9 Creative Kale Salad Recipes That Are a Fresh Take on Greens

Kale Salad With Fruit

Do you prefer sweet over savory? If so, then this recipe is for you. Raw kale is a versatile green that makes a wonderful base for this delicious, wholesome, sweet fruit salad. You can try this kale salad recipe with so many different fruits, but we recommend including banana for its silky texture and satisfying mouthfeel. Toss in apples, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, mango, or kiwi—and don't forget the cherry on top. Tying it all together is an unexpected dressing of dried shredded coconut and lime juice that you'll want to steal for salads to come.

Raw Kale Salad With Cheese and Lemon Dressing

Wake up your kale with the wonderfully simple and tasty dressing in this recipe. Grated cheese (you can use Parmigiano-Reggiano, pecorino, Grana Padano, Dry Jack, or any other salty, nutty hard cheese) is whisked with salad oil, lemon juice, shallot, and salt. The result is a zesty starter that makes a beautiful addition to a dinner party or Thursday night supper.

Kale and Golden Beet Salad With Tahini-Lemon Dressing

Hearty and chewy and with a lovely blend of sweet, savory, and crunch, this well-rounded kale salad recipe makes a simple lunch or dinner during a hectic week. Roasted golden beets add a beautiful, mellow sweetness to earthy kale leaves. The salad is finished with walnuts, raisins, garlic, and lemon; all tossed in a creamy tahini dressing.

Kale and Fig Salad

Decadent fresh figs are the star of this kale salad that you'll be proud to serve at your dinner parties, holiday meals, and picnics alike. Figs add pizzazz and satisfying flavor to a lovely tossed green salad with fresh kale leaves, other mixed greens, ripe avocado, sweet carrot, crunchy zucchini, zingy lemon juice, and omega-3 rich flaxseed. This one is sure to impress your friends and family.

Kale Quinoa Salad

A trendy ingredient in American culture, quinoa has been a staple of Peruvian cooking for centuries. Although it often gets mischaracterized as a grain, quinoa is actually a seed.

This salad is pulled together with a simple mustard-infused vinaigrette dressing, combining the slight bitterness of kale with the nuttiness of quinoa. It's filling enough to enjoy as a light main course and makes a perfect packed lunch.

Kale and Cabbage Slaw With Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette

Switch up your slaw game with this creative salad recipe that adds kale greens to the usual shredded cabbage mix. Enjoy this slaw recipe alongside any barbecue or grilled foods. It's a breeze to make, with a light and easy dressing that combines some olive oil, grainy Dijon mustard, and white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar. Liven up your burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, fish tacos, or barbecued meats with this salad at your outdoor grilling parties.

Kale Walnut Blue Cheese Salad

We love this hearty first-course salad for dinner parties. Blue cheese and kale bring robust flavor to this salad that's fancy enough for guests. Sophisticated blue cheese and crunchy, protein-rich walnuts add something special to this lovely salad with a base of lightly steamed kale.

Raw Lemon Garlic Marinated Kale

The raw food movement has inspired so many people to come up with creative ways for eating raw foods without sacrificing flavor. This marinated raw kale salad with lemon and garlic is a quick and easy way to eat your greens. Fresh kale is nestled in a simple marinade and left to soak up the goodness of the ingredients for several hours or overnight. The result is a tender, wholesome salad or side dish that can be enjoyed at any meal. Dress it up with protein-rich slivered almonds or cashew halves for a crunchy treat.

Basic Kale Salad Recipe With Creative Variations

Start with this basic kale salad recipe and add in suggested variations depending on your mood or the season. Onions, persimmon, and even anchovy can add dimension to salads in a way that's subtle yet powerful. Start with a base of simple vinaigrette dressing and go from there.