🥗 Kale Caesar Salad Recipe – A Healthy & Flavor-Packed Classic
Healthy Kale Caesar Salad Recipe – Crunchy, Creamy & Easy
Make the best kale Caesar salad with crisp kale, creamy homemade dressing, and crunchy croutons. A healthy twist on a classic that's perfect for lunch or dinner!
📌 Why You’ll Love This Kale Caesar Salad
This kale Caesar salad swaps out romaine for hearty kale and adds a rich, tangy Caesar dressing with fresh garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. It’s the perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and savory—and it holds up well for meal prep!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 large bunch of kale (Lacinato/Dinosaur or curly), stems removed & leaves chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for massaging the kale)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought croutons
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
For the Homemade Caesar Dressing:
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2 anchovy fillets (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Kale
- Wash and dry kale thoroughly. Remove thick stems and chop the leaves.
- Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and massage the kale with your hands for 1–2 minutes until tender and darker in color.
2. Make the Caesar Dressing
- In a small bowl or blender, combine garlic, anchovy, mustard, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and mayo or yogurt.
- Add Parmesan, then whisk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, toss massaged kale with Caesar dressing.
- Add grated Parmesan and croutons. Toss gently to combine.
- Top with extra black pepper and more Parmesan if desired.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a light main dish with grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
- Works well as a side for pasta, roasted meats, or soups.
- Great for meal prep—just keep croutons separate until serving.
🧠 FAQs
Why massage kale?
Massaging helps break down the fibrous texture, making it more tender and easier to digest.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes! Skip the Parmesan and anchovies. Use vegan mayo and add capers or miso for umami.
How long does it last in the fridge?
Up to 3 days if stored without croutons.
🔁 Variations
- Add roasted chickpeas instead of croutons for extra protein
- Use tahini instead of mayo for a dairy-free dressing
- Add cherry tomatoes or avocado slices for extra flavor and color
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