Best Lemon Kale Salad Dressing – Easy Recipe

This Kale Salad Dressing is simple, light, and fresh and is the very best way to dress up your kale and take it from good to great! It only requires a few pantry ingredients to make it and comes together in minutes. It is sure to become your favorite go-to salad dressing recipe. Vegan and gluten-free!!

This easy homemade kale salad dressing is much healthier than any store-bought dressing and it is made with all fresh and healthy ingredients.

You can make this dressing in minutes and enjoy it all week long since it stores great too! It is not just great on kale salads but works wonderfully on any type of salad or leafy greens.

This amazing easy salad dressing recipe is made with simple ingredients like fresh lemon juice, vinegar, and olive oil and can be paired with any kind of raw kale like curly kale or dinosaur kale for a vibrant, flavorful salad that everyone will love!

Try it on this easy kale salad, kale quinoa salad, or this must-make kale salad for a deliciously fresh addition that will make your salad the star of any meal.

Since kale is a nutritional powerhouse in the realm of hearty greens, this lemon dressing pairs perfectly with it. Top it with some cooked chicken breast and you have an amazing complete main dish the whole family will love.

Why This Is The Best Kale Salad Dressing

• Flavorful – one thing kale lacks is flavor, so the vibrant, tangy, and sweet elements of this dressing can bring it to a whole other level of deliciousness.
• Quick and easy –  you can make it in minutes.
• Simple ingredients –  this dressing is made from pantry ingredients that you likely always have on hand or can get at any grocery store. 
• Fresh and light – Creamy, fresh, light, and holds up well on any crunchy greens. 
• Versatile – this salad dressing recipe, as written is vegan and gluten-free.

Ingredients

• Extra-virgin olive oil – a healthy fat that helps emulsify the dressing and make it smooth and creamy.
• Apple cider vinegar – provides a nice tangy flavor. You can also use red wine vinegar. 
• Maple syrup – adds a wonderful layer of sweetness and depth of flavor. 
• Dijon mustard – brings a bold and tangy flavor to the dressing. 
• Lemon – for that fresh, vibrant, bright element that pairs so nicely with the kale.
• Salt and pepper – used to enhance all the flavors.

How To Make Kale Salad Dressing

You can make this healthy salad dressing in minutes and keep it all week for quick and easy salads for lunch or dinner that your whole family will love. 

1. Mix up the dressing. Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk well. Or you can add all ingredients to a mason jar, secure the lid, and shake well to emulsify. Or blend it up in a small food processor. 
2. Store or serve. Once you mix up this salad dressing you can either store it or pour it onto your favorite kale salad right away.

You cannot go wrong with this amazing homemade healthy salad dressing. It is packed with flavor, is super easy to make, and stores great for easy salad assembly all week long.

Expert Tips For Making Homemade Salad Dressing

1. Use good quality ingredients. I like to use good quality extra-virgin olive oil as well as good vinegar like apple cider vinegar (with the mother – good bacteria, enzymes, and strands of proteins). Gluten-free Dijon mustard and fresh organic lemons all make this amazing kale salad dressing shine. 
2. Mix up the ingredients well. Mix up this dressing in a bowl with a whisk or in a mason jar fitted with a lid. A mason jar is a great option for taking this dressing on the go or storing it for later use. You could also blend it up in a small blender.
3. Use it within a few days. Although this dressing stores great, it is best to use any remaining dressing the next day or at least within 3 days of making it or it can get gloppy and clumpy. Store it in an airtight container (like a mason jar) and make sure to shake it up well before using it too.

Variations to this recipe

• Use orange juice in place of the lemon for an orangey twist on this kale salad dressing. I do not recommend using lime juice but go ahead and try it if that is what you have and see what you think! You may like it.
• Mix up the vinegar by adding a splash of balsamic vinegar. 
• Skip the Dijon mustard and add a little extra squeeze of lemon. 
• Add a little garlic for a more savory flavor to this dressing. 
• To make this dressing Whole30-friendly and paleo simply leave out the maple syrup and it will still be crazy good. If you need a little sweetness, you can blend it up in a blender with some chopped dates or use a little fruit juice (about 1 tablespoon) in place of the maple syrup.

How To Use This Kale Salad Dressing

• Wash and dry kale leaves thoroughly using a salad spinner or clean paper towel,  then remove the fibrous stems, chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces using a chef’s knife, and place kale into a medium-sized bowl. 
• Massage the kale leaves with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt for a few minutes to soften and tenderize them.
• Add other ingredients such as chopped vegetables (e.g. carrots, cucumber, peppers), fruits (e.g. apples, berries, oranges), nuts or seeds, and cheese or protein (e.g. chicken, salmon, tofu).
• Make this dressing.
• Drizzle the kale salad dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well-coated.
• Let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together, and enjoy!

More healthy salad dressings to try

• 5 Minute Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing
• Healthy Caesar salad Dressing
• Simple Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing
• Creamy Green Goddess Dressing
• Robust Italian Dressing
• Homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette

Try all of my easy salad dressings and sauces on PMG!

Did you try this recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear from you!

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