4.5 from 1,065 votes
Simple Kale Salad
This is the BEST kale salad recipe! It is made with fresh, hearty kale, Parmesan cheese, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and a fresh lemon balsamic dressing. Enjoy for lunch or serve along side any meal.
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 204 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 2 bunches kale, washed (I prefer Lacinato kale)
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds, can use pine nuts or pepitas
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, can use golden raisins or dried currants
Instructions
- To make the dressing, in a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- First, remove the kale stems. Squeeze the top of the kale stem and slowly move your hand down the kale stem. The leafy part of the kale will come right off as you go down. Use a sharp knife to finely chop the kale.
- Place the kale in a large bowl. Drizzle the kale with just a little bit of olive oil, you don't need a ton because you are adding a dressing. Sprinkle with a little kosher salt and massage with your clean fingers until the kale softens a bit.
- Drizzle the dressing over the kale and toss well. Add the Parmesan cheese, nuts, and dried fruit. Toss again and serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
204kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
141mg
(6%)
Potassium
133mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
432IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
142mg
(14%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 204
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 204kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 141mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 133mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 432IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 142mg | 14% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.