Description

This Easy Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing is a vibrant and healthy salad featuring hearty kale leaves tossed in a bright and tangy lemon dressing. Enhanced with crunchy chopped almonds, juicy cherry tomatoes, and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, this plant-based dish is quick to prepare and perfect for meals or as a refreshing side.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

4 cups fresh kale leaves, firm and dark green, stems removed and torn into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (natural), chopped
1/4 cup chopped almonds (lightly toasted)

For the Lemon Dressing

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup (natural)
1 clove garlic, minced (natural flavoring)
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Kale: Wash the kale thoroughly to remove any grit. Cut along the leaves to remove tough stems and chop or tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Massage the kale gently with your hands for two to three minutes until the leaves soften and become silkier.
Make the Lemon Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup (natural), minced garlic (natural flavoring), salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing emulsifies into a creamy, tangy consistency.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the massaged kale, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped sun-dried tomatoes (natural), and toasted chopped almonds. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Let It Rest: Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and soften the greens further before serving.

Notes

Massage the kale to soften its texture and enhance flavor absorption.
Use fresh lemon juice for a brighter and more complex taste compared to bottled juice.
Adjust the sweetness by tasting and modifying the amount of maple syrup (natural) in the dressing.
Chop ingredients evenly to ensure balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
Lightly toast almonds to intensify their crunch and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 220
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: kale salad, lemon dressing, healthy salad, plant-based, easy salad, nutritious greens