Summer Kale Salad (Print)
Hearty kale tossed with summer fruits, crisp vegetables, and a bright lemon-honey dressing.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables & Greens
01 - 1 large bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
04 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Fruits
05 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
06 - 1/2 cup blueberries
07 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
→ Cheese & Nuts
08 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
09 - 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon honey
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and massage the leaves for 1 to 2 minutes until they become tender and vibrant green.
02 - Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, strawberries, blueberries, and diced avocado to the bowl with the kale.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently using salad tongs until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and toasted sliced almonds over the top and serve immediately for the best texture.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The kale massage trick transforms tough leaves into something silky and addictive in under two minutes
- It hits every flavor note at once: sweet berries, sharp onion, creamy avocado, and a bright tangy dressing that pulls it all together
02 -
- Skip the kale massage and you will be chewing on leaves that feel like eating a decorative plant
- The dressing needs to go on right before serving because the salt in it will start breaking down the avocado and drawing water out of the berries within minutes
03 -
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet for two minutes right before assembling because that fresh toast aroma makes a bigger difference than you would expect
- Make the dressing in a mason jar so you can shake it, store leftovers, and never dirty a whisk