Description
A fresh and zesty Lemony Parmesan Kale Salad featuring tender massaged kale, crunchy croutons, and a bright lemon-garlic dressing, perfect as a healthy side or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 bunches curly kale
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the kale: Remove and discard the stems from the kale, then wash the leaves thoroughly with water and place them in a large bowl.
- Massage the kale: Add 1 teaspoon of sea salt to the kale and use your hands to massage the salt into the leaves until they begin to soften, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add croutons: Finely chop or crush the croutons and add them to the bowl with the kale.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, and black pepper until fully combined.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the kale and croutons, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve or store: Serve the salad immediately for the best texture, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Notes
- Massaging the kale with salt helps soften the leaves and reduce bitterness.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds the best flavor and texture over pre-shredded varieties.
- You can substitute croutons with toasted nuts or seeds for extra crunch.
- Use fresh lemon juice for a bright and natural flavor in the dressing.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and add extra Parmesan just before serving if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
