Kale Caesar Salad: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser
A kale caesar salad recipe always hits the spot. It’s full of flavor and has a nice crunch. You can make it ahead of time, and it’ll still taste great. If you’re looking for an easy-to-make, incredibly delicious salad that works for any occasion, this is the one. Whether you serve it for a family dinner or take it to a potluck, this recipe and homemade Caesar dressing is sure to be a hit!
Why Kale? It’s the MVP of Greens
I’m a big fan of kale—it’s hands down my favorite leafy green. It’s hearty, loaded with nutrients, and adds great texture to any dish.
But let’s be real—raw kale can be a bit rough. The key to making it more enjoyable? Give it a quick massage!
Before adding the kale Caesar salad dressing, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of olive oil on the greens. Use your hands to massage the greens for a couple of minutes or so.
This step softens the leaves, making them tender and tasty. It also helps them soak up the flavorful Caesar salad dressing.
Kale Caesar Salad: The Perfect Potluck Addition
If you need a reliable dish for a gathering, a good Caesar salad is always a winner. When you use kale instead, it gets even better.
The beauty of this dish is its make-ahead magic. Unlike traditional romaine, which wilts quickly, kale holds up beautifully under a delicious classic caesar dressing. You can prepare the kale caesar salad hours in advance—even the day before—and it’ll still be fresh and crisp when it’s time to eat.
Creamy Dressing: The Secret Ingredient
The dressing is where the magic happens. This homemade caesar dressing is my own twist on my mom’s classic caesar dressing, and it’s one I always have on hand.
It’s tangy, creamy, and loaded with goodness. Plus, it’s not just for salads—I drizzle it over roasted veggies, spread it on sandwiches, and even use it as a dip. Pro tip: save a little extra for later because once you taste it, you’ll want to put it on everything.
Elevate Your Kale Caesar Salad with Extra Flavor
Want to take your kale caesar salad to the next level? Here are some simple but impactful ways to boost the flavor:
- Bacon Fat: If you’ve cooked up some crispy bacon for the salad, don’t let that bacon fat go to waste! Drizzle a bit into the dressing for a deeper, smoky richness.
- Crunch Factor: Toasted breadcrumbs or croutons add the perfect contrast to the tender kale.
- A Drizzle of Olive Oil: Even with the dressing, a final drizzle of olive oil on top adds more flavor.
- Parmesan Power: A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese ties everything together.
The Best Salad Ingredients for This Dish
The beauty of kale salad recipes is their versatility. You can customize this dish however you like, but these ingredients are a must:
- Fresh kale leaves (Tuscan or curly kale both work!)
- A tasty and zesty Caesar salad dressing made in the food processor. It uses fresh lemon, extra virgin olive oil, and Dijon mustard.
- A tablespoon of olive oil to massage the greens
- Crispy bacon or pancetta for added texture
- Shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
- Homemade croutons or toasted breadcrumbs
A Kale Caesar Salad That’s as Easy as It Is Delicious
At the end of the day, this kale caesar salad recipe is a staple for a reason. It’s bold, flavorful, and easy to throw together. The sturdy kale means no soggy leaves, and the homemade caesar dressing takes it over the top.
Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a large social gathering, this salad is always a guaranteed hit. So grab your salad bowl, give that kale a good massage, and dig into a dish that’s fresh, hearty, and packed with flavor!
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Ingredients:
Caesar Dressing
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2½ tbsp maple syrup
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1¼ cups shredded parmesan
- 5 capers
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh cracked pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 filet anchovy (optional)
- 1¼ cups vegetable oil
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of kale, leaves removed from stems
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 baguette, cut into croutons
- 5 slices smoked bacon
- 1/2 cup shaved parmasean
Instructions:
- For the best results, you'll want to use a blender, though a food processor works just as well. Add all the ingredients—except the vegetable oil—into the blender and blend on high for about 30 seconds until smooth.
- With the blender still running, slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil. Take your time with this step—it helps emulsify the dressing, giving it that smooth, creamy texture.
- Next, place the kale leaves in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Using your hands, gently massage the leaves for a few minutes until they become tender and slightly darker in color. This step softens the kale and enhances its flavor.
- Set a pan over medium-high heat and lay the bacon slices in a single layer. Cook until crispy, then carefully drain off any excess fat. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil, then toss in the cubed baguette. Let the croutons toast, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy. They’ll soak up all that delicious bacon flavor! Once perfectly toasted, remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Drizzle your desired amount of dressing over the salad, then toss everything together using tongs to ensure the kale is well coated.
- Next, sprinkle the chopped bacon and crispy croutons over the top. Finish with a generous handful of shaved Parmesan for that perfect final touch. Dig in and enjoy!
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