Description
A fresh and nutritious kale salad tossed with crunchy broccoli, almonds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and a tangy homemade lemon dressing that brightens every bite. This easy-to-make salad is perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish, featuring a silky tenderized kale base enhanced with a zesty, slightly sweet lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups chopped kale
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional) or shredded cheddar
- 1/4 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Lemon Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: Combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a lidded jar. Shake vigorously until well emulsified. Taste by dipping a kale leaf and adjust sweetness, salt, or pepper as desired.
- Massage the Kale: Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Add 1-2 teaspoons olive oil and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Using your fingers, massage the kale until it darkens and softens to a silky texture, about 2-3 minutes. This tenderizes the kale and makes it more palatable.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: To the massaged kale, add chopped broccoli florets, sliced almonds, crumbled feta or shredded cheddar (if using), shredded carrot, diced red onion, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Toss gently to mix ingredients evenly.
- Toss with Dressing: Shake the dressing jar again and pour approximately one-third over the salad. Toss the salad to coat all ingredients with the dressing. Add more dressing to taste, ensuring the salad is well flavored but not soggy.
Notes
- For a lemon poppyseed twist, add a teaspoon of poppy seeds to the dressing before shaking.
- The nutritional information excludes optional cheese and other add-ins.
- Adjust the honey or sugar in the dressing to achieve preferred sweetness.
- Massage the kale thoroughly to improve texture and flavor absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 334
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 315mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
