Artificial Food Coloring Free Cilantro-Lime Swiss Chard and Apple Salad
Bright, zesty, and built entirely from whole ingredients you can trust, this leafy salad is a refreshing reminder that bold flavor never needs a shortcut. Tender Swiss chard ribbons and crisp apple slices create a satisfying contrast in every bite, while a hand-whisked dressing of fresh lime juice, cilantro, honey, and cumin ties everything together with real, vibrant punch. Because every single component here is a whole food — no packaged sauces, no bottled dressings, no processed garnishes — there's nothing hiding on the ingredient list that shouldn't be there. Toasted pumpkin seeds add a nutty crunch that makes this feel like a complete dish rather than a simple side. The optional jalapeño gives you a gentle heat that plays beautifully against the sweetness of the apple without overwhelming the other flavors. It comes together quickly and tastes like something you'd order at a farm-to-table restaurant, except you made it at home with total confidence in what's on your plate.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 large bunch swiss chard (about 10 oz), stems removed, leaves thinly sliced into ribbons
- 1 large crisp apple (such as honeycrisp or granny smith), cored and thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely minced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and toast, stirring frequently, until they begin to pop and turn golden, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, honey, cumin, salt, pepper, and jalapeño, if using, until the dressing is well combined and slightly emulsified.
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