’s your salad, your call!
Why is this the perfect BBQ side dish idea?
- Because everyone loves it!
- Healthy options are always popular!
- It’s fresh and colorful!
- It’s crunchy!
- It pairs well will all types of food!!
Do I need a food processor to chop the cabbages and carrots?
No, not at all! I didn’t use one. I used a chef’s knife and cutting board.
Slice the cabbages thinly (removing the core), and then crosscut the thin slices into tiny pieces.
Easy, peasy with no extra equipment to wash!
How long will this salad keep in the refrigerator?
Keep it well covered and it will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I substitute other nuts for the sunflower seeds?
Yes, of course!
Try making this with chopped pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, or even chopped macadamia nuts.
Since I’m a nut and seed girl, I’m certain that any (or all) of them would be a tasty addition.
Important serving tip for cabbage kale salad:
This salad tastes best after it’s had a chance to sit in the refrigerator at least 60 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend and marry, so please plan accordingly.
Additional healthy and delicious salad recipes you don’t want to miss:
- Rubbed Kale Salad with Fresh Berries
- Best Ever Chef’s Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
- Berry Delicious Chicken Avocado Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Autumn Harvest Chopped Fruit and Vegetable Salad
- Heart Healthy Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- Antioxidant-Rich Blood Orange and Blueberry Salad
**The following affiliate links are some suggested products I’ve chosen that will aid you in the making and serving of this recipe for Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale Cabbage Salad if desired.
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What is the serving size of this salad?
1 cup = 1 serving
Below is the printable recipe card for today’s Copycat Sunflower Crunch Salad.
If you’ve enjoyed this recipe and look forward to making it (or have already made it), I’d appreciate if you’d take a moment to give it some feedback by way of stars near the comment section at the end of this post. Thank you so much!
- 1 small head green cabbage chopped into a small dice
- 1 half head purple cabbage chopped into a small dice
- 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped into a small dice
- 2 cups kale ribs removed and chopped into a small dice
- ½ cup bacon bits
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup apple cider or apple juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1½ tablespoon cider vinegar
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In a large bowl, stir together the green and purple cabbage along with the prepared carrots and kale.
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Add the salt, pepper, bacon bits, garlic, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider, cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth.
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Pour the cider and mayonnaise dressing over the cabbage mixture and stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 60 minutes for the flavors to marry.
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Serve chilled with additional dried cranberries and sunflower seeds to the top, if desired.
Serving size = 1 cup
Thank you so much for visiting me here in my Kudos Kitchen!!
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed today’s recipe for Sunflower crunch chopped salad as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions regarding this recipe or anything else you’ve seen on my site, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or leave me a comment in the comment section below. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back to you with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!
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Kudos Kitchen by Renée ~ Cooking up artistically delicious family-friendly dishes from my Kudos Kitchen to yours!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
**Note – The post above includes affiliate links. As always, I truly thank you for your support!
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Such great instructions and tips, who needs the bag? Thanks so much for this!
Thanks so much, Beth! I’m glad you like the recipe!
SO fabulous! I could eat this every single day…the perfect salad!
When I have it in my fridge, I definitely eat it every day. I seriously can’t get enough!
So healthy, so delicious! Love all that crunch.
Thank you!
I love how easy this is to make!
It’s a bonus after the delicious factor!
I love all the delicious crunch! Totally addictive!
Thank you, and you’re right. It’s TOTALLY addictive!
I love how easy this is but it has so many awesome flavors and textures! Perfect for all my upcoming parties and events!
I’m glad you’re thinking of entertaining with this salad. It really does please an entire crowd. Thanks, Meagen!
Hey Renee, this sounds amazing! What is the portion per serving? I’m on Weight Watchers so I’d like to calculate the points.
Hi, Diane!
A serving size is approximately 1/2 cup. I hope this helps.
Take care,
Renee
Thanks, Renee! Can’t wait to try it!
You’re welcome, Diane! Unfortunately, I can’t limit myself to only a half cup! If I don’t stop myself, I’d eat the entire bowl! LOL
Enjoy!
Does it keep for 5 days with the dressing mixed in, or do I keep it dry until ready to eat?
Great question, Jennifer. Keep it dry until ready to eat. The day you’re going to serve, add the dressing and chill for about 3-4 hours.
What is the serving size for this recipe? The nutrition facts says 1g, which must be a typo.
Thank you
Hi, Anne!
Sorry about that. I’ve gone ahead and adjusted the post, recipe card, and the serving size for being 1 cup of salad.
Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
I hope you love this salad as much as I do!
Take care,
Renee
What a delicious side dish! It’s sure to be a favorite!
Thank you, Lindsay! It’s always been a hit whenever I’ve served it!
I loved it! So flavorful!
I’m not a fan of kale, would spinach hold up in this salad? Everything else sounds awesome.
Hi, Vicki!
Great question, but I’m not 100% sure. My guess would be no because I think it would get too soggy.
If you’re not a fan of kale, why not leave it out?
Or, how about if you finely chop some broccoli (florets, and stems, if you’re so inclined), and add those to the salad?
I think that would be a terrific addition and one that would hold up well to all the other ingredients.
Just a thought.
I’m anxious to know what you decide to do. Let me know. I’d love to hear.
Hope this helps.
Take care,
Renee
What kind of mayo do you use in this recipe? Looks delicious.
I use Hellmann’s. If you decide to use something like a MiracleWhip, I suggest cutting back on the amount of sugar called for in the recipe.
Besides that, any mayo you use should be fine.
Enjoy the salad, Rhonda!
Is cider vinegar the same as apple cider? Made it twice and just used additional apple cider. I also substituted honey for sugar, because I had no sugar. It still taste amazing!
Hi, Catherine.
Apple cider vinegar is vinegar. Not sweet. Vinegary. I use it in this salad to give it a little balance so it’s not too sweet.
As long as you enjoyed the salad the way you made it, I say keep making it like that! I’m so happy you loved the way it turned out!
Renee
loved the veggies but didn’t like the dressing flavor profile at all. It was way too salty and garlicky and just did not work well with the sweetness of the cranberries or the taste of a slaw. I feel like this could have been a much better salad with a different dressing. The kale also seemed completely unnecessary. Deleting the pin and will not make again.
Everyone’s opinion is different. I happen to love this salad and the dressing. The kale is for texture and nutrition.
Have a lovely day.
Renee
Incredible!!!! I just made it again for our family 4th of July barbecue we’re having tomorrow. I hate mayo so I subbed 1/4 c of the mayo with Greek yogurt and good gracious…..even better! Best salad recipe I’ve ever made. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Becky!
This is so wonderful to hear and I’m so glad you adapted the recipe to your particular tastes and preferences! SO smart!!
Glad you loved the recipe. I’m always happy to share!! Thanks for letting me know, and for the great star rating!
Have a fantastic day!
Renee
Love this for summer. Reduced sugar and salt but still delicious.
Glad to hear it, and glad you made the adjustments you felt necessary. Thanks.
Renee