This massaged kale salad is tossed in a nut butter vinaigrette that gives it a creamy texture, a sweet and savory flavor, and turns the salad into the star of the meal. No one will be asking for store bought dressing again!
Alright so if you are thinking that you don’t like kale – it is time you get a little more personal with it! Give it a good massage and kale becomes a whole lot friendlier. It’s true! As I’ll explain more in the instructions below, a quick massage gives kale a softer texture and a milder taste.
This salad is a great side dish you can place alongside any main course, or just add your favorite protein and make it the meal! I’m thinking some teriyaki chicken or shrimp would be absolutely amazing with this.
And once you’ve tried this, if you want to try a different salad dressing check out my creamy horseradish sauce or my green goddess tahini sauce. Or if you’re looking for another refreshing side dish to go with your dinner, check out my honey lime summer salad.
How to Make This Salad
Let’s start with the kale—don’t skip the massage! Kale is a tough green, which can turn some people off. But massaging it completely transforms it, softening the leaves and making them more tender while reducing the bitterness. It only takes 30-60 seconds, and you can use a bit of olive oil or lemon juice. It’s definitely worth the effort! Whether you leave the stems in or remove them is up to you.
As for the vinaigrette, it’s super easy. Just combine all the ingredients and whisk until smooth! I recommend using coconut aminos, which are a cleaner alternative to soy sauce. Made from coconut blossom sap, they’re soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. If you’re okay with soy, tamari is a good gluten-free option, or you can stick with regular soy sauce if that’s what you prefer.
I topped this salad with some seeds and a few veggies and served it as a side dish, but you can easily add your favorite protein to turn it into a main course!
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Massaged Kale Salad w/ Nut Butter Dressing
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
Gluten Free Option, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free
This massaged kale salad is tossed in a nut butter vinaigrette that gives it a creamy texture, a sweet and savory flavor, and turns the salad into the star of the meal.
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 2 tablespoons water
Salad:
- 6–8 oz kale
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or olive oil)
- Topping ideas: cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, red onions
Instructions
- Add kale to a large mixing bowl – add lemon juice or olive oil – massage 30-60 seconds until soft.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients until combined.
- Pour dressing on kale and stir until evenly coated.
- Top with desired toppings any enjoy!
Notes
Gluten Free Option – use coconut aminos or tamari instead of soy sauce. Check out my Amazon shop to find my brand recommendations.
Add a protein to this salad and make it a main course!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 recipe
If you remake please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought! If you make on Instagram be sure to tag me at @donutworry_behealthy so I can see and send you some love!
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