This is a simple, easy kale salad recipe that is tangy, crunchy, and full of incredible lemon flavor. Easy to make-ahead and ready in less than 10 minutes!
This easy kale salad recipe with lemon dressing has become such a staple in our family. I make it for almost every family gathering (at the request of my family) as well as those times when we are in a dinner salad rut.
Kale salad is a wonderful side dish that goes perfectly with anything like chicken, shrimp, casseroles, quiche, or even chickpea flour crust pizza.
This recipe is something you can hand off to the kids to make while you tend to the other meal preparations.
Even people that claim they do not like kale, absolutely LOVE this easy kale salad! It has that heartiness from the dark, leafy kale, crunchiness from the pistachios, sweetness from the raisins and a beautiful pucker from the tangy, bold lemon dressing.
A dressing that is not really made for anyone that doesn’t like lemon. Check out my recipe variations below for my non-lemon lover option which I have tested on my beloved non-lemon lover husband. Haha!
Why is kale good for you?
Kale is considered a superfood since it can boost a range of health problems due to the abundance of nutrients it contains like:
-
- Vitamins B6, K, and C
- Iron
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Antioxidants
- Plant-based protein
All of which help lower blood pressure, fight heart disease and aid in digestion. The list goes on! Plus kale is insanely delicious and easy to add to any meal.
How to use kale
Kale is extremely versatile and can bring a fresh and healthy element to so many types of dishes.
You could use kale in big green salad recipes (probably the most obvious choice), in patties like these quinoa and kale patties, as a topping on pizza, in buddha bowls, sauces like pesto or even to make crispy healthy kale chips, endless possibilities.
Check out this recipe for “How To Cook Kale” from Delish.com. It comes out perfect every time, and it’s super EASY! One of my faves!
How to prepare kale
One of the most important things to mention when it comes to prepping raw kale is that you must wash it first and then massage it.
Wash the kale:
- You will want to remove the kale leaves from the stem first, by curving your hand like a cat paw and running it down each stem of kale.
- Then rinse it well in a strainer while running it underwater.
- Finally, I like to run it through the salad spinner to release any extra moisture, which allows the kale to remain firm and crisp.
Massage the kale: So how do you massage kale? It’s effortless.
- After you wash it place it into a bowl, add a drizzle of olive oil or lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
- Use your fingers to massage it for a few minutes. It will turn beautiful and dark green and delicious right before your eyes. It’s magic!
This will get it sweet and tender, and make it easier to work with and digest. Massaging your kale helps to break down the fibers, and it gets so dark and merely gorgeous in my opinion.
Ingredients Needed For This Easy Kale Salad
How to make this Easy Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing
First, as I mentioned, make sure you wash and massage the kale. I like to chop the kale thin into strips so it’s easier to work with and eat. Then place it into a bowl and combine it with the rest of the salad ingredients.
- Pistachios
- Golden raisins or dried cranberries
- Lemon zest
- Shredded parmesan cheese
Whip up the lemon dressing by putting all of the dressing ingredients (apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, lemon juice, salt and pepper, olive oil) into a mason jar and shake, shake, shake until it all emulsifies and becomes a sweet, creamy dressing. Pour the lemon dressing onto the salad and toss to coat everything.
It is so incredibly tasty. The tangy lemon dressing brings this salad to a whole new level.
You can make this for your weekly meal-prep, store it in the fridge undressed, and then pull it out whenever you need it. Just pour on the dressing, toss, and wallah! Kale salad in minutes!
Easy Kale Salad Recipe Variations
- You can use any kind of kale for this recipe – I like to use dark lacinato kale or curly kale.
- Golden raisins or dried canrberries work perfectly in this salad.
- Dairy-free? Replace the parmesan cheese with vegan Parmesan, and you have a delicious vegan version of this Easy Kale Salad.
- Want to make this fully vegetarian? Swap the parmesan cheese with soft crumbled goat cheese.
- Add some protein. You can add crispy roasted chickpeas, grilled chicken or even shrimp to this salad and it would be delicious!
- Not a fan of lemon? Swap the lemon zest and juice with the zest and juice of an orange.
What to serve with this Easy Kale Salad
Did you make this recipe? If so, then please leave a rating and comment below.
Easy Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing
Ingredients
For the Kale Salad
- 2 Bunches dark leafy kale thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Golden raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup Pistachios
- 1/2 cup Shredded parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon about 1 tbsp
For the Lemon Dressing
- 2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice about the juice of 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Add the sliced kale to a medium-size mixing bowl or salad bowl, drizzle on a little olive oil and sprinkle of salt and pepper and lightly massage it for 1 minute to help break it down a little.
- Add the 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, and the zest of 1 lemon to the kale and lightly toss everything together.
- Make the dressing: Add the juice from the 2 lemons, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to a mason jar with a lid and shake it well until it emulsifies. You can also add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until it emulsifies.
- Pour the dressing on the kale salad and toss well.
- Serve cold and ENJOY!
Notes
- If you are making this ahead, store the salad and the dressing separately in the fridge in an airtight container and when you are ready to eat it, add your dressing to the mixture and enjoy!
- To make this a vegan salad sub the parmesan cheese with vegan parmesan.
- You can use any kind of kale for this recipe – I like to use dark lacinato kale or curly kale.
- Golden raisins or dried canrberries work perfectly in this salad.
- Dairy-free? Replace the parmesan cheese with vegan Parmesan, and you have a delicious vegan version of this Easy Kale Salad.
- Want to make this fully vegetarian? Swap the parmesan cheese with soft crumbled goat cheese.
- Add some protein. You can add crispy roasted chickpeas, grilled chicken or even shrimp to this salad and it would be delicious!
- Not a fan of lemon? Swap the lemon zest and juice with the zest and juice of an orange.
Nutrition
Update: This recipe was updated with more recipe variations and photos, including an option for those that are too keen on the lemon flavor.
Hi I was wondering how many weight watchers points this would be . Thanks
Hi Maxine, I am not an expert on weight watchers but my mom is. It looks like this would be around 6 to 7 ww points per serving. If you leave out the maple syrup it would be about 5 points per serving. This is based on the current calculator and not the older ww calculators. Hope that helps!!!!
Delicious! Made this yesterday and devoured an entire bowl. Offered it to my 7 year old son when he got home from school and he devoured his too! He literally yelled out, “this is the best salad everrrrr!” Lol! Thank you for an awesome recipe! I know all my vegan/veggie friends and family will love this too! Having another bowl with dinner tonight.
Yay! I am so glad you and your son liked it. My kids love it too!
I made this tonight and it was so good! I used Craisins instead of the raisins because that’s what I had on hand. Will be making this again. Thanks!!
Awesome! So glad you like it!
Really yummy salad. I too massaged it pretty well and it was tender. I also made it vegan with vegan parm. Thanks so much I will definitely make it again.
Hi Paulette! That sounds so good! Glad you liked it.
Amy’s father-in-law hates kale but he loves this salad. A win in this house!!
If making it ahead for lunches, will it keep for a week as long as you dont combine the dressing with the kale?
Hi Misty! Yes, I as long as you keep the dressing separate from the salad it should last up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. I make it a lot and store it for the week and it works out great!
Thanks for the recipe, we loved it!
Hi Daniella, that is so great! So glad you liked it!
If I cant find Lacinto kale would it change things too much using the regular kale?
Hi Patti, yes you can use regular kale. You will just want to thinly slice it and massage it with your fingers for a few minutes to break it down before adding the rest of the ingredients. I have made it that way before and it was just as good.
I would never trust any kale recipe which doesn’t have a step to “knead” the kale. It’s the only way to make the kale soft and edible.
Hi Sheldon! I totally agree! I always massage my kale and I note that in all of my other salad recipes except with Lacinto kale I have found that if you thinly slice it there is no need to massage it since it is thinner than curly kale. I will add a note in the recipe. Thank you for your comment!!
Great salad! I also made it this last time by adding 2 tablespoons of tahini to the dressing and a little red pepper flakes. So yummy!
Awesome! Glad you liked it. Great idea to add your own spin on it. I will definitely try your version. It sounds delicious!