Kale Salad with Roasted Pistachios and Parmesan

User Reviews

5

26 reviews
Excellent

Kale Salad with Roasted Pistachios and Parmesan

Kale Salad with Roasted Pistachios and Parmesan features tenderized kale massaged with a lemony dressing of olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, thyme, honey, salt, and Aleppo pepper. Topped with toasted salted pistachios and additional Parmesan, this salad balances earthy kale with bright citrus notes and nutty, savory toppings, making it a textured and flavorful green salad.

Description

This salad starts by removing kale leaves from the stems and chopping them, then massaging the leaves under cold water to soften and tenderize them. A dressing of lemon juice and zest, extra virgin olive oil, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, smashed garlic cloves, dried thyme, honey, kosher salt, and Aleppo pepper is whisked together to coat the kale. Golden raisins can be added for sweetness.

The combination brings out kale's natural bitterness and toughness with bright citrus acidity, umami-rich Parmesan, earthy thyme, and a touch of sweetness from honey and optionally raisins. Roasted and salted pistachios add crunch and a roasted nutty flavor as a finishing touch, enhancing the texture and flavor contrast.

This kale salad works well as a side dish or light meal component, pairing well with various proteins or as part of a Mediterranean-inspired meal. Additional Parmesan sprinkled on top emphasizes the cheese's saltiness and depth, while the lemony dressing makes the kale more approachable.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 1/2 kale any kind, bunches
  • 1 lemon juiced and zested
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese plus more to finish, freshly grated
  • 2 garlic smashed cloves
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
  • 1/3 cup golden raisins (optional)
  • 1/2 cup pistachios roughly chopped, roasted and salted

Instructions

  1. Strip the kale leaves from the stems and roughly chop the leaves. Place the chopped leaves in a colander. While rinsing under cold water, aggressively massage the leaves. Do this for about a minute, this tenderizes the kale. Shake the colander to release excess water.
  2. Into a large salad bowl, whisk together lemon juice and zest, olive oil, parmesan, garlic, thyme, honey, salt, and Aleppo pepper. Add the kale and raisins (if using) toss until well coated. Top with pistachios and more cheese to finish if you wish.

Notes

  • Massaging kale while rinsing tenderizes its tough leaves for a more pleasing texture in the salad.
  • Golden raisins are optional but provide a sweet contrast to the savory and tart elements.
  • Roasted salted pistachios add crunch and a rich nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
  • The salad dressing combines tangy lemon, garlic, thyme, honey, and Aleppo pepper for balanced seasoning.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 193.7kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 3.8g (1%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 19.7g (30%) Saturated Fat 3.4g (17%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 13.5g (68%) Cholesterol 4.8mg (2%) Sodium 293.4mg (12%) Potassium 49.5mg (1%) Fiber 0.6g (2%) Sugar 1.4g (3%) Vitamin A 326.8IU (7%) Vitamin C 12.4mg (14%) Calcium 63mg (6%) Iron 0.3mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1937 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 193.7kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 3.8g 1%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 19.7g 30%
Saturated Fat 3.4g 17%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 13.5g 68%
Cholesterol 4.8mg 2%
Sodium 293.4mg 12%
Potassium 49.5mg 1%
Fiber 0.6g 2%
Sugar 1.4g 3%
Vitamin A 326.8IU 7%
Vitamin C 12.4mg 14%
Calcium 63mg 6%
Iron 0.3mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5

26 reviews
Excellent

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