This massaged kale salad is seriously the best kale salad ever! It is naturally paleo, vegan and whole30 friendly. The pomegranate and pistachios add the perfect mix between sweet and salty while giving this salad a crunch! If you typically don’t like kale, this salad is for you. The lemon tahini dressing adds the perfect kick to the salad as well as it helps break down the kale so it is not so tough.
What makes this kale salad so good?
- I came up with this recipe when I really wanted to start adding kale into my diet but did not like how tough it was. I found out that the key to a wonderful kale salad is adding a dressing that helps break it down! The apple cider vinegar and lemon in the dressing helps break down the kale so it isn’t as tough.
Paleo kale salad ingredients:
- Tahini-My favorite brand of tahini is from Trader Joe’s! It is always so soft and creamy. I have found that some brands are more dry which makes it hard to make dressing with.
- Lemon juice & apple cider vinegar-This helps break down the kale to make it easier to digest. It is also a nice kick.
- Cumin-For flavor.
- Coconut aminos-My go to gluten free soy free soy sauce alternative.
- Olive oil-To help thin out the dressing.
- Water-To help the dressing not be so thick.
- Garlic-To taste.
- Kale-I like to buy mine already chopped. I suggest removing stems if they are not already removed,
- Pomegranate-Adds a nice crunch!
- Carrots-I like the shredded ones.
- Pistachios-Adds more texture and some good fat.
What is so good about massaged kale?
- First off, it helps break down the kale so it is easier to digest!
Chefs tips:
- Make sure you are using a fresh jar of tahini, you can tell by seeing how much oil is sitting on top. If you use an old jar it will make the dressing too thick.
- Make sure you mix the dressing with the salad right away! The longer the dressing sits on the salad before serving the easier it will be for the kale to get digested. It won’t be as rough.
- When mixing the salad, use your hands! The dressing is thick! It is near impossible to mix the dressing thoroughly with tongs.
- Do not skip out on the apple cider vinegar and lemon in the dressing! This is what helps break down the kale to make it easier to digest.
- Do yourself a favor and buy pomegranate that is already cut! Cutting a pomegranate and pulling out the seeds takes FOREVER.
- Coconut aminos are used in the dressing to replace soy sauce! Coconut aminos are made from a coconut and contain far less sodium.
- My favorite brand of tahini is Trader Joe’s brand. I have never had an issue with the tahini being too dried, you want to make sure your jar of tahini is fresh or the dressing will come out way too thick.
- The cumin in the dressing adds the perfect kick!
- If the kale is still too tough for you slowly add a teaspoon more of apple cider vinegar at a time to get a better consistency for you. This will help break down the kale.
If you like this salad, you will LOVE:
- Crunchy Chickpea Kale Salad
- Vegan Taco Bean Salad
- Air-Fried Green Beans
- Creamy Broccoli Slaw
- Vegan Greek salad
- Beanless Hummus
If you enjoyed this recipe it would mean the world to me if you rated it and left a comment below. It helps others find it on google.
The Best Kale Salad
Servings 5 people
550kcal
Cost $7
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Equipment
- Lemon juicer
- Food processor
- Garlic mincer
Ingredients
For the salad
- 10 cup chopped kale This is usually the equivalent to one large bag.
- 1 cup shredded carrots You can buy the carrots already shredded next to the regular carrots.
- 1/2 cup pistachios Save yourself time and buy the ones without the shells!
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds Save yourself time and buy pomegranate where the seeds are already removed! Most grocery stores sell it this way.
Dressing
- 1 whole lemon, juiced If you roll the lemon before cutting into it, it will help release the juices!
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 10 ounces tahini Make sure the tahini is not dried out! I like Trader Joe's brand.
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
For the salad:
- Put all salad ingredients in a bowl and set aside to make the dressing. Once the dressing is made, add the dressing to the bowl and massage the salad with your hands until it is mixed throughout. Massage for 1-2 minutes.
For the dressing:
- Place all dressing ingredients in a food processor and blend for 30 seconds. *Note this will come out thick If you enjoyed this recipe it would mean the world to me if you rated it and left a comment below. It helps others find it on google.
Notes
If you enjoyed this recipe it would mean the world to me if you rated it and left a comment below. It helps others find it on google.
Crunchy kale salad with the perfect mix of salty, sweet and savory!
Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Sodium: 295mg | Potassium: 1233mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 17758IU | Vitamin C: 169mg | Calcium: 313mg | Iron: 5mg
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Lori says
I love a good kale salad and this is delicious. Colorful, flavorful, and light. The Tahini dressing is so good and I love having it ready in the fridge for all my other salads too.
Allianna Moximchalk says
The tahini dressing is so delish – glad you enjoyed this too!