When people ask me what I do for a living, sometimes I’ll say: oh, you know, just saving the world, one kale salad recipe at a time.
I’m only half kidding. Kale has become such a trendy vegetable. It’s one of those things I know will almost always be chosen off my catering menus. And like these guys, a good kale salad seems to be a health food that most people don’t have trouble embracing, dudes and dudettes alike.
This salad is one of the things that I make most for myself. Usually it will accompany something a lot less mature, like spaghetti with non-homemade tomato sauce. But I like making a huge batch at the beginning of the week and slowly chipping away at it, adding in extra ingredients like avocado and some kind of nut for crunch.
If you follow me on instagram, you may have noticed that I love my kale salads so much, I often can’t wait until 11am to have one. When I got back from Spain, I got back on my kale avocado salad for breakfast routine.
If you’re feeling run down and in need of some extra medicinal goodness from the garden, or just want to have something delicious marinating away in your fridge, grab a couple kale leaves and start stripping them. (For how to do that, check out this segment I shot for Better TV earlier this year.) This is my favorite combination as of recently. The creamy avocado and sweet cranberries are a great compliment to the woody, lemony kale.
I’m finally crossing off Blogshop from my bucket list this week and can’t wait to have new and improved visuals for you as a result!
Eat up!
Xo
Phoebe
Kale Salad with Avocado, Cranberries, and Pepitas
Ingredients
Instructions
- Remove the ribs from the kale by tearing away an inch or so from each side of the bottom of the stalk to form flaps. Then grab the bottom of the stalk and pull up. The whole leaf should come off.
- Stack the leaves in a pile and roll up like a cigar. Thinly slice the kale. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the garlic, salt, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix together with your hands until each leaf of kale is very well coated in the lemon mixture. Set aside for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very wilted.
- Stir in half the avocado, peptias and cranberries. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as necessary.
- Transfer the salad to a platter and garnish with the remaining avocado, pepitas and cranberries.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
What a beautiful salad!! Loving the colors.
Phoebe Lapine says
Thanks Liz!
Frankie says
I was getting sick of kale until I saw this recipe. But then I love anything with avocados. Thanks, Phoebe!
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
Love this, especially those pepitas!
Phoebe Lapine says
I’m such a pepitas addict!
Victoria Shanta Retelny says
I, too, love kale – particularly baby kale. The tender, tiny leaves are so versatile and delicious! Thank you for spreading the word about kale and well as plant-based eating. As a nutritionist, I believe in teaching people how to “evolve their eating” with more color, flavors (from herbs and spices), as well as texture and crunch to the plate. It’s about real food coming to your rescue!
Thank you!
Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, LDN
Chicago, IL
Phoebe Lapine says
I’m totally right there with you in terms of seeking out foods with color. My acupuncturist was the first person to explain to me that the more vibrant the color, the more anti-inflammatory efficacy a food has. I love thinking about my meals in terms of vibrancy now. Thanks for stopping by, and looking forward to being in touch on the web! xo
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
We have a bunch of kale ready to harvest in our garden so I’m always looking for new kale salad recipes, thanks Phoebe!
Phoebe Lapine says
lucky you!! i wish i had a kale crop in my kitchen. it’s be such a brilliant addition to my pantry.
Carin says
How long will kale salad keep? Can I make a giant basic salad at the beginning of the week and use it several times? Dressed or undressed? This looks sooooo good! Thanks!
Phoebe Lapine says
Yes – that’s the idea! I usually make one for the week. It will last 3 or 4 days, but I usually eat it all by then 🙂 Leave the mix-ins out. The avocado will go brown and the nuts will get soggy. Let me know how it goes! xo
Denise says
Great little salad. We are huge kale fans, but tend to only eat it in the winter. Adding this to our must make kale list. Love the addition of cranberries and pepitas alongside creamy avocado.
Phoebe Lapine says
Thanks Denise! I am totally a year round kale person. You’re lucky that avocados are pretty much year round too out where you are! xo
Debbie says
I love kale salads! Thanks for posting this. I have made something similar with a fruity dressing made with POM-blueberry juice and a bit of honey. Than added avocado, craisins and pepitas like you, plus blueberries, shelled edamame, cherry tomatoes, red onion and walnuts. I love the chewy kale and you can add in just about anything.
Phoebe Lapine says
Yum! Love the idea of edamame with the kale. Thanks, Debbie!