How to Make Simple and Easy Kale Salad

Have you been looking for a delicious and nutritious salad that’s simple to prepare and is packed with flavor? You are in the right place! Our Simple and Easy Kale Salad Recipe is a delightful combination of fresh ingredients, guaranteed to excite your taste buds and help you feel good about eating well.

Made with nutrient-dense, deep green kale, crisp romaine lettuce, colorful cabbage slaw, juicy tomatoes, and refreshing cucumbers, this salad is a bowl full of healthy and wholesome goodness. But what truly makes this recipe unique, is the creamy, homemade yogurt and mayo based dressing, complemented by a delicious blend of white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar.

Kale salad on a blue and white plate.

Easy, Crispy and Tangy Kale Salad

Whether you are new to the salad game or just trying to be a bit healthier, this recipe makes a tasty salad recipe and easy but still flavorful one. This recipe shows that healthy recipes do not need to be complicated or bland.

Eating healthy is really easy and pretty tasty too. Be sure to check out our recipes for our healthy BBQ PULLED PORK TENDERLOIN and our CHICKEN ROLL UPS. Both are great recipes to pair with this salad.

Kale: nutritious and delicious

Not only is this kale salad a treat for your palate, but it also is very nutritious. Kale, a leafy green super food, with its deep green color and curly-edge green leaves, is a rich source of nutrients, vitamins like Vitamin K and fiber.

When we combine it with other fresh vegetables and a delicious homemade dressing, and top it with grated cheese, this salad becomes a highlight of any meal and one that you can feel good about. Kale has also been linked in helping with an anti-inflammatory diet.

 “Kale’s rich blend of vitamins A, C, and K, along with calcium and iron, contributes to improved vision, enhanced immune function, and stronger bones, making it an excellent addition to any healthy diet.” Cindy Gordon of VegetarianMamma.com

How to Make It: Simple Ingredients

So, if you’re ready to experience the delicious combo of fresh greens, creamy dressing, and zesty flavor, check out our step-by-step guide to create a salad that is as visually pleasing as it is to the taste buds.

Get ready to take a salad adventure that’s simple, delightful, and nourishing—a kale salad like nothing else!

The full ingredient list and quantities are listed at the bottom of this post on a printable recipe card.

  • Curly Kale, a common type, washed and finely chopped, removing the thick stem
  • Romaine lettuce, washed and finely chopped
  • Cabbage Slaw
  • Tomatoes, diced
  • Cucumbers, diced
  • Unsweetened, plain yogurt
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Oil
  • White Wine Vinegar
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
  • Pepper

Step by Step Simple Kale Salad with a Creamy Homemade Dressing

No special equipment is needed but I do suggest a very good CHEF’S KNIFE or a reliable FOOD PROCESSOR. These two items are a couple of my favorite things in my kitchen. There is a helpful link to several items we used to make this recipe easier at the bottom of this post.

Start by washing, destemming and chopping Kale and Romaine lettuce into small pieces. Place kale and romaine in a large mixing bowl. Add the cabbage slaw and mix to combine.

A white bowl full of greens.
Adding veggie slaw to salad greens.

Dice the tomatoes into bite size pieces. Smash cucumbers with the side of your knife and chop the same size as the tomatoes. Add to the kale and romaine mixture in the bowl.

Using the side of the knife to smash the cucumbers.
Chopping cucumbers on a purple cutting mat.

Season with pepper and bagel seasoning.

A turn of cracked black pepper.
Sprinkling bagel seasoning on salad greens in a white bowl.

In a small bowl, mix yogurt, mayo, mustard, oil, white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Whisk to combine until smooth and creamy.

Adding kewpie mayo to the dressing in a clear mixing bowl.
Adding some spicy brown mustard.
Adding avocado oil.
Adding Apple cider vinegar

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Adding a splash of white wine vinegar.

Pour prepared dressing over salad mixture. Top with grated parmesan cheese and mix well.

Pouring dressing over greens in a white bowl.
Adding cheese to a salad in a white bowl.

Seal and allow to marinate for an hour or two. Shake the covered bowl before serving.  Serve in your favorite salad bowl and enjoy!

Attaching a blue lid to a white bowl.
Colorful green salad on a blue willow plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other types of Lettuce?

You can! Some other really good options would be Spinach, arugula or a spring mix. I even like using shredded red cabbage too!

How can I make this salad vegan?

Easy, just swap the traditional yogurt and mayo for your favorite plant based options.

How to Prep the Kale: do I need to massage it?

No massage necessary. It will be important to wash it well, remove the stems or ribs and chop it into smaller bite size pieces. The acid in the dressing will help massage and soften the kale.

Can I add other things?

Yes! Get creative here! I think cranberries or raisins would be great as well as a bit of crunch by adding some almonds slices or sunflower seeds. Other veggies like bell peppers or carrots add some interest too. Feel free to even change up the type of cheese! Using a different acid is good too like using fresh lemon juice in place of the vinegar.

Do I have to use the “everything but the bagel” seasoning?

In short, no. It simply adds taste and texture to the salad. You can replace with any other seasonings you like. Your favorite dried herb mix, hot red pepper flakes or even cloves garlic and a generous pinch of  onion powder will achieve the same flavor result without the seeds.

Can this be made ahead?

Yes, in fact, it needs to be to give the dressing time to marinate the veggies. Like many of our other salads, the longer it sits, the better it gets!

How long will it be good stored?

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. IF it lasts that long!

Healthy and Simple and Oh so good!

This salad is big on taste and health benefits. It is also versatile, like many of our other recipes, it allows you to personalize it and make it your own. You can add your favorite vegetables, change things up with various toppings, or even cater the dressing to suit your own tastes.

Whether you need a quick lunch, an easy side dish, or a whole meal, our Simple and Easy Kale Salad Recipe is the perfect option. Make it in a jiffy for a satisfying meal or prep it ahead of time for a wholesome pick me up during a busy day.

If you make this recipe, be sure and post it to Facebook or Instagram and tag us. We love pictures of food. Also, if you pin this recipe, we would appreciate that when you make it, you use the Made It function in Pinterest too. 

And as always, we would love it if you shared this recipe with your family and friends. Over to the side on this post and all of the others are handy dandy share buttons. We would sure be grateful if you shared the love!

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More Delicious Salads

We love easy and delicious bread recipes. Listed below are some of our most popular. Give all of them a try!

Colorful green salad on a blue willow plate.

How to Make Simple and Easy Kale Salad

Have you been on the lookout for a simple and refreshing salad? Try our easy kale salad with romaine, cabbage slaw, tomatoes, cucumbers, yogurt-mayo dressing, and zesty vinegars. Ready in a flash for a wholesome meal or make ahead for a quick side.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Kale chopped
  • 1 cup Romaine Lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup Cabbage Slaw Mix
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes chopped
  • 2 small cucumbers chopped
  • 1/2 cup yogurt unsweetened, plain
  • 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Mustard
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Everything but the bagel seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

  • Wash, de-stem and chop the Kale and Romaine lettuce into small pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the cabbage slaw and mix to combine.
  • Dice the tomatoes into bite size pieces. Smash cucumbers with the side of your knife and chop the same size as the tomatoes. Add to the kale and romaine mixture in the bowl.
  • Season with pepper and bagel seasoning.
  • In a smaller bowl, mix yogurt, mayo, mustard, oil, white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Whisk to combine until smooth and creamy.
  • Pour prepared dressing oversalad mixture. Top with grated parmesan cheese and mix well.                         
  • Cover and seal. Allow to marinate for an hour or two. Shake the covered bowl before serving. Serve and enjoy!

See How To Make It!

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