Kale salads are underrated. I mean, they have a lot going for them. They’re packed with far more vitamin A, K, and iron than their iceberg salad counterparts. And even better, they’re one of few salads that actually holds up well in the fridge! Enter the Everyday Kale Salad. The kind of salad you can throw together on a busy weeknight (and actually be excited about eating).
Kale Salad Ingredients
Kale: While we used curly kale for these kale salads, you can use any variety of kale, including dinosaur and red kale. Avocado: Ripe avocado makes this salad feel rich, creamy, and indulgent! Apple: Apple adds sweet crunch to contrast the flavorful kale. Parmesan: Shaved or grated parmesan adds a nice salty element. You could also use pecorino romano or grana padano. Croutons: Homemade croutons take this salad to the next level! Use any bread you have on hand. Hummus Dressing: A quick combination of hummus, lemon juice, garlic, and water. (Warning: you’ll be putting this dressing on everything after tasting!)
How to make a simple kale salad
This salad has four main steps, which all together take about 20 minutes!
Variations on this kale salad
This isn’t the only version of this easy kale salad that can be whipped up in a flash! Here are a few more ideas for how to change up your salad routine:
Mediterranean kale salad: Top salad with feta cheese, olives, red pepper, tomato, red onion, and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette. Bonus points for sprinkling on some oregano and couscous! Winter kale salad: Top salad with dried cranberries, slivered almonds, shredded carrots, and use hummus dressing from this recipe. Caesar kale salad: Top salad with parmesan, homemade croutons, and vegetarian Caesar dressing. Add chickpeas: Add roasted chickpeas for a pop of protein (like we do in this Chickpea Kale Salad)
How to store kale salad
Kale is one of the only leafy greens that stores surprisingly well after you mix it with the dressing! If you have leftovers, they can be kept for 2 to 3 days in the fridge (although the croutons will lose their crunch). To meal prep this kale salad, store the kale, toppings, and dressing separate until ready to eat for maximum crispiness.
