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)

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
Stovetop Sorghum
Big bowl of small sorghum pellets.

Stovetop Sorghum

This nutrient-rich grain has a sweet and nutty flavor.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Savory Yogurt Spread
Yogurt dip served in a veggie wrap and sliced vegetables.

Savory Yogurt Spread

A thick and creamy herbed yogurt spread that is great on wraps or for dipping veggies and pita.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
½ cup
Squash Blossom Quesadilla
Plate of corn tortillas folded over cheese and squash blossom filling with salsa.

Squash Blossom Quesadilla

Tortillas filled with tender sautéed squash blossoms and creamy cheese. Make them your own by adding salsa, peppers, cilantro or epazote.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 quesadillas
Chicken Creole
Tender chicken cooked in a tomato and spice-based sauce served over a bowl of pasta.

Chicken Creole

Quick and easy recipe that is full of flavor and ready in under an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Drinkable Yogurt
Sundae glass of yogurt and orange juice mix.

Drinkable Yogurt

A simple 2-ingredient snack made with yogurt and your favorite fruit juice.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 Cup