Usually, I wouldn’t say that I crave kale salads… however I may eat this one each week. It’s tossed with a Caesar-inspired tahini dressing (so it’s dairy-free) that tastes much more decadent than it truly is.
A easy mixture of lemon juice, contemporary garlic, creamy tahini, and pantry spices creates an irresistible taste in minutes. It comes collectively in a single bowl for straightforward clean-up, too!
Even if you happen to don’t suppose you like kale, I hope you’ll give this salad recipe a attempt. Prime it with roasted chickpeas for some crunch and add your favourite protein to show it into an entire meal. It’s straightforward to customise!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Assessment
“LOVED this and my husband beloved it too. I added the dressing to the salad perhaps 3 hours earlier than dinner and it was PERFECT as soon as we sat down for it. Thanks a lot!!” – Gina
Kale Caesar Salad Elements
- Tahini. As a substitute of utilizing mayo, eggs, or anchovies, this Caesar-inspired dressing will get its creaminess from tahini. You need to use uncooked tahini or a runny one, like Soom or Complete Meals 365 model. (Simply ensure you’re okay with the flavour earlier than transferring ahead. It will likely be bitter, however shouldn’t be drastically so.)
- Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice will create the perfect taste. The quantity under is simply a place to begin; be at liberty so as to add extra to style!
- Garlic. Finely minced garlic is the important thing to Caesar salad dressing. (Don’t use the jarred stuff!) In a pinch, you should use garlic powder as a swap.
- Mustard. A small squeeze of spicy brown mustard provides umami, contributing to the general Caesar taste. (Don’t use yellow mustard, however Dijon must also work.)
- Kale. I’ve made this salad with each curly and lacinato (Dino) kale, and both manner is scrumptious. Remember to take away the robust heart stems, as they aren’t nice to chew into. Word: Once you purchase bagged kale that’s pre-chopped, generally the stems are nonetheless hooked up, and the bites aren’t as nice… so simply hold that in thoughts when buying.)
The right way to Make Kale Salad with Tahini Caesar Dressing
Step 1:
Within the backside of a giant bowl, mix the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt, and black pepper. Add 3 tablespoons of water and whisk nicely till the combination appears to be like creamy. It would look separated at first, or it may even seize in texture. Simply hold stirring till it appears to be like creamy!
Add another tablespoon of water, if wanted, to skinny the consistency. (This can fluctuate based mostly on the tahini you begin with; some are thicker than others.)
Word: If you happen to don’t need to costume all of your kale directly, you possibly can retailer this dressing in an hermetic container within the fridge till you’re prepared to make use of it. I have a tendency to combine it within the bowl as a result of I like to chop down on the dishes I’ve to wash later!
Step 2:
Take away the robust stems from the kale leaves, then roughly chop the kale into bite-sized items. This fast step will make your salad extra nice to chew into.
Switch the kale to the bowl with the tahini dressing and use tongs to toss nicely, ensuring the leaves are evenly coated. Let the kale marinate within the dressing for no less than quarter-hour. This can soften the kale and make every chew extra flavorful.
Suggestions for Serving Kale Salad
As quickly because the kale salad has marinated within the dressing, it’s able to serve. Prime with crispy roasted chickpeas and baked hen breasts for an entire meal, if you happen to’d like.
- ¼ cup tahini
- 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon spicy brown mustard
- ¼ teaspoon every salt and floor black pepper
- 1 pound contemporary kale (about 6 cups)
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Within the backside of a giant bowl, mix the tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, mustard, salt, and black pepper. Stir nicely till the combination appears to be like creamy. Word: Utilizing a small whisk will assist the tahini dissolve sooner than stirring with a spatula. If the tahini thickens or seizes as you stir, simply be affected person. It would develop into creamy and clean. (You may add an additional splash of water if wanted.)
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To organize the kale, take away the robust stems from every leaf, then tear it into small items. (Or use a knife to cut the kale.) Toss the leaves with the dressing and allow them to marinate till you are able to serve. I like to recommend ready no less than 5 minutes, however you possibly can hold this tightly coated for a number of hours, and even in a single day, relying on how comfortable you like your kale. It does not get as soggy as different lettuces!
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This salad is able to serve everytime you’re able to eat. Add any further toppings you like, similar to baked hen or crispy roasted chickpeas.
Storage Tip: Leftovers will be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 48 hours.
Tahini Word: I’ve examined this recipe with Complete Meals 365 model and Soom tahini, that are each very runny, in addition to Artisana uncooked tahini, which is kind of thick. Both possibility works! Remember to taste-test the tahini earlier than utilizing it, as some varieties are extra bitter than others. (And also you don’t need to use an ingredient you don’t like.)
Garlic-Roasted Chickpeas (non-obligatory topping): Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a big bowl, mix a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon every of garlic powder and salt. Then pour them into a big rimmed baking sheet. Organize them in a single layer, then bake till crisp, about 30 to 40 minutes, shaking the pan midway by way of. When the chickpeas are achieved roasting, take away the pan from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle them generously over the kale salad and serve.
Replace Word: This recipe was up to date in 2026 to take away the roasted chickpea topping (which remains to be famous above). I not often take the additional 45 minutes to make them, however I make this 5-minute salad on a regular basis, so I wished to verify the salad and dressing have been the celebrities of the present.
Energy: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 12g | Fats: 19g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 9g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Sodium: 385mg | Potassium: 951mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 22679IU | Vitamin C: 218mg | Calcium: 626mg | Iron: 5mg
Extra Recipes to Strive
If you happen to do that kale salad recipe, please go away a remark and star ranking under to let me know the way you prefer it.
