Skip to main content

Kale Salad

A simple sweet and savory salad that is a great make-ahead meal.
Wooden bowl holding a large Kale Salad.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 1 hour
Makes: 10 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

8 cups chopped kale (about 1 large bunch)
1 can (15 ounces) fruit in 100% juice, drained and juice reserved (any type)
½ cup 100% fruit juice, reserved from canned fruit
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper
¼ cup unsalted sunflower seed kernels (optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.

  3. Place kale in a large bowl. Chop fruit if pieces are large and add to the kale.
  4. In a small bowl, combine fruit juice, oil, salt, pepper and sunflower seed kernels, if desired. Mix well.
  5. Add dressing to the kale and fruit and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • To soften the kale and improve the flavor, rub the torn leaves together until the kale becomes dark green and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes, OR prepare the salad a day ahead and refrigerate.

Comments

Great way to use kale fresh from the garden and love the note about softening it!  Today I was able to taste this salad along with tons of elementary students at a school lunch tasting table.  Yummy and it looked great too!

The mandarin oranges I had in my pantry were packed in light syrup. I drained the oranges and discarded the syrup. To make the dressing, I used 100% OJ from concentrate instead.  The grocery store where I usually shop does not carry a full line of canned fruit in 100% juice, so using the breakfast juice is a good option.  I also felt the dressing needed a little tartness, so I added a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.

I love making kale salads. This is a great base recipe. I would also suggest a variety of vegetables that go great with this salad like roasted butternut squash, or sweet potatoes, avocado, dried fruit, and other types of seeds and nuts. The honey mustard dressing is great on kale salad too. The sweetness of the honey helps "mask" the bitterness of the kale leaves. I also love this recipe because you can make ahead and serve all week for dinner or lunches. The leaves don't get wilted even when you add the dressing. 

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Hummus (with tahini)
Hummus garnished with parsley served with carrot sticks, celery and radishes.

Hummus (with tahini)

Homemade hummus dip blends garbanzo beans with lemon, garlic and tahini. Perfect for dipping veggies or pita!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 Cup
Banana Bobs
A fork is used to dip chunks of banana into yogurt and then into granola for a simple snack.

Banana Bobs

Easy snack or dessert with creamy yogurt, banana and whole-grain oats. A fun and creative recipe for kids!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 Servings
Summer Vegetable and Pasta Salad
Big bowl of spiral pasta with vegetables.

Summer Vegetable and Pasta Salad

Crisp vegetables, hearty whole-wheat pasta and Italian dressing make the perfect summer pasta salad.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Chunky Black Bean Dip
Ceramic bowl with bean dip served next to vegetable slices.

Chunky Black Bean Dip

Great appetizer or snack idea ready in as little as 10 minutes!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Tofu Scramble
Bowls of tofu and spinach with melted cheese.

Tofu Scramble

Serve this easy tofu scramble with fruit and whole-grain toast for a satisfying and balanced meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
5 Cups
Lentil Soup with Lime Juice
Lentil, carrot and bell pepper soup served with lime and a slice of bread.

Lentil Soup with Lime Juice

Filling and tasty lentil soup with spicy green chiles, fresh veggies and a pop of lime!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
60 minutes
Makes:
9 cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.