Best 5 Lemony Kale Salad Recipes

EASY KALE SALAD WITH FRESH LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• First make your dressing by combining ingredients above in a lidded mason jar then shake well to emulsify. Dip a kale leaf in the dressing and adjust sweetener, salt, and pepper to taste. You can make this dressing as sweet or tart as your heart desires!
• Next massage your chopped kale with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt. Rub with your fingers until leaves begin to darken and tenderize. This makes it taste great and gives the kale a silky texture!
• In a large bowl, combine massaged kale, broccoli, almonds, cheese, carrots, onion, sunflower seeds, cranberries. Shake your dressing once more and pour about ⅓ of the dressing over the salad. Toss to coat and add extra dressing, to taste.

LEMON PARMESAN KALE SALAD

Steps:

• If starting with a bunch of curly kale, wash, dry, and remove leaves from stem.
• Finely chop kale leaves and add to a medium-large bowl.
• Whisk together dressing ingredients and drizzle a teeny bit (around 1/2 tsp) onto the kale leaves.
• Massage dressing into kale leaves until the leaves darken in color and become tender and silky.
• Toss with remaining dressing and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
• P&C Tip: for a little bit of parm in every bite, I like to finely grate the parmesan cheese with a box grater and then roughly chop into smaller bits. Almost like sprinkles but of the cheesy variety, lol!
• Place croutons in a plastic bag or between two paper towels. Use the bottle of olive oil to crush into small panko-sized pieces to sprinkle over the kale salad. The result is a delightfully cripsy topping that is dusted over ever bite of lemon and parmesan kissed kale. Love it so! Enjoy right away while topping is still perfectly cripsy.

LEMONY KALE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil until well combined. Add kale and toss to coat. Add Parmesan and hazelnuts; season with salt and pepper. Toss before serving.

GARLICKY, LEMONY KALE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until translucent and soft. Add the kale and stir to coat with garlic and oil. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the lemon halves cut-side down in the pan and cook without moving until grill marks are visible, about 2 minutes.
• Toast the almonds in a small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and slightly golden brown, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the kale to a serving bowl and squeeze a charred lemon half over the top. Sprinkle with the toasted almonds and pecorino shavings. Serve with the other lemon half on the side. Enjoy!

KALE SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Toast pine nuts: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Scatter the pine nuts on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven, shaking or rotating the pan halfway through, until fragrant and golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove the pine nuts from the oven and cool to room temperature.
• Marinate anchovies: Drain and discard the brine the anchovies are packed in. In a small, flat dish, arrange ½ of the anchovy fillets in a single layer, skin side down. Use a traditional citrus zester to zest ½ of the lemon on top; then sprinkle with ½ the olive oil, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Repeat layering once more, finishing with the olive oil. Let the anchovies sit in the marinade at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. (Keeps in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 months.)
• Vinaigrette: Trim the root end from the shallots, then discard skin. Finely mince, then place in a medium bowl. Grate garlic cloves on a Microplane and add to the shallots, along with a large pinch of red pepper flakes. Add lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper (about 12 grinds of a pepper mill), and a pinch of salt. Whisk to combine, then set aside to macerate, 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, use a Microplane to grate lemon zest; add to the bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Finally, grate the ricotta salata into the bowl and whisk to combine one last time.
• Dress the salad: Place kale in a large mixing bowl and toss with a pinch of salt. Add several spoonfuls of dressing and gently massage it into the kale, making sure to coat the leaves thoroughly. Add more dressing as needed. (It's always a good idea to start with less dressing and add more as you go.) Layer the salad to assemble: Place a third of the kale on the bottom of a large serving bowl. Drape a few anchovies onto the kale and sprinkle with pine nuts. Finish by grating a thin layer of ricotta salata on top. Repeat this layering process two more times, then serve.