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    Home » Recipes » Kale Salad Recipe With Lemon Honey Dressing

    Kale Salad Recipe With Lemon Honey Dressing

    Published: Jul 13, 2020 · Modified: Nov 10, 2020 by Bailey · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Kale Salad Recipe With Lemon Honey Dressing is requested at least once a week in my house. It is full of real ingredients, filling and can be whipped up in under 15 minutes. The quinoa and cucumber add some great texture and crunch to it. The dressing is nutty, bright and addictive.

    Why Make This Recipe:

    It's quick. This recipe is so easy to whip up and it tastes gourmet and takes 15 minutes.

    It's yummy! Your friends in family will be impressed by the flavors and nutrients in this salad

    This kale Salad is allergy friendly.

    This kale salad recipe is diet friendly. It's full of healthy fats, filling and completely vegetarian.

    Recipe Ingredients:

    All the kale recipe ingredients, kale, tahini, garlic, salt and pepper, lemon juice, cucumber, tomatoes, olive oil, honey and quinoa.

    Quinoa. Adds some protein, texture, and it pairs with kale perfectly.

    Kale. When massaged, its the perfect vehicle for the Lemon Honey dressing.

    Lemon juice. I opt for fresh squeezed as it has the freshest, best flavor.

    Honey. High quality and subtle sweet in flavor is best. If you are making this vegan, I suggest you use maple syrup. It is just as delicious.

    Olive Oil. High quality EVOO is best, be sure there is no bitter flavor.

    Tahini: This is one of the most important ingredients for this salad. It has a mild nutty flavor and it gives the salad a perfect flavorful creamy texture without dairy! I recommend using Soom Tahini.

    How To Make This Kale Salad Recipe:

    Step 1: Wash and stem Kale. Chop it up into bite sized pieces. Add it to a large bowl. Pour 1 tbs of olive oil and 1 tsp lemon juice over kale.

    Step 2: massage it with finger tips to soften the leaves and make the kale salad taste less bitter.

    chop the kale and pour oil over it. Then massage it with hands.

    Step 3: Mix all the dressing ingredients into a bowl. tahini, honey, garlic, lemon juice. Begin to mix with a whisk or spoon and slowly add the warm water to the mix 2 tbs at a time.

    Step 4: Lemon Honey dressing will look clumpy and thick when you add the water. Slowly add more tbsp at a time. The oil and water will eventually mix and become more cohesive. The dressing will thin and be smooth. Feel free to add another tbsp or more if you prefer your dressing thinner.

    tahini in a small blue bowl with other dressing ingredients. Showing how to mix the tahini until dressing is right consistency and then pouring it over salad and mixing together all the ingredients.

    Step 5: The lemon honey dressing should look like this, smooth and perfect.

    Step 6: Add the quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes and kale to one big bowl.

    Step 7: Pour the lemon honey dressing over the ingredients in the large bowl

    Step 8: Toss the salad with a nice set of tongs or salad tossing forks.

    pouring dressing over the salad. then a photo of the finished salad in a white bowl topped with avocado slices.
    Finished salad in a bowl ready to serve with dressing in the background.

    FAQs & Expert Tips:

    I don't like kale, will this work with other leafy greens?

    Yes, spinach or mixed greens would be a great alternative. Just be sure to thin the dressing a bit more so it spreads nicely.

    Can I use seed butter for the dressing

    Yes, you can use sunflower butter for the dressing however I highly recommend tahini.

    You can easily customize your toppings for this salad. I prefer cucumber, avocado and tomatoes for my mix-ins. This salad is fantastic as a side dish or topped with chicken or salmon for a full meal. I have added some croutons, black beans and chickpeas as well and it's equally as delicious.

    If you want to make your salads more flavorful and satisfying - add herbs! You can literally add any herb to a salad to freshen it up and take the flavor up a notch. I usually go for cilantro, basil or thyme to spruce up my leafy greens. This recipe doesn't call for any but I still highly recommend adding any fresh herbs if you have any lying around. You can thank me later 😉

    I recommend you use this tahini. It is by far the best I have had, it mixes perfectly and has the best flavor.

    Finished salad in a white bowl with a white background.

    Related Recipes:

    • BERRY SALAD WITH RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE
    • KALE SALAD WITH SOUTHWEST DRESSING
    • BURRATA SPINACH SALAD WITH HONEY DIJON DRESSING

    If you make these, be sure to post about it and tag me on Instagram @sailor_bailey and use #SailorBailey so I can see your creations! I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my eMail list, too!

    Superfood Salad with Lemon Garlic Dressing

    Kale Salad Recipe With Lemon Honey Dressing

    This kale salad recipe is a crowd pleaser and only takes about 15 minutes or less to make. The quinoa and cucumber add great texture and crunch. The tahini dressing is nutty, bright and addictive. When you add the homemade dressing it's a powerhouse of flavors.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, lunch
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 216kcal
    Author: Bailey

    Ingredients

    Salad

    • 6 cups kale massaged*
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 cups spinach optional
    • 1 cup cucumber
    • ½ cup chopped tomatoes
    • 1 cup cooked quinoa cook according to package
    • 1 sliced avocado

    Lemon Honey Dressing

    • ¼ cup tahini well stirred
    • ¼ cup warm water to thin the tahini *read instructions
    • 1 tsp honey
    • ⅛ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp minced garlic
    • 1⅓ tbsp lemon juice

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl add kale and oil. Massage kale with hands lightly to soften the leaves. Add in quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes and spinach. Mix together well.

    For Dressing

    • Add tahini to a bowl, slowly add in warm water and mix with a whisk or fork. Keep mixing in water in small amounts until tahini "accepts" the water. It takes a little patience and trust but it will eventually thin to a dressing consistancy.
    • Once you have the consistancey you prefer, add in all the other ingredients and whisk together well. Pour over salad and toss well before serving. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *To massage the kale simple add 1 tbs of olive oil & 1 tsp lemon juice to chopped fresh kale and massage it with your fingers to soften the leaves and give them a more enjoyable texture and flavor. 
    *Spinach is optional if you like more texture with your kale
    * Be sure to be patient with thinning the tahini dressing. The water takes a bit of time to mix with the oil. It will get thick and lumpy at first but add 1 tbs of water at a time until the mixture finally thins. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 714mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 7719IU | Vitamin C: 91mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @sailor_bailey or tag #sailorbailey!
    Previous Post: « Berry Salad With Raspberry Vinaigrette
    Next Post: The Best Fresh Mango Salsa »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nanda

      July 16, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy! I just made it!

      Reply
    2. Kelli Anderson

      August 17, 2020 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      This dressing might be my new favorite go to! So easy with such a great flavor. I'm thinking it's going to be a big salad week for me with this tasty new dressing!

      Reply
      • Bailey

        August 17, 2020 at 1:29 pm

        Yay! It is a family favorite over here - so happy to hear you are adding it in to your weekly rotation.

        Reply
    3. Jennifer Callahan

      January 06, 2021 at 7:13 am

      5 stars
      I made this last night with your airfried salmon recipe! It was phenomenal and hubs loves it too (huge bc he doesn't usually like kale!)

      Reply
    4. Beth Berg14

      January 06, 2021 at 7:14 am

      5 stars
      Wish I could give this recipe 10 stars! I've been making this for over 6 months. That dressing is so good.

      Reply
    5. Angie

      March 02, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is packed with nutritious greens and tastes great! Made it for the first time tonight but I will definitely keep it on a regular rotation going forward.

      Reply
      • Bailey

        March 09, 2021 at 8:57 am

        Hi Angie!
        This is a favorite of mine, I am so happy you enjoyed it as well.

        Reply
    6. Lauren

      March 04, 2021 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      BEST dressing ever!!

      Reply

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    My name is Bailey and this is my blog. I love to cook, I dabble in baking and most of my recipes require little effort. I cook with lots of flavor and try to pack my meals with nourishment. I have a very flexible diet but try to eat as plant-based as I can. On this blog I offer flexible, customizable recipes.

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