Description
Brighten your meals with this fresh and nutritious Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing. Crisp kale leaves tossed in a zesty lemon dressing make a refreshing and deeply satisfying dish perfect for lunch or as a side. Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and a delightful crunch, this versatile salad is easy to prepare and perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 4 cups fresh kale leaves, washed and chopped
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
Lemon Dressing
- 3 tablespoons natural lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced (natural)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Kale: Wash the kale leaves thoroughly to remove any grit. Remove the tough stems and finely chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Massage the kale gently with a pinch of salt for 2-3 minutes until it softens and darkens in color for extra tenderness.
- Make the Lemon Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together natural lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic (natural), maple syrup (natural), salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Combine and Toss: Pour the dressing over the massaged kale and toss thoroughly so every leaf is coated. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Crunch and Serve: Sprinkle sunflower seeds over the salad right before serving to maintain their crunch. Give everything one last gentle toss and enjoy!
Notes
- Massage the kale to break down its tough texture, making the salad easier to eat and digest.
- Use fresh natural lemon juice for the best bright acidity.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep the kale from becoming soggy.
- Customize nut or seed toppings to find your favorite crunch and flavor.
- Allow the dressed salad to rest to let the lemon dressing soften the kale and enhance the taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: kale salad, lemon dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, gluten free, easy recipe, nutritious salad