Best Kale Salad Recipes

THE BEST KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Place kale in a large serving bowl; add 1 teaspoon olive oil and 2 pinches salt. Gently massage the oil and salt into kale. Set aside to allow kale to soften, about 10 minutes.
• Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper in a plastic or glass container with a lid. Cover container and vigorously shake until dressing is light yellow and evenly combined.
• Layer carrots, roasted corn, tortilla chips, almonds, and smoked cheese on top of kale. Drizzle dressing over salad. Mix salad using tongs to evenly distribute. Gently stir eggs into salad.

KALE AND QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir quinoa into the boiling water, reduce heat to medium-low, place cover on the saucepan, and cook until water absorbs into the quinoa, about 12 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Remove cover and allow quinoa to cool completely.
• Put kale in a large mixing bowl.
• Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, pepper, and salt together in a bowl until oil emulsifies into the mixture; drizzle over kale. Add cooled quinoa, pecans, currants, and feta cheese to the dressed kale and toss to incorporate.

KALE, QUINOA, AND AVOCADO SALAD WITH LEMON DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring the quinoa and 1 1/3 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the water has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Place kale in a steamer basket over 1 inch of boiling water in a saucepan. Cover saucepan with a lid and steam kale until hot, about 45 seconds; transfer to a large plate. Top kale with quinoa, avocado, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and feta cheese.
• Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and black pepper together in a bowl until the oil emulsifies into the dressing; pour over the salad.

SUPER SUMMER KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil together in a bowl until sugar is dissolved; set aside.
• Toss kale, edamame, red onion, carrot, blueberries, dried cranberries, cashew pieces, and sunflower seeds together in a bowl. Pour about half the dressing over the mixture and toss to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours. Serve remaining dressing on side.

CRISPY RICE SALAD WITH KALE

Steps:

• Fill a cast-iron pan with 1 1/2 inches oil and heat to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with paper towels and set aside.
• Meanwhile, make your dressing. Combine the garlic and ginger in a large bowl. Add the Thai bird chile. Add 2 tablespoons hot oil from your cast iron into the mixture. Add the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar and whisk together. Let the mixture sit while you prepare your other ingredients.
• Add the peanuts to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and add to the dressing. Mix to coat the peanuts.
• In the same cast-iron pan, scatter the rice in the hot oil and fry until crispy and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the fried rice to the lined sheet tray to drain.
• Add the kale, shallot, cilantro leaves and crispy rice to a large bowl and toss with the peanuts and dressing to taste. Serve immediately.

KALE SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Combine water and cranberries in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until cranberries are soft and liquid is syrupy, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in honey, remove from the heat, and allow to cool.
• Put kale and red onion in an 8-quart pot or a very large bowl.
• Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl; pour over the kale and stir well. Add feta cheese, walnuts, and moist cranberries with their syrup; stir until well combined. Cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate, stirring occasionally, until kale has wilted and shrunken in size, 3 to 8 hours.
• To serve, transfer to a smaller serving bowl.

KALE-AND-APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, Dijon, honey, and garlic. Whisk in oil in a slow steady stream until emulsified; season with salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, toss kale, apple, celery, and celery leaves with dressing; top with Parmigiano-Reggiano before serving.

KALE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Place mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Set aside.
• Place kale in a large salad bowl. Using your hands, massage the kale to soften slightly. Add a few dollops of the dressing on top of the kale, and stir until all pieces are lightly coated with the dressing. Sprinkle with croutons and top with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

COLORFUL KALE AND SPINACH SALAD AND HOMEMADE DRESSING

Steps:

• Toss kale, spinach, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and red bell pepper together in a large mixing bowl.
• Mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; seal and shake until mixed completely. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat.

QUINOA, BUTTERNUT SQUASH, AND KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Add butternut squash and zucchini; toss until coated. Place butternut squash and zucchini onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven, tossing once half way through, until soft, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven; cool.
• Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Combine remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, butternut squash, zucchini, quinoa, kale, parsley, raisins, red onion, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a bowl; toss until salad is combined.

KALE SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, POMEGRANATE, AND PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together squash, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Place whole head of garlic on a sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tsp. oil, wrap securely in foil and place on baking sheet with squash. Roast, stirring squash occasionally after the first 15 minutes, until squash is golden and tender and garlic is tender, 35-40 minutes. Remove garlic and squash from oven and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp. oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pepitas and cook, stirring occasionally, until about half are golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with 1/4 tsp. salt. Set aside.
• Cut off the top of the garlic head and squeeze all of the softened garlic into a medium bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, shallot, 1 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper, then whisk in oil in a slow, steady stream.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine kale with about 3/4 of the dressing, and use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale. Add more dressing as needed (you may not need all of it). Reserve any leftover dressing for another use.
• Add roasted squash, Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds to bowl; toss together to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
• Do ahead
• Dressing can be prepared 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Squash and garlic can be roasted, and kale can be sliced 1 day ahead; place separately in airtight containers and chill. Salad can be tossed together 30 minutes ahead; keep at room temperature.

KALE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Toss in half the garlic and the crushed red pepper and bring the pan to medium heat. Cook the garlic until it becomes golden and very aromatic, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the garlic and ditch it-it has fulfilled its garlic destiny. Toss in the bread cubes and cook, stirring frequently, until they are golden, crisp, and have absorbed all the oil, like little olive oil sponges. Remove from the heat and reserve.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the Parmigiano, lemon zest and juice, the remaining garlic, the Dijon, anchovies, and Worcestershire. Puree until the mixture is smooth, 15 to 20 seconds. With the machine running, add 1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil through the feed tube. Let the processor continue to run for another 10 to 15 seconds. Taste and season with salt if needed.
• In a large bowl, toss the kale with the croutons and two-thirds of the dressing. Let the kale sit for 3 to 4 minutes to soften. Taste, add the remaining dressing, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

HOUSTON'S-STYLE KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, mustard, sugar, cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl. Slowly drizzle in the peanut oil, whisking constantly.
• Make the salad: Add the kale and cabbage to the bowl; toss and massage with your hands until the kale softens, about 1 minute. Add the peanuts, cilantro and scallions and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

KALE AND QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Steep the kale in hot water in a large bowl until it turns slightly brighter, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and pat dry.
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
• Pour half the dressing over the kale in a large bowl. Massage the kale leaves with your hands. Add the quinoa, tomatoes and more dressing and toss together with 2 spoons. Mix in the goat cheese and pine nuts. Transfer the salad to a serving dish. Allow to sit for 20 minutes before serving.

KALE AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Massage kale with salt in a large mixing bowl for 2 minutes. Pour vinegar over the kale and toss to coat. Fold apple, feta cheese, currants, and pine nuts into the kale.

KALE AND CUCUMBER SALAD WITH LEMON TAHINI DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine tahini, soybean oil, lemon juice, water, garlic, soy sauce and sugar in small bowl. Stir until smooth.
• Place kale and cucumbers in large bowl. Pour dressing over kale; toss until combined.
• Marinate for a minimum of 20 minutes, tossing occasionally.
• Sprinkle with almonds and golden raisins.

MAUI KALE SALAD WITH SWEET ONION DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the kale, cabbage, cranberries, and sweet onion dressing. Toss to coat and mix thoroughly, using your hands if desired. Transfer to the fridge and let chill for at least 15 minutes.
• When ready to serve, add the potato chips and peanuts and toss to combine. Season with a pinch of salt, if needed.

BEET AND KALE SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place beets in a large pot, and cover with water. Add enough salt so that the water tastes like the ocean, about 2 tablespoons. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until skins slip easily off beets, about 15 minutes. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel beets. Cut red beets into quarters lengthwise and Chioggias into 1/2-inch rounds. Combine beets, 2 tablespoons oil, and the vinegar, and gently toss.
• Place kale in a large bowl, and bruise very roughly with hands. Add 1 tablespoon oil, season with salt and pepper, and massage into leaves 1 minute. Add lemon juice, and toss.
• To serve, make a bed of kale on a platter, and scatter beets on top. Crumble goat cheese into chunks, and scatter over salad. Season with pepper.

CREAMY KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Mix kale, red onion, and raisins in a large bowl.
• Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice together in a bowl; pour over the kale mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate 2 hours to overnight. Sprinkle sunflower seeds over the salad and toss to serve.

ROASTED YAM AND KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Toss the yams with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and arrange evenly onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the yams are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool to room temperature in the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion and garlic until the onion has caramelized to a golden brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in the kale, cooking until wilted and tender. Transfer the kale mixture to a bowl, and cool to room temperature in the refrigerator.
• Once all the ingredients have cooled, combine the yams, kale, red wine vinegar, and fresh thyme in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and gently stir to combine.