Nitrate & Nitrite Free Cilantro-Lime Swiss Chard and Apple Salad
Bright, zippy, and genuinely refreshing, this leafy salad brings together tender Swiss chard ribbons, crisp apple slices, and a cilantro-lime dressing that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen. Every single ingredient here is whole and unprocessed — fresh produce, raw honey, olive oil, and spices you can see and smell — so there's no need to squint at a label wondering what's hiding inside. That matters a lot when you're trying to avoid cured or preserved ingredients that sneak nitrates and nitrites into otherwise innocent-looking foods. The toasted pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch and a nutty depth that makes this feel like a complete dish rather than a simple side. A quick whisk on the dressing and a few minutes in a dry skillet for the pepitas is genuinely all the effort this recipe asks of you. The sweet-tart apple plays beautifully against the slightly bitter chard, and the cumin and optional jalapeño give the whole bowl a subtle, warming kick. Serve it immediately after tossing so the chard stays vibrant and the seeds keep their crunch.
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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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