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Delicious Lemon Kale Salad

Even if you aren’t a kale lover, you have got to try this simple lemon kale salad recipe. Some links in this post are affiliate links that earn me a commission if you purchase through them.

Kale salad ingredients

This post was originally published October 1, 2013.

I’ve fallen in love with kale. It’s such a nutritious green, but many people aren’t fans because it tends to be bitter and a little tough. Did you know there are secrets to making kale better?

The obvious choice is baked kale chips, which I adore. When you’re looking for a quick and fast salad that is pretty unique and incredibly tasty, a kale salad is perfect.

When you add lemon juice and also squish it with your hands, you help soften both the texture and the flavor, as the kale starts to break down just a tiny bit. It’s just enough to make it perfect to bite raw.

I had a salad somewhat similar to this at a tailgate recently but didn’t get the recipe. When I got home, I was determined to try to replicate it as best I could, remembering all the flavors I tasted with it.

Bowl of lemon kale salad

I’ve been making it just like this, which means that it has no added protein other than the parm. It works great as a side, but this is not a main dish salad.

You could definitely add some avocado to it or hard boiled egg to get more oomph to it and make it into a meal, but I sort of like it just the way it is!

All hail kale.

How to Make Lemon Kale Salad

Are you a visual learner? Watch the video tutorial to really get how to make this kale salad.

Wash your kale, parsley, and green onion. Slice your kale into 1/2 inch ribbons or rip into bite size pieces (see my tutorial on cutting greens and herbs for how).

Place the kale into a bowl. Note that it may fill your smallish bowl completely.

Kale in a bowl ready to dress for kale salad

Add the lemon juice and olive oil. Get your (clean) hands in there, and knead the kale.

Gather it in your hands and squeeze, rubbing the leaves together. Do this for about thirty seconds or so. You’ll notice that the kale starts to feel a little softer in your hands, and it’s become a brighter shade of green.

Massage the kale with your hands to get it to soften

It’s also shrunk significantly in volume.

After massaging, the kale takes up much less room in the bowl

Chop the parsley, and add it and your sliced green onion. Add the Parmesan and some pepper, then stir with a fork.

Add parmesean cheese

Taste test to see if you need to adjust any flavors. Serve immediately, or you can refrigerate this overnight and serve.

Perfect parmasean kale salad

I wouldn’t recommend any longer than that, as the acid in the lemon juice will continue to break down the kale leaves, and you don’t want soggy slimy salad.

Note: You can easily scale this recipe up to serve more. This is a perfect amount for a side salad for two as is.

Have you ever tried a kale salad you love?

Looking for more delicious salad recipes to try? These are some of my favorites:

Bite of kale salad

Kale Salad

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes

This delicious raw kale salad is full of flavor with a tangy lemon and bite of cheese. It's simple to make and a perfect complement to any meal!

Ingredients

  • 3-4 large leaves kale, stems removed
  • 1/4 c parsley, chopped
  • 1 green onion, sliced
  • 1 1/2 T lemon juice
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1/4 c fresh grated Parmesan
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash kale, parsley, and green onion. Slice kale into 1/2 inch ribbons or rip into bite size pieces. Chop parsley.
  2. Add kale, parsley, and green onion to bowl.
  3. Add lemon juice and olive oil. Knead the kale for at least 30 seconds.
  4. Add Parmesan and pepper, then stir. Taste and adjust any flavors if needed.
  5. Serve immediately, or refrigerate this overnight and serve.

Notes

You can easily scale this recipe up to serve more. This is a perfect amount for a side salad for two as is.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 187Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 419mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 9g

This site uses an outside source to provide nutrition. If you need exact details, please calculate yourself.

Did you make this recipe?

Please rate the recipe above and save it on Pinterest so you can find it to make again and again. Leave me a comment to let me know what you think about it, too!

Lemon kale salad recipe

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