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Home » Blog Posts » Easy Plant Based Recipes » Salads » Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad w/ Citrus Tahini Dressing

Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad w/ Citrus Tahini Dressing

By: Jenn Sebestyen / Published: 10/27/2017 / Last Updated: 01/07/2019

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Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad – 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.

Lacinato kale superfood salad w/ apple slices, avoacdo slices, cucumber slices, and orange zest sprinkled on top.

The weather has turned cooler and all of a sudden I’m craving….salad. I know, I know – you expected me to say soup. Truth is, I’m always craving soup. But I’m not always craving salad. 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!

Orange Tahini Dressing being poured onto a lacinato kale salad.

Orange Tahini Dressing

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.

Bowl of kale salad with a small white bowl of pecans on the side.

Superfoods

Let’s talk about how I loaded up this beautiful salad:

Lacinato Kale: Also called Tuscan, Dinosaur, or Black kale, it’s 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.

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.

Apple: “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” High in fiber and vitamin C, apples may help you regulate blood sugar.

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.

Bowl of kale salad with avocado, apples, pecans, and three orange slices on the side.

Entrée or Side Dish

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.

Fork stabbing a bite of kale salad from a bowl.

Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad

I hope you enjoy this Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad as much as I do. If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback and rating. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it.  Enjoy!

5 from 1 vote
Overhead view of a kale salad with apples, avocados, cucumbers, and orange zest.
Print
Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad
Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad - 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.
Course: Entree, Salad
Cuisine: dairy free, egg free, gluten free, oil free, soy free, vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 215 kcal
Author: Jenn Sebestyen
Ingredients
  • 1 bunch lacinato kale (tough stems removed, leaves chopped)
  • 1 apple (sliced or chopped)
  • 1 avocado (sliced or chopped)
  • 1/2 large cucumber (sliced or chopped)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (try to find them with no sugar added)
  • 1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans*
  • 1 recipe Citrus Tahini Dressing
Instructions
  1. Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl, pour on the dressing, and mix well. 

Recipe Notes

*To toast pecans: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and cook until they start to turn just a tad darker and you can smell them toasting, about 4-5 minutes. Continually shake the pan or stir the nuts around so they don't burn. Don't walk away from the skillet - nuts can burn quickly!! Once toasted, transfer to a plate in a single layer to cool.

**Nutrition facts calculated without dressing

 

 

 

Nutrition Facts
Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 215 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Sodium 64mg3%
Potassium 936mg27%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Fiber 10g42%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 12100IU242%
Vitamin C 222.8mg270%
Calcium 230mg23%
Iron 2.5mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.


More Delicious Healthy Salads to Love:

Black Eyed Peas Salad w/ Baby Power Greens

Black Eyed Peas Salad w/ Baby Power Greens

Broccoli & Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shredded Brussel Sprout Salad

Raw Veggie Chopped Salad

Raw Chopped Veggie Salad

« Citrus Tahini Dressing (Oil Free, Dairy Free)
Bombay Potatoes and Peas from Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen »

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Comments

  1. Sue Ellen says

    November 03, 2017 at 7:42 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      November 03, 2017 at 9:08 am

      Thank you Sue Ellen! That is so nice to hear! This Citrus Tahini Dressing is definitely one of my faves. Enjoy your weekend!

      Reply
  2. Donna says

    November 02, 2017 at 6:17 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      November 02, 2017 at 5:33 pm

      Awesome. Thank you so much, Donna! Please report back if you try it.

      Reply
  3. Cadry says

    November 01, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      November 01, 2017 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks, Cadry! Let me know if you try the dressing – I think you’ll love it!

      Reply
  4. Mary Ellen says

    November 01, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    Dinosaur kale is my favorite! It’s gotten colder here too but I’m still in the mood for salad. This looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      November 01, 2017 at 12:55 pm

      Thanks, Mary Ellen! Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Sarah says

    November 01, 2017 at 11:07 am

    Everything about this looks incredible, especially that orange tahini dressing! Can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      November 01, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks, Sarah! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  6. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says

    October 30, 2017 at 11:49 am

    I love these flavors! This is my kind of salad!

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:53 pm

      Thanks, Amy! Enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Matt @ Plating Pixels says

    October 28, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Love the colors on this! Perfect salad for fall season.

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      October 28, 2017 at 6:08 pm

      Thank you, Matt!

      Reply
  8. Tina Lindquist says

    October 28, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      October 28, 2017 at 6:08 pm

      Glad you like it. I love fruit in my salads too. A little sweetness the natural way! Thanks, Tina!

      Reply
  9. Iryna says

    October 28, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    That dressing and salad sound amazing! Makes me want to devour the whole bowl for dinner!

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      October 28, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      Enjoy, Iryna!

      Reply
  10. Kathi says

    October 28, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    Love the ingredients on this salad. I feel healthier just looking at it and can’t wait to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      October 28, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      If only we COULD become healthier just by looking! 🙂 Thanks, Kathi!

      Reply
  11. Ginny McMeans says

    October 28, 2017 at 11:42 am

    What a lovely salad! Love the combination of ingredients and that citrus tahini is so smart. I’m really looking forward to making this.

    Reply
    • Jenn S. says

      October 28, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks so much, Ginny!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 15 Immune Boosting Vegan Recipes and Wellness Tips says:
    10/03/2018 at 2:27 am

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My name is Jenn. This is my blog where I share delicious plant based recipes for the whole family. I love to cook; I can read cookbooks like novels; and I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen by making standard American favorites healthier.
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