Garlic Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant kale with zesty lemon garlic dressing and savory Parmesan. Ready in 15 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (about 8 cups), stems removed and leaves chopped
02 - 1/2 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
03 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

→ Lemon Garlic Dressing

04 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt, and massage leaves with hands for 1-2 minutes until softened and bright green.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Pour dressing over kale and toss thoroughly to coat all leaves evenly.
04 - Sprinkle Parmesan and nuts over salad, toss lightly, and serve immediately or let sit 5 minutes for flavors to meld.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The kale stays crisp and fresh without any bitterness
  • The dressing comes together in under two minutes with pantry staples
02 -
  • The massaging step is not optional, it completely transforms the texture
  • This salad actually gets better after sitting for 5 to 10 minutes
03 -
  • Toast your nuts in advance and store them for faster prep
  • Double the dressing and keep it in the fridge for quick salads all week

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