Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (2024)

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This kale caesar salad is a great variation. This healthy salad is made with massaged kale, crunch croutons and a homemade creamy caesar dressing. Top with your favorite [dairy free] parmesan cheese.

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (1)

Why I love this kale caesar salad

I suppose I should just warn you now. I’m on a mission to create as many kale salad variations as possible. Right now, my goal is ten, but I’m sure the possibilities are endless.

So far we have the kale mango salad, this kale caesar salad, and I have a BLT one up my sleeve when I’m craving my BLT pasta salad without carbs. Why am I on such a kick, you ask?

Well, kale salads are amazing. They hold up really well. They won’t wiltovernight, which makes them perfect for lunches and make-ahead salads. Plus, kale has more vitamin C than an orange and more calcium than milk? So, now I’m on a mission to cut lettuce out of my life and replace it with kale.

More kale recipes:kale and shredded brussels sprouts salad/ turkey sausage and kale soup / strawberry caprese kale salad/ garden vegetable soup

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (2)

How to make a chicken caesar salad with kale

Cook the chicken.

Use a meat mallet to pound your chicken to an even thickness, and season it with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. I don’t usually measure, but you can if you want. The more seasoning, the more flavor you’ll have.

Heat a large skillet to medium-high and cook the chicken for about 5 – 6 minutes per side, or until the center has reached 165˚F. If you aren’t using a non-stick skillet, use a little cooking oil or spray to keep the chicken from sticking.

Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 – 10 minutes before slicing.

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (3)
How to massage kale

Once your kale is cleaned and chopped (or torn) into small pieces, add it to your salad bowl. Drizzle a tiny bit of oil and lemon juice (maybe 1 – 2 teaspoons each), and add a pinch of salt.

Use your hands to massage the kale until it has turned from a cloudy green to a dark, vibrant green. The texture of the kale should be softer to the touch and look slightly wilted.

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (4)
Add the dressing and mix the salad.

Since most caesar dressings out there have milk in them, I have just started making my own caesar vinaigrette, but there are several on the market that don’t include dairy.

Add the homemade croutons, cooled chicken and parmesan cheese. You can read all about our favorite dairy free cheese, but for this recipe I used this dairy free brand. If you’re making your salad in advance, I recommend adding the dressing and remaining ingredients just before serving.

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (5)

FAQs and tips for making kale caesar salad

What kind of kale goes on salad? I normally use regular, curly kale for my salads. It’s more on the bitter side and definitely needs to be massaged before eating it raw.

If you can find flat (lactino kale, aka dinosaur kale), you can definitely use that. It has a milder, nutty flavor and won’t need to be massaged, but I have trouble finding it, so I usually just go with the curly.

Does massaging kale make it less bitter?

Yes. Massaging curly kale breaks down its fibers and helps tone down the bitterness of the kale. The lemon juice and salt added when massaging it also helps with this.

How long will massaged kale keep?

I find that after massaging my kale, it will keep for about 5 days to a week. Storage time will vary based many factors, including ingredient freshness, so always use your best judgment before consuming.

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (6)
Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (7)

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Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (8)

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe with Chicken

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Kale Caesar Salad with Chicken | This easy massaged kale salad recipe makes the best caesar salad. It’s healthy and dairy free (paleo friendly). #dairyfree #caesarsalad

  • Author: Melissa Belanger
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 large bunch kale, stems removed and leaves roughly chopped
  • Pinch teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 cooked chicken breast, sliced
  • 1 large handfuls croutons
  • 1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup caesar vinaigrette

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine kale, olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Massage the kale until it begins to wilt and a darker color develops.
  2. Add the cooked chicken, parmesan cheese, croutons and caesar vinaigrette. Toss to combine.
  • Category: Salads
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 346
  • Sugar: 1.3 g
  • Sodium: 1192.2 mg
  • Fat: 22.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.8 g
  • Fiber: 1.1 g
  • Protein: 23.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 70.6 mg

Published: April 9, 2019. Updated: May 26, 2022.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.

Kale Caesar Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many calories in a kale Caesar salad? ›

Live Kale Caesar Salad With Dressing (1 package) contains 30g total carbs, 22g net carbs, 10g fat, 11g protein, and 490 calories.

Is Caesar salad healthier than regular salad? ›

When you're choosing your bowl of greens this summer, you should know that three types contain more calories, sodium and fat than you may want, one dietitian says. So, if you want to eat the healthiest salads possible, steer clear of taco salads, chef salads and Caesar salads.

What is an example sentence for Caesar salad? ›

She ordered a Caesar salad and a glass of water. I put a big bowl of Caesar salad on the table. Caesar salad is said to have been invented by Caesar Cardini at his restaurant in Tijuana. I started off with a Cesar salad, which was good.

Is a Caesar salad healthy for weight loss? ›

Traditional Caesar salad, which typically includes Romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing, can be high in calories and fat, particularly due to the dressing and croutons.

What makes Caesar salad high in calories? ›

Traditional Caesar salads can be high in saturated fat, thanks to the dressing and cheese. Salads that use “light” dressing are lower comparatively, but can still be high in sodium. Light Caesar dressings contribute fewer calories, so they can be good alternatives to full-fat versions.

How many calories should I eat to lose weight? ›

In order to lose at least a pound a week, try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, and reduce your daily calorie intake by at least 500 calories. However, calorie intake should not fall below 1,200 a day in women or 1,500 a day in men, except under the supervision of a health professional.

Is a Big Mac healthier than a Caesar salad? ›

The most talked about food trends, like açaí bowls, ramen, and even kale Caesar salads, all contain more calories than a Big Mac. Even old health-food staples like a Cobb salad or a mozzarella, tomato, and basil sandwich are shockingly caloric.

How do you make kale taste better? ›

“Minced garlic, olive oil, and salt are also simple ingredients that can transform the flavor of a bitter kale dish. ' “Cutting the stem of kale and marinating it with olive oil and salt can help reduce bitterness.”

Can you overcook kale? ›

Additionally, overcooking kale can cause it to become mushy and lose its texture, making it less enjoyable to eat. Another reason why kale can taste bad when cooked is that it contains sulfur compounds that are released when it is cooked.

Do you eat kale stems? ›

Cutting the stems crossways shortens the fibres, much as with a tough steak, making them perfectly edible and preventing waste. Cut this way, the stems can be cooked in the same way as the rest of the leaf: sauteed, boiled or steamed.

What is a fun fact about cesar salad? ›

Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here, on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad.

What is a Julius Caesar salad? ›

A Caesar salad (also spelled Cesar, César and Cesare) is a green salad of romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice (or lime juice), olive oil, eggs or egg yolks, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper.

How many calories in a full size Caesar salad? ›

A traditional Caesar salad has 470 calories, 40 grams of fat (9 grams of which are saturated) and 1070 milligrams of sodium. Even the “side salad” boasts 362 calories, 26 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat and 913 milligrams of sodium. You're almost better off with buttered popcorn and chocolate.

How many calories in a bowl of kale salad? ›

Serve in warmed bowls. Nutrition for 1 serving (2 cups): 236 calories, 4 grams total fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 2 grams monounsaturated fat, 6 milligrams cholesterol, 180 milligrams sodium, 38 grams total carbohydrates, 7 grams fiber, 12 grams total sugars, 0 grams added sugars, 12 grams protein.

How many calories in a kale Caesar salad from Sweetgreen? ›

Sweetgreen Signature Salads Kale Caesar (1 serving) contains 10g total carbs, 7g net carbs, 26g fat, 40g protein, and 405 calories.

What is the nutritional value of kale Caesar salad? ›

Nutrition Facts:-260 Calories,-11 g Fat,-02 g Saturated Fat,-34 g Carbohydrates,-11 g Protein,-8 g Fiber, ---------------------- 8 g Sugar,-980 mg Sodium. Check out our blog at www.cookingoncampus.arizona.edu to find past recipes and a list of upcoming classes!

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