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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad

    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad

    Feb 26, 2019 · 6 Comments

    Don't be fooled by the mere four ingredient for this recipe - this kale salad is truly the BEST you'll ever have, and it only takes 5 minutes to make!

    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad | The Baking Fairy

    Hi buddies! Well, I bet you were not expecting me to pop on here and wax poetic about kale salad on a Tuesday, but here we are. I am so excited to share this recipe with y'all today because I LOVE it so much! I've been making it at least once a week and I still love eating it, so that's really saying something. Without further ado, I present to you - The Best And Easiest KALE Salad (like...ever). A bit dramatic? Perhaps. But seriously, don't be fooled by the simple list of ingredients because this is incredibly good, and probably my favorite way to eat kale! Yes, even more than with pasta.

    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad | The Baking Fairy

    This is not my first kale salad on the blog... I actually have another posted that is similar but it also includes sweet potatoes, cashews, parmesan, and a whole separate dressing. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's definitely GOOD but a bit more fussy. With this super simple kale salad, I have cracked the code. The key is you have to massage the kale! And before you go, well DUH, we all knew that... you have to massage it in water when you're washing it. Not with the oil or dressing. I have tested this both ways and found that massaging it in water makes the salad so much better!

    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad | The Baking Fairy

    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad | The Baking Fairy

    Here are my thoughts on why massaging it in water works so much better - when I am washing the kale and massaging it, I seriously sit there and squeeze the bejesus out of it. It's basically akin to hand-washing clothes. BUT the water turns bright green, which leads me to think that all the bitter grossness in the kale comes out... and stays in the water. Versus when you massage it with olive oil, well, the bitter grossness really still sits on the kale because it has nowhere else to go. This way, you're literally rinsing the gross away! After you squeeze your kale nice and good and it's basically turned into soft tender little leaves, all you have to do is hit it with some olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic salt. THAT IS IT. I know it seems too simple to work but I promise it is awesome!

    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad | The Baking Fairy

    I know that was a lot of words about kale salad but seriously - give my method a try. You'll be shocked at the difference! Let me know if you guys make this kale salad. I'd love to hear your thoughts 🙂

    Tips for success:

    • Don't be shy! Really massage the heck out of that kale. The more you massage it, the less work your teeth have to do when chewing, and the better mouthfeel it will have!
    • Add a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper on top for even more flavor.
    • If you're feeling crazy... a smashed avocado mixed in here is DIVINE!

    5.0 from 2 reviews
    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad
     
    Save Print
    Prep time
    10 mins
    Total time
    10 mins
     
    Don't be fooled by the mere four ingredient for this recipe - this kale salad is truly the BEST you'll ever have, and it only takes 5 minutes to make!
    Author: Valentina | The Baking Fairy
    Recipe type: Salads
    Serves: 6
    Ingredients
    • 1 bunch fresh kale
    • 1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • juice of ½ lemon
    • garlic salt, to taste
    Instructions
    1. First, prepare the kale. Fill your sink with cold water, and soak the kale leaves. Remove the tough stem in the middle as well as any other hard pieces you find.
    2. Tear the kale leaves with your hand into smaller pieces, and then start really massaging and squeezing the kale leaves with your hands. You can't be too rough!
    3. Keep massaging until the leaves are soft and malleable. You should literally be able to squeeze water out of a handful of kale just like you would a piece of fabric.
    4. Shake off the excess water, and dry off the kale leaves with a paper towel.
    5. Add the kale to a large bowl, and toss with the olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic salt. Enjoy immediately, or store leftovers in the fridge!
    3.5.3251

    the BEST {and easiest!} kale salad | The Baking Fairy

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa Kerhin says

      March 06, 2019 at 12:22 pm

      I meant to tell you, I made this for my lunch and it was amazing. I may have added more lemon juice than you mentioned and it was super yummy

      Reply
      • valentina says

        March 06, 2019 at 12:29 pm

        Ahh I love that! I am so glad you liked it! And that's one thing I love about this salad, it's super easy to customize to taste. A little extra pop of lemon is nice depending on what you're eating it with! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Carlee says

      March 06, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      I love lemon and kale together. this looks so fresh and delicious!

      Reply
    3. Karen says

      March 06, 2019 at 11:26 pm

      This sounds so simple and easy! What a great way to get your greens!

      Reply
    4. Uraina says

      February 07, 2020 at 5:01 pm

      This was refreshing and delicious. Thank you.

      Reply
    5. Uraina says

      February 07, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      This was simple, refreshing, and delicious. I did add fresh roasted garlic instead of the garlic salt. Thank you.

      Reply

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    Hi! My name is Valentina and I'm The Baking Fairy! Pediatric physician assistant by day and food blogger extraordinaire by night. Full-blooded Italian, but I've lived in Texas for most of my life. I love margaritas, brownies, avocados, and my mamma's homemade pizza. Married to my high school sweetheart (who is ALSO a pediatrician). My mission is to make plant-based cooking fun and delicious, one recipe at a time. I want to show people that vegan food is not just for vegans!

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