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• My Persimmon Salad Is Festive, Sweet, And Has The Most Unexpected Dressing
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Persimmon Salad
• My Recipe Tips
• Persimmon Salad Recipe card
• Serving Ideas
• Recipe Reviews

My Persimmon Salad Is Festive, Sweet, And Has The Most Unexpected Dressing

This persimmon salad might be my new favorite for fall, which is lucky because it came together by accident. I had too many ripe persimmons (even for my persimmon-loving kids) and a bag of brussels sprouts, and recalled a time when one of my friends used blended fruit to sweeten a salad dressing. So, I did the same with persimmon, and ended up with this salad that I’ve repeated several times since. Here’s why you should, too:

• Naturally sweet + festive – Persimmons have a honey-like flavor that’s mellow and smooth — perfect against tangy, creamy goat cheese, toasty, crunchy pecans, and the bite of red onions. If you like my brussels sprout salad and pomegranate salad but want something sweeter and more unique, this persimmon salad recipe is the one I find most impressive to put on a holiday table.
• The dressing might be my favorite part – It’s creamy (without any cream), lightly sweet, and blends real persimmon right in, with a hint of cinnamon honey for cozy flavor that ties everything together. I’m so impressed with how well it worked.
• Fast and meal prep friendly – The slicing and blending is super quick, but what I really love is all these ingredients are hardy enough to chop in advance. The avocado is the only exception, and maybe the apple if browning bothers you (but I have a trick for that).

If you need a last-minute holiday side dish recipe that’s festive and super easy, this persimmon salad not only fits the bill, it might actually steal the show. Make it with me!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my persimmon salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Persimmons – If you’re wondering, what are persimmons? They’re a sweet, reddish-orange fall fruit with a honey-like flavor. I love them for salads this time of year! More specifically, I recommend Fuyu persimmons (which are firm and squat like a tomato) for salads. Avoid Hachiya persimmons, which taste astrigent until they get very soft — and at that point they’re too soft for salad.
• Brussels Sprouts – I like to use pre-shredded brussels sprouts when I can find them (such a time-saver!), but if you’re starting with whole ones, just trim the ends and run them through a food processor with the slicing blade. A sharp knife or mandoline works too, but the processor is fastest. If you have more than you need, save the rest for my shredded brussels sprouts hash . You can also use lettuce, spinach, or kale as the base if you prefer.
• Apple – I prefer sweet apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji here, but you can use granny smith if you want it more tart. Pears are good, too!
• Avocado – For a creamy contrast. And because I put avocado in almost every salad.
• Red Onions – I like red onions here for the pop of color and sharp bite, but if they’re too strong for you, try shallots instead.
• Goat Cheese – This helps balance the sweetness of the fruit and richness of the dressing. Feel free to swap in feta, blue cheese, or even shaved parmesan.
• Pomegranate Seeds – Totally optional, but I love the extra bright color and flavor they add (and my youngest always steals them from the bowl). You could toss in dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots instead, or just skip them.
• Pecans – I like toasted pecans for a little nutty crunch, but walnuts or sliced almonds would also be delicious. Even pumpkin seeds work if you need a nut-free option!

Persimmon Dressing:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I love the rich flavor of EVOO in this dressing, but avocado oil is a good neutral option.
• Persimmon – Blending it into the dressing adds natural sweetness, a thicker texture, and a gorgeous golden-orange color.
• Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Cinnamon Honey – This is one of my flavored natural honey varieties and it works so well here! It tastes and drizzles like regular honey but without the sugar, and the cinnamon adds cozy fall flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds just enough tang to balance the sweetness, and emulsifies the dressing. White wine vinegar or lemon juice work too, but I prefer ACV in fall salads.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Make Persimmon Salad

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Assemble the salad. Toss the shredded brussels sprouts, persimmon wedges, apple slices, avocado, red onion, goat cheese, pomegranate seeds, and pecans in a big bowl — or spread them out on a platter like I did below.
2. Make the dressing. I blend olive oil, persimmon, cinnamon honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small blender or mini food processor , until smooth.
3. Dress it up. Drizzle the dressing over the persimmon salad and enjoy!

My Recipe Tips

• For the best texture in every bite, try to slice the apples and onions nice and thin . It helps them mix in evenly without overpowering the salad.
• I find it easiest to cut the persimmon into 4 wedges first. For the dressing, I peel each wedge with a peeler ( this is the one I use ) before blending — see my picture below. For the salad itself, I cut into thinner wedges but leave the skin on.

• The dressing should be thick enough to cling to a spoon but still pour or drizzle easily. If it’s too thick, just add a tiny splash of water or oil.
• The recipe makes about 2/3 cup of dressing. I think it’s the perfect amount for this salad because it coats everything lightly without drowning it. But if you like your salads extra saucy or want some on the side, feel free to double it.
• I prefer to drizzle this dressing instead of tossing. You can toss it if you want since the sprouts are hardy enough, but with this thicker dressing, I think the persimmon salad looks prettier and tastes better when I drizzle it in a thin stream.
• This dressing is best made fresh. While you can prep most of these ingredients in advance (and I often do), the dressing separated and solidified on me in the fridge. You can still pre-mix it if you like, but blend in the persimmon right before serving.
• Prefer a vinaigrette dressing? Just skip the persimmon in the dressing and it’ll turn into a vinaigrette.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts (shredded) ▢
• 3 medium Persimmon (cut into wedges; ~12 wedges each) ▢
• 1 medium Apple (sliced thinly) ▢
• 1 medium Avocado (diced) ▢
• 1/3 cup Red onions (sliced thinly) ▢
• 1/3 cup Goat cheese (crumbled) ▢
• 1/3 cup Pomegranate seeds (optional) ▢
• 1/3 cup Pecans ▢

Dressing:

• 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil ▢
• 1 medium Persimmon (peeled) ▢
• 1 tbsp Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Cinnamon Honey ▢
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar ▢
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt (to taste) ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a large bowl or platter, combine the shredded brussels sprouts, persimmon wedges, sliced apple, diced avocado, sliced red onions, crumbled goat cheese, pomegranate seeds, and pecans.
2. In a small blender or food processor , combine the olive oil, peeled persimmon, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad to serve.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best flavor and texture in this persimmon salad.
• Storage & meal prep: You can chop most of the ingredients ahead, except the apples and avocado are best cut fresh. The dressing also separates in the fridge, but you can mix most of it and just blend in the persimmon right before serving.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Persimmon Salad

Serving Ideas

This persimmon salad pairs well with everything from holiday mains to easy weeknight dinners. Here are a few of my favorite combos:

• Holiday Mains – Roasted turkey , lamb chops , beef tenderloin , Cornish hens , prime rib , or even glazed ham all work well with this salad. The sweet-savory combo and holiday colors in the salad makes it feel like it belongs.
• Easy Weeknight Mains – While I’ve been raving about this persimmon pomegranate salad for holidays, I’ve actually served it for fall and winter weeknights the most! It’s an easy upgrade for quick dinners like baked salmon , air fryer chicken breast , or pan seared pork chops .

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Persimmon Salad

My persimmon salad is colorful, sweet, and crunchy, with a creamy, fruity cinnamon honey dressing. Perfect for fall and the holidays!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/persimmon-salad/

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts (shredded)
• 3 medium Persimmon (cut into wedges; ~12 wedges each)
• 1 medium Apple (sliced thinly)
• 1 medium Avocado (diced)
• 1/3 cup Red onions (sliced thinly)
• 1/3 cup Goat cheese (crumbled)
• 1/3 cup Pomegranate seeds (optional)
• 1/3 cup Pecans

Dressing:

• 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium Persimmon (peeled)
• 1 tbsp Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Cinnamon Honey
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl or platter, combine the shredded brussels sprouts, persimmon wedges, sliced apple, diced avocado, sliced red onions, crumbled goat cheese, pomegranate seeds, and pecans.
2. In a small blender or food processor , combine the olive oil, peeled persimmon, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad to serve.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best flavor and texture in this persimmon salad.
• Storage & meal prep: You can chop most of the ingredients ahead, except the apples and avocado are best cut fresh. The dressing also separates in the fridge, but you can mix most of it and just blend in the persimmon right before serving.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)