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Southwest Kale Salad
5 from 12 votes

Southwest Kale Salad

Southwest Kale Salad combines tender massaged kale with black beans, sweet corn, shredded carrot, crunchy tortilla strips, and toasted pecans. A smoky BBQ ranch dressing ties the ingredients together, delivering a balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors. Optional additions like tomato, avocado, and pickled red onion add freshness and tang. This salad offers hearty textures and southwestern-inspired tastes.

Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 283 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

FOR THE SALAD:
  • ⅔ kale bunch
  • ½ tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup black beans
  • ½ cup sweet corn kernels
  • ¼ cup carrot shredded
  • 1/4-1/2 cup tortilla strips optional but delicious!, crispy
  • 1/4-1/2 cup pecans toasted or roasted halves and pieces
BBQ Ranch Dressing
  • combine equal parts of your favorite smoky sweet BBQ sauce with homemade or store bought ranch dressing + adjust to taste
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
  • tomato
  • avocado
  • red onion pickled

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Wash and remove the center stalk/rib from the kale leaves, tearing each leaf into bite-sized pieces as you go.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and massage to soften/tenderize the kale leaves. My toddler loves to do this step for me and I love the silky texture and taste of massaged kale.
  3. Top with veggies from list above and whisk together dressing. Drizzle over salad and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use canned, freshly cooked, or frozen black beans and corn as convenient salad ingredients.
  • Enhance protein content by adding shredded chicken, pan-fried tofu, or shrimp.
  • Estimate nutrition information before adding dressing; adjust seasoning accordingly.

Nutrition Information

Calories 283kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 32g (11%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 79mg (3%) Potassium 467mg (10%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 4670IU (93%) Vitamin C 25.8mg (29%) Calcium 80mg (8%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 283

% Daily Value*

Calories 283kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 79mg 3%
Potassium 467mg 10%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 4670IU 93%
Vitamin C 25.8mg 29%
Calcium 80mg 8%
Iron 2mg 11%

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