Put a springy twist on a Kale Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette!
Kale Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
As cliche as it sounds, I love a good kale salad. In fact, I’ve already got two of them on my blog — my Big Chickie Salad and my Cranberry Kale Crunch. Today I’m putting a spring update on these recipes with a strawberry vinaigrette and some new spring toppings—green onions, radishes, and of course, more strawberries. I think you’re going to love my Kale Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette!
Massage the Kale
The key to any good kale salad is to massage the kale. Yep, you read that correctly. Turn on some music, light some candles, and give it a good massage. Ok, you don’t have to go quite that far, but you do need to really work that dressing in to break down the kale. That way it’s more tender when you eat it, which means less chewing and easier digestion. It only takes a minute or two, and makes the salad sooooo much better!
Easter Egg Radishes
I saw these adorable “Easter Egg Radishes” at the store and I couldn’t resist. They are so pretty—I can’t get over the covers! Of course, I prefer them sliced up in the salad than whole, but I loved the look of the “bird’s nest” for pictures. Though my mom tells me that my Grandma Henrietta loved radishes, and would eat them dipped in salt. Maybe I should give it a try!
I hope you have a chance to give my Kale Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette a try! Maybe for your Easter dinner? Or for a meal paired with my baked tofu. Either way, it’s delicious, and I hope you love it as much as I do! When you make it, be sure to take a picture and post it to social media. Give me a tag so that I can see. {#frieddandelions // @frieddandelions}
Kale Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Strawberry Vinaigrette
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries if frozen, be sure to thaw before blending
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Salad
- 1 bundle lacinato kale
- strawberries sliced
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 bunch radishes sliced
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Add all of the vinaigrette ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Remove the stems from the kale. Cut into small bite size pieces and wash well.
- Place the kale in a large bowl and drizzle a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette on top.
- Using your hands (the best tools you've got!), massage the vinaigrette into the kale for 1-2 minutes. The kale will begin to soften as you massage.
- Add the remaining ingredients—green onions, fresh strawberries, radishes, and sunflower seeds, and more vinaigrette as desired. Mix well and serve.
You Might also like…
Don’t forget to pin this recipe!
This looks like the perfect spring meal!
Yes! With some pan seared tofu!!!
Such a beautiful salad and a cool idea for the Eater egg radishes!
Love the sound of the dressing too. When I first started making kale salad I didn’t massage it – bad idea! They’re so much better massaged. 🙂
It’s true about massaging kale! I’m also so picky that I can only eat it with a vinaigrette (is it me, or does it totally cut the bitterness?). I can’t wait to give this delicious recipe a try, just in time for strawberry season! ????
Yes, it makes a huge difference! The massaging and the vinaigrette! My crazy 3 year old will eat kale raw—he’s a super hard core vegan 🙂
Now this is my kind of kale salad. So summery!
Mine too!!!
Those radishes are gorgeous!! I am a huge radish lover, so this salad is calling my name. I love that little tiny mason jar too – too cute!
I actually made a strawberry vinaigrette like 2 years ago for a pasta salad and never posted it. I’ll have to revisit that now that you reminded me….if I can even find it in my notebook.
Ooh, that sounds interesting! And yes, the Easter egg radishes are so pretty!
What a gorgeous salad! I can’t wait to taste that dressing. And I love Easter egg radishes, too!
Thank you! I licked the dressing off a spoon!