Best Kale Salad Recipe (2024)

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4.77 from 13 votes

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Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Published: March 31, 2023

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Are you ready for the absolute Best Kale Salad Recipe? Here it is. Featuring massaged kale, dried cranberries, almonds and a creamy lemon parmesan dressing, this salad couldn’t get any better!

If fresh and flavorful salads are your thing, I’ve got you covered with my Mediterranean Salad with Greek Salad Dressing, Smoked Salmon Salad, Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad, and Berry Orzo Spinach Salad, Portillos Chopped Salad.

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Why This Recipe Works

Tangy & Savory: The best and most important thing about this kale salad recipe is the flavor. The crunch of the kale and almonds along with the chewy cranberries pair perfectly with the lemony parmesan dressing! The creamy dressing uses mayo and yogurt to achieve the best texture, along with some fresh lemon and red wine vinegar for some tangy goodness!

Easy to Make: There is virtually not an easier salad recipe out there. The work needed for the best kale salad recipe goes into massaging the kale and making the dressing. Everything else is easily tossed together! I simply whisked together the dressing ingredients, but you can also blitz it in the food processor for a smoother dressing!

Good for You: Getting in your greens is important for lots of vitamins, calcium and potassium! You won’t even notice that this salad is good for you, but don’t worry, it is definitely filled with all the good for you nutrients you need!

Ingredients

My best kale salad recipe uses minimal ingredients for a gourmet salad and a homemade dressing! Here’s what you’ll need:

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  • Kale: I used curly kale and removed the rough stems.
  • Flaky Sea Salt: A flaky sea salt or course kosher salt is needed to massage the kale and make it more tender. Plus, this adds a great flavor to the kale.
  • Dried Cranberries: I love the flavor of dried cranberries here, but you can use other dried fruit as well!
  • Almond Slivers: Almond slivers or shaved almonds add a nice crunchy texture to the salad.
  • Parmesan: Shredded parmesan is added to the dressing for a slightly savory flavor.
  • Mayo & Yogurt: I used a combo of light mayo and plain yogurt to create the creamy base of the dressing.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: I emphasize the fresh here since there aren’t that many ingredients in the dressing, fresh is best.
  • EVOO: Extra Virgin Olive Oil is added to the dressing. Use a high quality EVOO here if possible.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: A little bit of red wine vinegar adds a depth of flavor and more tanginess to the dressing.
  • Cracked Black Pepper: To taste.

Here’s How to Make It

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Step by Step Instructions

Kale salad with cranberries can be made in just two easy steps! Here’s how to make it:

  1. Massage the Kale: Place the kale with a generous pinch of salt in a large bowl, massaging the salt into the kale until the kale goes soft and dark green, and has stained your fingers a little. The motion is the same one you would use rubbing butter into flour to make pastry. Add the dried cranberries and almond slivers and set aside.
  2. Make the Dressing & Assemble: To make the kale salad dressing, combine the parmesan, mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and the red wine vinegar and black pepper to taste before stirring into the kale just before serving.

Expert Tips

  • Be sure to remove the kale stems! Kale stems are rough and chewy so they are difficult to eat when the kale is raw. To easily remove the stems, hold your hand at the bottom of the stem and run your other hand up the leaf to remove the stem. Then, chop the leaves to the desired size.
  • Top with some protein! To make a full meal from this kale salad recipe, you can top this salad off with some grilled chicken, steak, fish, or shrimp!
  • Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days! Kale holds up with the dressing on it for longer than other types of greens. But after 2 days, it will become soggy.
  • You can make this salad ahead by prepping the kale, toppings, and dressing separately and tossing them together when you are ready to serve.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to massage the kale?

Kale is a fibrous green vegetable that benefits from massaging. By massaging the kale with the salt, you will break down some of those fibers making it easier to eat and digest!

Should you cook kale for a salad?

You don’t need to cook kale to add it to a salad. Kale is perfectly safe to eat raw and is actually a super food thanks to all of it’s nutrients! Massaging the kale does make it easier to eat and digest while raw.

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More Easy Salad Recipes to Try

  • Best Simple Tossed Salad
  • Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Salad
  • Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad
  • Honey Mustard Chicken Cobb Salad
  • Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

Did you make this recipe? EXCELLENT. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social when you share a photo of your CDLC creation – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

Best Kale Salad Recipe (6)

Best Kale Salad Recipe

Are you ready for the absolute Best Kale Salad Recipe? Here it is. Featuring massaged kale, dried cranberries, almonds and a creamy lemon parmesan dressing, this salad couldn't get any better!

4.77 from 13 votes

PrintPinRate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 4 cups curly kale - chopped with the rough stems removed
  • flaky sea salt - to taste
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup almond slivers or shaved almonds - toasted
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan
  • 2 tbsp light mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1-2 tsp red wine vinegar
  • cracked black pepper - to taste

Instructions

  • Place the kale with a generous pinch of salt in a large bowl, massaging the salt into the kale until the kale goes soft and dark green, and has stained your fingers a little bit. The motion is the same as you would use rubbing butter into flour to make pastry. Add the dried cranberries and almond slivers, and set aside.

  • To make the dressing, combine the parmesan, mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and the red wine vinegar and black pepper to taste before stirring into the kale just before serving.

Notes

  1. For a smoother dressing, blitz it in a food processor or bullet blender, or grate the parmesan using a microplane citrus zester, but I like how little pieces of cheese cling to the kale here.
  2. This salad will keep overnight in the fridge and will happily sit out for a few hours so it is great for a potluck or gathering.

Nutrition

Calories: 241 kcal, Carbohydrates: 20 g, Protein: 9 g, Fat: 16 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8 g, Trans Fat: 0.01 g, Cholesterol: 11 mg, Sodium: 299 mg, Potassium: 362 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 13 g, Vitamin A: 6806 IU, Vitamin C: 66 mg, Calcium: 364 mg, Iron: 2 mg

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Author: Tiffany

Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @cremedelacrumb1 on Instagram and hashtag it #cremedelacrumb!

Best Kale Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most delicious way to eat kale? ›

  1. 01 of 10. Add It to Homemade Hummus. Jennifer Causey. ...
  2. 02 of 10. Stir It Into Soups. ...
  3. 03 of 10. Sneak It Into Pesto. ...
  4. 04 of 10. Blend It Into a Smoothie. ...
  5. 05 of 10. Bake Some Crispy Kale Chips. ...
  6. 06 of 10. Fold It Into Eggs, Quiches, and Frittatas. ...
  7. 07 of 10. Sprinkle It on Pizza. ...
  8. 08 of 10. Wilt It Down for a Steak-House-Worthy Side.
Jul 20, 2023

How do you make kale taste better? ›

Try to make the pieces approximately the same size for even cooking. In a large bowl stir together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Add kale and massage well. You can be aggressive, this will help to break down the fibrous parts of the kale leaves and distribute the seasoning.

What pairs well with kale? ›

Vegetables: Kale can be paired with other vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

Why do I feel so good after eating kale? ›

Kale is a nutritious food rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, and beta-carotene. It also contains nutrients that can support eye health, weight management, heart health, and more. Loaded with important micronutrients and antioxidants, kale is one of the most nutritious leafy greens available.

Why do I feel better after eating kale? ›

Kale can be good for adding fiber and antioxidants to the diet in many savory dishes, salads, and smoothies. Various health benefits include managing blood pressure and boosting digestive health. Kale is a leafy green cruciferous vegetable that is rich in nutrients.

Can you eat kale raw in a salad? ›

Kale doesn't need to be cooked to be enjoyed. If you slice it into fine ribbons or tear it into small bits, it makes a great salad.

Do you eat kale stems? ›

Cutting the stems crossways shortens the fibres, much as with a tough steak, making them perfectly edible and preventing waste. Cut this way, the stems can be cooked in the same way as the rest of the leaf: sauteed, boiled or steamed.

Should you soak kale before eating? ›

Soaking kale in warm water can also work to tenderize it. The dip into the water will also serve to clean it in preparation for a favorite kale recipe. This technique will help to improve the flavor after you have chopped it on your board with a sharp kitchen knife.

What is not compatible with kale? ›

Companion planting kale will repel some of the common pests that affect the plants. However, for some reason, kale does not enjoy the companionship of basil. The kale will do well with potatoes but will not get along well tomatoes. Additionally,kale will not do well with strawberries.

What are 3 ways you can eat kale? ›

Here are 10 ways to use it.
  • As a Substitute for Spinach. Kale works nicely in recipes that call for spinach, like those for egg dishes, salads or lasagna. ...
  • In a Dip. Cooked kale can be chopped or pureed to make a variety of dips. ...
  • Juiced. ...
  • Sauteed with Veggies. ...
  • In a Salad. ...
  • As Pesto. ...
  • In a Soup.

What are the enemies of kale? ›

Aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage worms (from those white butterflies you see flying around the garden) are a few annoying pests that can put a serious dent in your kale harvest.

Is it better to eat kale cooked or raw? ›

Raw kale can be hard to digest. Kale's fibrous cell walls may prevent your body from absorbing nutrients, but cooking kale can reduce its antioxidant content. Nutrition experts say steaming kale is a good way to make it easier to digest while preserving most of the nutrients.

How do you cook kale so it is not chewy? ›

Instead, after you've washed the leaves, leave them damp. The water that clings to the leaves will create steam when you toss them in the hot skillet. As the kale cooks, you'll cover the skillet for a few minutes; that steam will help wilt and break down the kale perfectly.

Is it better to steam or boil kale? ›

Each gives very different taste experiences. If you like a more mild and tender flavor, steam it. If you want crispy edges and browned notes, give the greens a quick saute.

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