It took me a number of years, but I can officially say that I’m obsessed with kale. Gimme a giant kale salad loaded with yummy toppings any day of the week, and I’ll be a happy gal.
I realized that with all of the recipes I’ve been throwing kale into lately, I didn’t have a roundup yet! So here she is in all her glory: all of my flavorful kale recipes to make for lunch, dinner, and yes, even a fresh breakfast.
Kale is at peak flavor right now, so load up on this lovely green and try any of these 11 wonderful ways to use it.
Different types of kale
That’s right, you’ll likely run into a few different varieties of kale when you head to the store or farmer’s market. These are the most common:
- Curly kale: you’ll see this one the most, and it’s distinguished by its ruffly, dark green leaves.
- Lacinato kale: this is also called Tuscan or dinosaur kale. The leaves are typically flat but with a lot of texture.
- Baby kale: you’ll typically find this pre-bagged in the grocery store (rather than in a bunch). It’s picked before the leaves get really large and tough, so the leaves are great for throwing into smoothies.
Reasons to fall in love with kale
This leafy green is a lot more than just beautiful. It’s also:
- Versatile: throw it in smoothies, simmer it in soups, and have fun with tons of different flavor variations. It’s very neutral in flavor and can be cooked or enjoyed raw with dressings or sauces.
- Nutrient-dense: we all know that leafy greens are “good” for us. But what does that mean? Kale has a ton of antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Vitamin K actually helps improve bone density (getting strong like Popeye isn’t just for spinach!)
- Sturdy: okay, that might seem like a strange word to use, but what I mean is that it holds up well in dressings and sauces, making it the perfect salad base. Greens like spinach, arugula, and romaine get soggy very quickly, but kale will taste even better as it marinates in a dressing.
- Filling: kale also packs in extra fiber, which will keep you fuller and more satisfied for longer!
Tips for using raw kale in salads
Raw kale leaves are much tougher than other leafy greens, so don’t forget these tips for using it in salads:
- Remove the stem. Kale leaves are attached to a thick stem down the middle, which you’ll want to remove and discard before adding them to your recipe.
- Chop it small. Be sure to chop it very finely so that the bites aren’t too large. Use a sharp knife or salad chopper, or pulse the kale a few times in a food processor.
- Massage it. I recommend adding your dressing to the kale first and “massaging” the dressing into the greens so that the kale is well coated.
- Let it marinate. You’ll then want to let the dressed kale sit for a bit before adding the rest of the salad components so that it takes on the dressing flavor and softens a bit.
Manchego Apple Kale Farro Salad
Beautiful apple kale farro salad with savory manchego cheese, a light maple cider dressing, and a sweet and salty pecan pumpkin seed crunch topping. This harvest apple farro salad is the perfect lunch or holiday side dish, and a wonderful way to use up fresh fall apples! Make it your way with a boost of protein, even more veggies, and other yummy mix-ins.
The ultimate crunchy peanut kale salad packed with a rainbow of vegetables and herbs, and tossed in a dreamy, creamy ginger peanut dressing. This beautiful kale salad stays good in the fridge for days, making it the perfect high-fiber, protein-packed meal prep lunch! Enjoy as is or add an extra boost of protein for a heartier meal.
Nourishing Italian wedding soup with protein-packed chicken meatballs, lots of beautiful vegetables, and tender pearl couscous. This classic Italian wedding soup recipe is easy to make for the perfect weekday lunch or dinner the whole family will love!
Refreshing Pineapple Kale Smoothie
Refreshing pineapple kale smoothie made with five simple ingredients for a wonderful, easy breakfast or snack. Creamy coconut milk gives this vegan pineapple kale smoothie a delicious, tropical flavor you’ll love. Add your fav nutritional boosters, mix-ins or toppings!
Beautiful strawberry kale salad tossed with fresh strawberries, sweet corn, creamy avocado and a delicious cilantro lime dressing. This fresh chopped kale salad is wonderful as-is and the perfect base for your favorite proteins! Enjoy as a seasonal side dish or lunch all summer long.
California Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad
Gorgeous California roasted sweet potato kale salad with dried cranberries, avocado, sweet & spicy pistachios and a creamy tahini dressing. This vegan sweet potato kale salad is bursting with flavor and easy to customize with additional protein! The perfect veggie-packed lunch or dinner during the week.
One Pan White Wine Chicken Sausage White Bean Bake
Incredible one pan chicken sausage white bean bake with warm seasonings, a boost of greens from kale and herbs, and a layer of melty cheese. This comforting, protein-packed white bean bake is such a fun weeknight meal made extra delicious when scooped up with baguette slices or pieces of sourdough!
Warm Roasted Vegetable Harvest Couscous Salad
Warm roasted vegetable couscous salad filled with nourishing winter produce, protein from chickpeas, and a lovely apple cider maple tahini dressing. This beautiful harvest salad is easy to customize with sweet and savory garnishes, and makes the perfect seasonal lunch!
Scoop It Up Kale Couscous Salad
Fresh, herby kale couscous salad with feta, chickpeas, and olives that comes together in just 30 minutes for a satisfying lunch or side dish. Scoop up this beautiful salad with tortilla chips or pitas chips to get an extra delicious crunch! You’ll love this veggie-packed salad as is or with your favorite grilled proteins.
Brussels Sprouts Kale Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing
Sweet & crunchy brussels sprouts kale apple salad with a light maple cider dressing. This beautiful, fall-inspired kale apple salad has wonderful flavors and textures from tangy gorgonzola, dried cranberries and a pecan pumpkin seed crunch mixture. Enjoy the perfect lunch or side dish all season long!
Kale, Edamame & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Gorgeous kale quinoa salad packed with juicy mango, tomatoes, heart-healthy avocado, and nutty quinoa. This easy kale quinoa salad gets tossed with a light lemon basil vinaigrette for the perfect lunch or party side dish with over 13g of plant-based protein!
