Hello all! Welcome to the best, Easy Kale Salad recipe you will ever stumble upon. How can I be that confident? The reactions I get every time I make this Mind Blowing Kale Salad says it all! Those faces, the pucker, the mind blowing eye raises. Happens every single time. Even people that claim they do not like kale, absolutely LOVE this easy kale salad! You have to make this since it will make you the cooking star you always hoped you would be!
This recipe is filled with tons of nutritious ingredients and It comes together in minutes. My kind of recipe!
Why is kale so good for you?
- 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
- Plan based protein
- All of which help lower blood pressure, fights heart disease, aids in digestion. The list goes on!
Check out this recipe for “How To Cook Kale” from Delish.com. It comes out perfect every time and its super EASY!
This Easy Kale Salad recipe only has a few ingredients:
- Kale
- Pistachios
- Golden raisins
- Lemons
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Salt
Serving this salad at parties and family gatherings has been amazing! I love seeing my family and friends eating healthier foods and kale is right up there with sweet potato and avocado on the “Good for you” list. This recipe is also great for the kids and is the only way I can get mine to eat their greens so there you go!
So how did I make this masterpiece you ask? Only a few very easy steps.
Step one: Chop, rinse and salad spin your kale and place it in a large salad bowl or platter.
Step Two: Make the lemon dressing. This is so good!
Super easy, you just add the lemon juice, half the lemon zest, ACV, maple syrup, salt and pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil. Yum!!!
Step Three: Add the raisins and the nuts to the kale, then add the salad dressing, toss well and add in the freshly grated parmesan cheese.
I like to add in half the dressing and toss to see how much I really need. If I don’t need all of it, I just store the dressing in the fridge. It never goes to waste!
Check out some of my other awesome Easy Kale Salad recipes!
Simple Winter Kale Salad with Sweet Potato Croutons
Baby Kale, Spinach, Fennel and Apple Fall Salad with A Mustard Vinaigrette
Hearty Kale Lentil Potato Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
My Mind Blowing Kale Salad!
Ingredients
- 2 bunches (about 6 cups) of Lacinto Kale
- 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup Golden Raisins
- 1/2 cup Chopped Pistachios (or any nuts you have on hand)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- First, you want to rinse your kale thoroughly, send it through the salad spinner and then thinly slice it.
- Place the kale in a large salad bowl or platter and set aside.
- To make the dressing: Zest and juice the lemons, set aside. Add the ACV, lemon juice, half the lemon zest, maple syrup and salt and pepper to a small mixing bowl and whisk, slowly drizzling in the olive oil. Whisk well to emulsify.
- Add the golden raisins and pistachios to the kale.
- Pour the dressing on the kale salad and toss well. Add in the remaining lemon zest.
- Add in the parmesan cheese and lightly toss. Enjoy!!!!
Notes
If you are making this ahead, just store the salad and the dressing seperatley in the fridge and when you are ready to eat it just add your dressing to the salad and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 195 Total Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 6mg Sodium: 139mg Carbohydrates: 18g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 8g Protein: 6g
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!