The first things you'll notice about this Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad is that it is colorful, healthy, and addictive! This chilled salad has it ALL going on!! Dig in! You're going to love this colorful salad!
I came up with my own version of this sunflower crunch salad because I used to love the prepared Dole sunflower crunch salad kit from the grocery's produce department so much.
This kale, cabbage, and sunflower coleslaw is my copycat version of that similar bag salad, but I can say with 100% confidence that this recipe is far superior in taste and freshness!
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Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How long does it take to prepare this make-ahead chilled side dish?
- Can this chilled chop salad be served as something other than a side dish?
- Why this recipe is superior to what you can purchase in the grocery store?
- Can the sunflower crunch salad dressing be used for other salads?
- What if I wanted a vegetarian salad? Can I leave the bacon out?
- Why is this the perfect BBQ side dish?
- What BBQ main course does this recipe best pair with?
- Do I need a food processor to chop the cabbages and carrots?
- How to slice cabbage:
- How long will this salad keep in the refrigerator?
- Can I substitute other nuts for the sunflower seeds?
- Additional side dishes to serve with your next BBQ:
- Additional salad recipes:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale Cabbage Salad
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a new "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart is available in the printable recipe card.
- 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
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large mixing bowl
- medium mixing bowl
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- measuring cups and spoons
- whisk
- wooden spoon or spatula
- vegetable peeler
- whisk
- garlic press (optional)
- food processor (optional)
- plastic wrap (for chilling)
How long does it take to prepare this make-ahead chilled side dish?
From the chopping to the mixing, this sunflower crunch salad will take approximately 20 minutes to prepare.
Chilling it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (but overnight is preferred) is the best way to get the most flavor out of this delicious and colorful vegetable dish.
Can this chilled chop salad be served as something other than a side dish?
By mixing up a big bowl of this copycat bagged salad mix, you can have it ready to eat for lunch (or dinner) anytime you like.
Also, feel free to add some cooked protein if you're looking for something a little more substantial.
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.
Kale and cabbage sunflower salad is a winning combination of flavors and textures that will soon become your signature dish!
Why this recipe is superior to what you can purchase in the grocery store?
I've added dried cranberries to the mix, and I've also added sweet apple cider (apple juice also works) to thin the dressing, and for a little touch of extra sweetness.
Click here for my latest and greatest Kudos Kitchen tasty BBQ side dishes.
Can the sunflower crunch salad dressing be used for other salads?
You bet!
Whisk up the mayonnaise, apple juice (or cider), vinegar, sugar, and garlic (optional) and use it on any salad you like. This sweet and tangy dressing will soon become one of your favorites!
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?
- Because everyone loves it!
- It's a make-ahead time-saver.
- Healthy options are always popular!
- It's fresh and colorful!
- It's cold and crunchy!
- It pairs well will all types of food!!
What BBQ main course does this recipe best pair with?
- pulled pork
- bbq chicken
- ribs
- brisket
- bbq beef
- hamburgers
- cheeseburgers
- sausages
- pork chops
What will YOU serve it alongside?
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 a cutting board. But, of course, using a food processor will be faster.
If using a you're using a chef's knife and cutting board, slice the cabbages into quarters, remove the cores (heart), and then thinly slice the quarters into strips, and chop into small pieces.
Easy, peasy with no extra equipment to wash!
How to slice cabbage:
How long will this salad keep in the refrigerator?
Keep it well covered in an air-tight container and it will last in the refrigerator for up to 7 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.
Additional side dishes to serve with your next BBQ:
- BBQ Side Dish Recipe Roundup (pictured below) from all your favorite food bloggers.
"With the help of this BBQ Side Dishes recipe roundup, your BBQ menu will keep your family and friends very full, and extremely happy!"
Additional salad recipes:
This Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad is a hearty romaine lettuce salad loaded with chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese. It's then topped with a lightly sweet and tangy homemade honey Dijon vinaigrette that balances this delicious salad perfectly!
A chef's salad isn't something only to be eaten at restaurants. You can easily make this Best Ever Chef's Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing at home with all the great add-ins and flavor you love!
This Kale Salad with Fresh Berries is a deliciously healthy side dish that takes only minutes to prepare. It's chock full of Mother Nature's healthiest ingredients and then topped with a homemade vinaigrette which has just the right amount of tang to complement the hearty kale.
You won't find a better macaroni salad than this chilled Macaroni and Pea Salad. It may sound like a bold statement, but it's the truth. This pasta salad has a perfectly balanced flavor that's light and refreshing.
If you're looking for a coleslaw recipe you can make in advance that tastes amazing and can remain outdoors without running for cover during summer's hottest weather, look no further. This No Mayo Sweet Sour Coleslaw will be your backyard BBQ's best friend!!
When you make this recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did. Google appreciates ratings on recipes and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale Cabbage Salad
Equipment
- food processor optional for shredding vegetables
- plastic wrap optional, for chilling
- garlic press optional
Ingredients
- 1 small head green cabbage chopped into a small dice
- ½ 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 apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the green and purple cabbage along with the prepared carrots and kale.
- Add the salt, pepper, bacon bits, garlic, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider, cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth.
- Pour the cider and mayonnaise dressing over the cabbage mixture and stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours for the best flavor.
- Serve chilled with additional dried cranberries and sunflower seeds to the top, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for Sunflower crunch salad as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Sandra says
This recipe would make too much for my family since I’m the only one who will eat kale. I substituted Trader Joe’s 10oz bag of Cruciferous Crunch (kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green and red cabbage) for the vegetables in the recipe. The only other change was omitting the bacon. This is such a wonderful salad and the dressing is almost drinkable delicious. I plan on serving the original recipe at our Super Bowl party and am almost certain there won’t be any leftovers! Thank you for sharing this healthy, delicious recipe.
Renée says
Hi, Sandra!
I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe and I think the use of TJ's bagged salad is brilliant!
Thank you for the wonderful rating and comment.
Take good care,
Renee
Deborah White says
I made this for New Year 2024, what a hit. I omitted kale as did not have any, used 1 tsp of salt as tried to make a smaller amount, did not change anything else. I also made it a second time on Jan 4 (haha no leftovers) and used pecans as was too lazy to go to store for sunflower seeds.
Can't say enough about this salad. Thanks for the recipe!
Renée says
Wow, Deborah!
That is quite a glowing review!! Thank you so much for coming back to rate this recipe and leave your wonderful comment. It means the world to me.
I'm thrilled you (and others) enjoyed this so much.
I do hope you'll visit me again and check out more of my recipes.
Until we eat again,
Thank you so much!!
Renee
Emily says
I'm picky...I've been sadly disappointed with every coleslaw recipe I've tried, UNTIL this one came along. I'm not even a big cabbage fan, but I really enjoyed the ingredients in this recipe. Thank you!
Renée says
Wow, Emily!
I really appreciate you leaving this comment and also for the 5-star rating.
I'm so very happy you enjoyed this salad.
I hope you'll visit my site often and try more recipes.
Thanks so much,
Renee
Ruth says
This is my grandson’s favorite salad, one of the few ways he’ll eat his veggies!
Renée says
I'm go glad he loves this salad, Ruth! Thanks for telling me because it's heartwarming to me when a kid eats veggies and enjoys them.
Thanks also for the 5 star rating. I really appreciate it!
Take good care, and please come back to visit.
Renee
Johnny Baw says
Is it really supposed to have 2tsp of salt? I'm going to cut it out next time as I'm a little sensitive. Otherwise delicious and crunchy!
Renée says
Hi, Johnny!
Of course, if you're sensitive feel free to cut back on the salt.
That's always a wonderful idea. However, kosher salt isn't as strongly flavored
as iodized table salt, and I always use kosher salt.
If you don't already use kosher salt I suggest you give it a try.
I appreciate you giving this recipe 5 stars. Thank you very much!!
Have a wonderful day!
Renee
Jojo says
I followed the recipes and the salt was too much. Love the salad though. Going to try it again with 1/4 of the salt
Renée says
Hi, Jojo!
I've never heard anyone say that before, but everyone has different ideas of "too salty."
I'm glad you'll be making the recipe again and using salt to your taste.
Take good care,
Renee
Smilingdown says
Does the recipe really call for 1/4c. apple cider vinegar and 1 1/2T. apple cider vinegar which were separate on the ingredients list? I used 2T. Apple cider vinegar and adjusted the salt from 2t. to only 1/2t.
Other than that the recipe was good.
Renée says
Hello,
The ¼ cup is of apple cider or apple juice. The sweet stuff. The beverage. Not cider vinegar.
The apple cider vinegar is different, and that is 1½ tablespoons.
I hope this helps. Cider vinegar and Apple Cider or Juice.
Have a good day,
Renee
Cathy says
What would happen if you put the dressing on and keep it in the refrigerator? How long would it last? Would it get too mushy or be ok for a few days?
Renée says
It will definitely be okay for a few days. The cabbage and kale are hearty veggies that will stand up and retain their crunch.
Go ahead and make it ahead. You'll be fine. That's also why the leftovers are ok to keep for awhile. I'd put a 6 day limit on it, however.
I hope this is helpful.
Have a great day,
Renee
Kristina Olson says
Delicious! Thank you for posting.
One of my favorites. I have made it several times. It's handles substitutions very well. I have made with stevia, maple syrup and honey on separate occasions. Even used raisins when I didn't have cranberries and pumpkin seeds when I didn't have sunflower seeds. All variations were extremely enjoyable.
I really appreciate your time and effort in sharing this must have recipe.
Kristina
Renée says
You are a doll, Kristina!
Thank you for your lovely comment and the 5 star rating.
I'm glad this recipe works so well for you and adapts to your tastes and preferences.
Have a wonderful day,
Renee
Wendy Jackson says
Have you tried this with Greek Yogurt instead of mayo? If not, do you think it would be as good? Thank you!
Renée says
Hi, Wendy!
I have not tried this with Greek yogurt, but I do have a few suggestions if you do.
Make sure you cut back on the amount of vinegar used in the recipe. Since Greek yogurt has quite a tang to it already, I wouldn't want it to overpower the salad.
You still want a nice balance of sweet and tart.
I'd also cut back a on the amount of apple cider so the dressing is on the thicker side and not runny, but that's just me.
Play around a little with the amounts, and taste as you go. That's your best bet.
I don't know if this helps, but it's my suggestion. Let me know.
Thanks so much for your question.
Have a great day,
Renee
Wendy Jackson says
Your suggestions were great and the salad was very popular...served it to a large group and everyone wanted the recipe. I am making another batch now and realized I didn't reply. Thank you for a great recipe!
Renée says
I'm so happy this recipe was well received, Wendy. Thank you very much for letting me know.
Thanks also for the 5-star rating. I appreciate it.
Take good care,
Renee