Kale Salad Recipe | It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

This kale salad recipe is contemporary, crunchy, hearty, and full of taste! Made with finely shredded kale, a zippy lemon Dijon dressing, chewy dried cranberries, crunchy almonds, and crispy chickpeas or croutons, this simple salad is something however boring. Excellent as a wholesome lunch, aspect dish, or meal-prep pleasant salad that really tastes scrumptious.

In the event you’ve by no means been a kale salad particular person, this is likely to be the recipe that adjustments your thoughts. The key is not fancy components, it is the way you put together the kale. Finely shredding it and giving it a fast therapeutic massage transforms it from powerful and bitter into tender, flavorful greens that really take in dressing. Add candy dried cranberries, crunchy toasted almonds, crispy chickpeas, and a brilliant lemon Dijon dressing, and all of the sudden kale salad turns into one thing you will truly crave. The primary time I made this salad, Adam took one chew and requested, “How did you get the kale so tender?” So, now you already know. It is certainly one of my favourite make-ahead lunches as a result of it stays contemporary for days with out turning soggy.

Bowl of kale salad with chickpeas, almonds, cranberries, and vegan Parmesan.

What Makes This My Go-To Kale Salad Recipe

Legit scrumptious: This is not a type of salads you eat simply because it is wholesome. It truly tastes good too! Tender kale, crunchy toppings, and a brilliant dressing make each chew scrumptious.
Excellent for meal prep: Kale stays contemporary and hearty for days with out wilting like lettuce does.
Filled with texture: Chewy, crunchy, creamy, and tender textures make each chew attention-grabbing.
Customizable: It is a salad that is simple to make your personal. (I share some variation concepts later on this publish too!)

Elements for Kale Salad

For the Salad

Kale: Curly kale or lacinato kale each work on this recipe, however no matter you employ, make sure you take away the powerful stems.
Dried cranberries or golden raisins: These add a pleasant candy distinction and chewy texture.
Toasted almonds or pepitas: For crunch.
Crispy roasted chickpeas or vegan croutons: I often use crispy roasted chickpeas as a result of they add a protein enhance.
Vegan Parmesan (elective): This do-it-yourself vegan Parmesan is my favourite, however even simply an additional sprinkle of dietary yeast will do.

For the Lemon Dijon Dressing

Olive oil: You may additionally want somewhat further for massaging the kale.
Contemporary lemon juice: The acidity and brightness assist steadiness the flavour of the kale.
Dijon mustard: Provides depth and in addition helps emulsify the dressing.
Maple syrup or agave: To steadiness the lemon juice.
Garlic: You simply want one small clove; in case your cloves are large, you need to use half of 1.
Dietary yeast: For a refined tacky, savory taste.
Salt and black pepper: To style.

Find out how to Make Kale Salad

Therapeutic massage the Kale: Add the shredded kale to a big bowl. Drizzle with a number of teaspoons of olive oil and therapeutic massage the leaves together with your fingers for 1 to 2 minutes till they’re darker, softer, and decreased in quantity.

Lemon Dijon vinaigrette in bowl with whisk.

Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk collectively the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic, dietary yeast, salt, and pepper.

Costume the Salad: Pour the dressing over the kale and toss till each leaf is evenly coated.

Kale, vegan Parmesan, crispy chickpeas, almonds, and dried cranberries in bowl.

Add the Toppings: Simply earlier than serving, sprinkle on the dried cranberries, toasted almonds, crispy roasted chickpeas (or croutons), and vegan parmesan.

Ideas and Variations

Shred the kale finely: After eradicating the stems, stack the leaves, roll them up tightly, then slice into skinny ribbons.
Preserve the crunchy toppings separate for meal prep: In the event you’re making this kale salad forward of time, retailer the chickpeas, croutons, and nuts individually and add them simply earlier than serving.
Make it oil-free: Use my go-to oil-free salad dressing and therapeutic massage the kale leaves with lemon juice as a substitute of olive oil.
Customise it: Strive including avocado, chopped apple, roasted candy potato, quinoa, marinated tofu, tempeh bacon, shredded carrots, roasted beets, cucumber, sunflower seeds, pickled onions, or contemporary herbs.

Bowl of kale salad with lemon wedge and fork.

Serving Solutions

This kale salad is the proper accompaniment to:

Storage and Meal Prep

As soon as assembled, retailer leftover kale salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. For the very best texture, retailer the chickpeas, croutons, and nuts individually and add them simply earlier than serving.