This kale salad is a delicious way to enjoy this superfood green. It has a creamy buttermilk dressing, sweet and tangy red onions, and a crunchy quinoa mixture that adds texture and flavor. You can make all the components ahead of time and assemble the salad when you are ready to eat. This kale salad is filling, nutritious, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
How to Make Kale Salad
To make this kale salad, you will need the following ingredients:
- Lacinato kale: This is also known as Tuscan or dinosaur kale. It has dark green leaves that are softer and less bitter than curly kale. You will need to remove the stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- Olive oil, lemon juice, and salt: These are used to massage the kale and make it more tender and flavorful. You can use your hands or a rolling pin to do this.
- Fresh dill: This herb adds a fresh and bright flavor to the salad. You can chop it finely or leave it in larger sprigs.
- Crunchy quinoa topper: This is a mixture of cooked quinoa, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and sesame seeds that are baked until crispy. You can make this ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for up to a month. It adds a great crunch and protein to the salad.
- Red onions: These are sliced thinly and soaked in a baking soda and water solution to reduce their pungency. This is optional, but it makes them more mild and pleasant to eat raw. You can also use shallots or green onions instead.
- Buttermilk dressing: This is a creamy and tangy dressing that goes well with the kale. It is made with buttermilk, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. You can make this ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to use.
To assemble the salad, toss the massaged kale with the dill in a large bowl. Add the quinoa mixture, onions, and dressing as desired. Enjoy!
