I have a love/hate relationship with kale salads. Typically when I get them at restaurants (most notably All Hail Kale (with tempeh!) at Veggie Grill) I love them. I could eat them for days. Then when I go home and try to create an equally delicious kale salad at home, it never stacks up.
Yes, I realize my problems could be worse.
But I want to make a healthy kale salad at home. One that is both delicious, satisfying and not boring. And not too much work.
This is it. Thinly sliced kale is massaged with olive oil, raw apple cider vinegar and salt and tossed with shredded cabbage and carrots, toasted sunflower seeds, dried cranberries and feta cheese. It has all of the textures and flavors that make restaurant salads so good and you can easily make it a main meal by adding some chicken, tempeh, diced avocado, etc. Truly a superfood salad!
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Simple Kale Salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Keywords: raw salad gluten-free high fiber low-carb kosher nut-free soy-free sugar-free vegetarian kale
Ingredients (2 main salads)
- 8 cups thinly sliced kale (any variety or mix)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- sprinkle of salt
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 3 carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil, vinegar and salt over kale.
Lightly massage. Set aside for 20 minutes to a day or two.
Toss with cabbage and carrots.
Top with remaining ingredients and serve.
Side note: I showed Richie how to “massage kale” last night and he was not impressed. 🙂
Alyssa
I’m learning to love kale salads made at home (like you, I usually only have them out to dinner!). The trick for me is a LOT of massaging (sounds weird…). I hate when it’s too tough to chew!
Mellissa
Scott and I had the same conversation about massaging kale. He was not impressed and pretty much laughed and left the kitchen.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
hey, i posted a similar kale salad on monday! i love your use of sunflower seeds. will have to try that 🙂
Emily
You know what they say….great minds….? 😉
Maria Tadic
It’s crazy you posted this today – I made a very similar kale salad last night! So filling and delicious! The best part is that b/c kale is so hearty you can bring leftovers for lunch the next day! No soggy leaves! Love that you added the purple cabbage- such a pretty color!
Luv What You Do
I am not great about making kale salads but love when others do! This looks like a fantastic recipe!
Megan (The Lyons' Share)
This looks fresh and delicious! I love kale salads, and agree that they generally taste better in restaurants, but I’ve made a few that have pleasantly surprised me, so I hope to give yours a try soon!
Mercedes
You are the reason I love kale, but I have yet to have a kale salad! This one looks beautiful and delicious!
Karla @ Foodologie
I’m in love. I’m on a total kale salad kick right now. I’m having it for lunch!
Lori
I’m all about massaging kale. It’s so much better fresh when the bitterness is tamed a bit. And no salad is complete for me without dried cranberries. Love the simplicity of this.