This is the BEST kale salad, with a lemony dressing, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and tangy capers. It’s the simplest of side salads that goes with just about any entree and can be customized any which way you like.
This Kale Salad Might Be Super Simple, But It’s Not at All Short on Flavor
When compared to the bounty of loaded kale salads here on the site, some could classify this one as a simple side salad (which it is) but when tossed with more veggies or a little extra protein (think crispy chickpeas or grilled Greek chicken breast) it’s also the beginnings of a fully fulfilling and satisfying main-meal lunch or dinner.
Brightly dressed with extra virgin olive oil and lots of fresh, tangy lemon juice, this kale salad is massaged into tender tendrils of dark leafy greens. It’s punctuated with the salty notes of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and capers balanced with the earthy crunch of toasted pine nuts.
Even in its simplicity, this is not your average kale salad.
Enjoy!
Heidi’s Tips for Recipe Success
When eating raw in salads, I like lacinato kale, also known as Tuscan kale or dinosaur kale. Lacinato kale leaves are less bitter and more mild-tasting than other types, like curly kale, making it an excellent candidate for enjoying raw.
Slice the kale into thin strips. Eating a forkful of raw, fibrous, leafy kale is a far different experience than eating tender spring lettuces. There’s a reason this stuff grows heartily in the cold. That’s why fresh kale tastes best sliced into thin strips when eaten raw.
Get in there and massage those kale leaves to make them less bitter. Hearty to the core, raw kale tastes best when massaged into submission.
What’s in This Recipe?
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
- Lacinato kale — Also known as Tuscan or dinosaur kale.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice — You’ll need a full ¼ cup to season and tenderize the earthy kale leaves.
- Extra virgin olive oil — Tastes a little fruitier than regular olive oil and is my go-to oil for salad dressings.
- Champagne or white wine vinegar — Both are have an incredibly delicate flavor that complements the lemon juice without overpowering it.
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese — Skip the powdered stuff in a shaker can and grate a block of Parm yourself for the best texture and flavor.
- Toasted pine nuts — I toast mine in a dry pan over medium-low heat just until fragrant.
- Capers — Add little salty, tangy bites (if not a fan, you can leave them out).
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper — Yes, even leafy green salads need to be seasoned to taste good!
How to Make the Best Kale Salad Ever
- First, trim out the rib and stem from the kale leaves. Kale stems are extra fibrous and tough and not so tasty when eaten raw. Slide a sharp knife down the spine of the leaves, cut out the stem, and discard. Then, slice thinly into slivers.
- Massage with lemon juice to tenderize. Drizzle the leaves with half of the lemony dressing and work your fingers into the leaves until they become soft, tender, and glossy.
- Add the Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, capers—and more dressing! This salad’s hearty leaves can handle plenty of dressing and even benefits from it, so don’t be fearful of using too much. Toss everything together and add more dressing to taste.
- Let the salad rest before serving. Once the salad has been dressed, let it stand for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. It can be refrigerated and eaten as leftovers for 1-2 days and still taste pretty dang good.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Use balsamic vinegar in the dressing instead of the champagne or white wine vinegar
- Use my Dijon vinaigrette dressing with 1-2 tablespoons additional lemon juice, or my Italian dressing or Green Goddess dressing (Caesar dressing would also work great here)
- Add dried fruit like cranberries or currants, or toss in fresh blueberries, apple, or pomegranate arils
- Try other types of toasted nuts like almonds, pistachios, or candied pecans
- Substitute the Parmesan cheese with blue cheese crumbles, gorgonzola, or goat cheese
- Add baked chicken breast, grilled shrimp, cannellini beans or roasted chickpeas
- Add cooked quinoa for plant-based protein
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
THE BEST Kale Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 ounces lacinato or dinosaur kale , to make about 8 cups chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
- ¼ cup capers , drained
Dressing
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the kale leaves and pat dry. Trim the stalky veins from the leaves and discard. Cut the leaves into very thin slices and place in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl or glass jar fitted with a lid, combine the lemon juice with the olive oil, vinegar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle the chopped kale with 2 tablespoons of the dressing, then use your fingers to massage the kale leaves for a few minutes until it becomes glossy and reduces in volume.
- Toss with more dressing to taste then add the Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and capers. Toss to combine and season with more dressing if desired and salt and pepper.
- Let stand 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
Nutrition
What to Serve With This Kale Side Salad
More Kale Salad Ideas
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