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This Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad is loaded with avocado, apples, cucumbers, pecans, and a creamy citrus tahini dressing. A delicious, nutritious stand alone salad or perfect as a side dish for meals or even holiday menus.
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We eat a lot of traditional green salads with romaine, tomatoes, and cucumbers, but I don’t always go out of my way to create a fancier salad. The last few weeks, though, I’ve really had a taste for loaded leafy green salads with delicious dressings. They’re so easy to throw together for lunch. This Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad has been a favorite – filling and nutritious.
Bonus – kale is a sturdy green that can handle hanging out in salad dressing without getting wilted. So, make a big bowl, store leftovers in the fridge, and enjoy it all week!
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Lacinato Kale ~ Also called Tuscan, Dinosaur, or Black kale, its leaves are long, dark, and wrinkly. Kale is a cruciferous vegetable (like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) and is one of the most nutrient dense foods you can find. Super high in many vitamins and minerals (like A, K, C, B6, calcium, and potassium), kale also contains anti-oxidants, can help lower blood pressure, and may have protective effects against cancer. [source]
Curly kale may be used instead.
Avocado ~ High in heart healthy fats, this creamy green fruit also contains lots of fiber, vitamin K, folate, vitamin E, potassium, vitamin C, and more. [source]
Apple ~ “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” High in fiber and vitamin C, apples may help you regulate blood sugar.
If you don’t have, don’t like, or are allergic to apples, pears would be a great substitution.
Cucumbers ~ An incredible veggie for hydration, cucumbers also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Pecans ~ Satisfying and high in a numerous amount of vitamins, minerals, and protein, pecans also boast heart healthy fats and anti-oxidants.
Walnuts or almonds would also work.
Nut allergy? Try pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds in place of the pecans.
I paired this hearty kale salad with my creamy Citrus Tahini Dressing. I love the sweetness of the oranges paired with the bitterness of the tahini. Apple cider vinegar adds some tang.
If you like a sweeter salad dressing, a tablespoon of pure maple syrup whisked in would be wonderful.
This superfood salad is satisfying enough to enjoy as an entrée, which I’ve been doing for lunches quite a bit. It will serve two a main dish. If you want to stretch it further, it will serve 4 or 5 as a side to a meal. And I think it would look gorgeous on the holiday table, too.
FAQs
Yes, kale can be eaten raw! It can also be eaten steamed, sautéed, stir fried, or baked.
Kale can taste a little bitter on its own. To make it more palatable, wash the kale well and remove the tough, hard ribs. Using clean hands, massage the kale with dressing, avocado, or extra virgin olive oil for several minutes which will help it breakdown.
Kale contains a wide range of nutrients and is considered a superfood. It is anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant properties. Eating kale may offer prevention again diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. [source]
More vegan salad recipes
- Arugula Peach Farro Salad
- Butter Lettuce Salad
- Massaged Kale Quinoa Salad
- Herb Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad
- Lentil Quinoa Spinach Salad
- Raw Veggie Chopped Salad
- Healthy Taco Salad
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the star rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad
Ingredients
- 1 bunch lacinato kale (tough stems removed, leaves chopped)
- 1 apple (sliced or chopped)
- 1 avocado (sliced or chopped)
- ½ large cucumber (sliced or chopped)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (try to find them with no sugar added)
- ¼ cup toasted chopped pecans*
- 1 recipe Citrus Tahini Dressing
Instructions
- Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl, pour on the dressing, and mix well.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Sue Ellen
Your salads are simply delightful! Even my omni family and friends, who would never eat anything remotely healthy, love them. The salad dressings are simply the best!
Jenn S.
Thank you Sue Ellen! That is so nice to hear! This Citrus Tahini Dressing is definitely one of my faves. Enjoy your weekend!
Donna
Hi, Jenn
Thanks for sharing such a delicious salad. Actually, I was searching for some yummy side dish ideas for the upcoming holidays and here it is! Just bookmarked your site.
Thanks again for the dish– you really made my day!
Jenn S.
Awesome. Thank you so much, Donna! Please report back if you try it.
Cadry
I completely agree that one of the best parts of kale is that you can make a huge salad and pull from it day after day. It doesn’t wilt & brown like lighter greens. Your citrus dressing sounds so bright & lovely! I always pair tahini with lemon, and so I like that you branched outside of my norms.
Jenn S.
Thanks, Cadry! Let me know if you try the dressing – I think you’ll love it!
Mary Ellen
Dinosaur kale is my favorite! It’s gotten colder here too but I’m still in the mood for salad. This looks delicious!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Mary Ellen! Enjoy!
Sarah
Everything about this looks incredible, especially that orange tahini dressing! Can’t wait to try this.
Jenn S.
Thanks, Sarah! I hope you love it!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I love these flavors! This is my kind of salad!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Amy! Enjoy!
Matt @ Plating Pixels
Love the colors on this! Perfect salad for fall season.
Jenn S.
Thank you, Matt!
Tina Lindquist
I love a little fruit in my salad, I think the sweetness will go well with the kale and Citrus Tahini Dressing, looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Jenn S.
Glad you like it. I love fruit in my salads too. A little sweetness the natural way! Thanks, Tina!
Iryna
That dressing and salad sound amazing! Makes me want to devour the whole bowl for dinner!
Jenn S.
Enjoy, Iryna!
Kathi
Love the ingredients on this salad. I feel healthier just looking at it and can’t wait to give it a try!
Jenn S.
If only we COULD become healthier just by looking! 🙂 Thanks, Kathi!
Ginny McMeans
What a lovely salad! Love the combination of ingredients and that citrus tahini is so smart. I’m really looking forward to making this.
Jenn S.
Thanks so much, Ginny!