This delectable Kale Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette makes eating healthy a pleasure. It is a perfect lunch or light supper option. For the most optimal flavor use fresh mandarin oranges and fresh grated ginger in your dressing.
I really believe that eating healthy can and should taste good. Kale is not everyone’s favorite greens however with a couple of easy tips it really is delicious. When combined with the right fruits, vegetables, nuts and a tasty tangy dressing it takes on a whole new high. For a more filling meal, add Beef Bulgogi (Korean Beef) or Grilled Marinated Chicken.
How do you massage kale?
I know what you are thinking. You didn’t sign up for this kind of action when you clicked on a recipe. All you really wanted was to find out how to make a kale salad. Fear not my friends. I will not lead you in the wrong direction. Massaging kale is very easy to do and it softens it, makes it less bitter and easier to digest.
Start by removing the stems and ribs from each kale leaf. They can be cut away or the leaves can be ripped from them. Sprinkle the leaves lightly with salt. Then simply put a coating on olive oil on your hands and massage just until the point that they begin to wilt. Now simply chop the kale and proceed with the rest of the salad fixings.
How do you make Kale Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette?
Start by adding the vinegar, honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, garlic, safflower oil and sesame oil to a shaker style jar or mason jar with lid. Give it a few good shakes to combine all those yummy ingredients.
Next grab a big salad bowl and add your massaged kale, spring greens, red onions, carrots, mandarin oranges and almonds. Drizzle with the Ginger Vinaigrette and toss to coat.
Helpful tips for making Kale Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette
- Take the time and massage the kale. It is well worth the time and effort.
- Do not over massage the kale. You want to massage just until it begins to wilt.
- For a variety of textures add several cups of spring greens, romaine or even tender baby spinach.
- If available use fresh mandarin oranges in the kale salad and fresh grated ginger in the Vinaigrette dressing.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the Vinaigrette dressing to your liking.
Other salads you will love!
Kale Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Kale Salad
- 5 -6 cups kale chopped
- 3 cups spring greens
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot cut matchstick
- 3 mandarin oranges peeled and sectioned
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Ginger Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup safflower oil see notes
- 1 teaspoons sesame oil
Instructions
- Combine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, garlic, safflower oil, and sesame oil in a shaker style jar; shake to mix.
- Remove the stems and ribs from the kale leaves. Sprinkle the leaves lightly with salt. Rub your hands with the olive oil olive and rub the kale leaves until they begin to wilt. Chop the kale leaves.
- Place your massaged kale, spring greens, red onions, carrots, mandarin oranges and almonds in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with the Ginger Vinaigrette and toss to coat.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Take the time and massage the kale. It is well worth the time and effort.
- Do not over massage the kale. You want to massage just until it begins to wilt.
- For a variety of textures add several cups of spring greens, romaine or even tender baby spinach.
- If available use fresh mandarin oranges in the kale salad and fresh grated ginger in the Vinaigrette dressing.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the Vinaigrette dressing to your liking.
Nutrition
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Kale Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Kale Salad
- 5 -6 cups kale chopped
- 3 cups spring greens
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot cut matchstick
- 3 mandarin oranges peeled and sectioned
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Ginger Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup safflower oil see notes
- 1 teaspoons sesame oil
Instructions
- Combine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, garlic, safflower oil, and sesame oil in a shaker style jar; shake to mix.
- Remove the stems and ribs from the kale leaves. Sprinkle the leaves lightly with salt. Rub your hands with the olive oil olive and rub the kale leaves until they begin to wilt. Chop the kale leaves.
- Place your massaged kale, spring greens, red onions, carrots, mandarin oranges and almonds in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with the Ginger Vinaigrette and toss to coat.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Take the time and massage the kale. It is well worth the time and effort.
- Do not over massage the kale. You want to massage just until it begins to wilt.
- For a variety of textures add several cups of spring greens, romaine or even tender baby spinach.
- If available use fresh mandarin oranges in the kale salad and fresh grated ginger in the Vinaigrette dressing.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the Vinaigrette dressing to your liking.
Mikayla
This dressing is delish!! Massaging the kale makes all the difference for the dressing to coat it.
Roxana
This salad looks and sounds amazing. Love the kale and ginger combination, not to mention all the other good things in this salad.
Shinta
Love the sound of the salad, especially the dressing! I had to laugh about the part when you mentioned massaging the kale! This is one salad I’m bookmarking for summer right away
Beth Pierce
Thanks Shinta! I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa
I’m always seeking out new versions of kale salads and this one looks amazing. I’m a huge fan of ginger in anything so I know I’ll love it! 🙂
Denise
What a delicious and fresh salad. Perfect for Spring! I learned about massaging the kale after I tried eating it a few times… massaging it makes a world of difference if you ask me!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! Yes massaging the kale really brings out best in it!