Kale and Lemon Salad

A white bowl filled with chopped kale salad topped with sliced almonds and grated cheese, placed on a plate next to a checkered napkin.

Looking for a refreshing twist on your usual salad? This kale and lemon salad is bright, zesty, and packed with flavor. Massaged kale tossed with a simple lemon dressing makes the perfect light and nourishing side dish for any meal. This lemon parmesan kale salad recipe is the perfect pair for your main dishes.

Course Salad, Salads, Side Dish, Sides

Cuisine American, International

Keyword almond, best kale salad, curly, curly kale, finely, grated parmesan, kale salad, kale salad recipe, lemon dressing, lemon juice, lemony, massage, olive oil, parmesan cheese, salad, salad recipe, side dish, sprinkle

Prep Time 10

Servings Servings

Calories 182kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Whisk
1 Bowl
1 Spoon
1 Salad Plate

Ingredients

½ Piece Bunch Kale stems removed, leaves chopped
1½ Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1½ Tablespoons Olive Oil
½ teaspoon Honey Sugar Free if Possible
½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
⅛ teaspoon Salt
⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan
2 Tablespoons Toasted Almonds chopped or sliced
Lemon Zest Optional: Small amount, for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Wash the kale thoroughly and remove any tough stems. Tear or chop the leaves into small, manageable pieces. Spread them out on a large plate or in a serving bowl as your salad base.
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking until everything blends into a smooth, creamy dressing. This simple mix brings a bright and balanced flavor to the salad.
Drizzle the dressing over the kale and use clean hands to gently massage the leaves for about 1 to 2 minutes. This softens the texture and helps the kale absorb all the flavor. Massaging also makes the greens more tender and enjoyable to eat.
Sprinkle sliced almonds and freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dressed kale. Give the salad a gentle toss so the toppings are evenly spread. Finish it off with a little lemon zest for a fresh, zesty bite.

Notes

Massage the Kale: Don’t skip this step; massaging the kale with a little salt or lemon juice helps soften the leaves and makes them easier to chew. It also cuts down the bitterness and brings out a better flavor.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled juice won’t give the same brightness as a freshly squeezed lemon. That fresh citrus kick is what makes this salad shine.
Let It Rest Before Eating: After mixing everything, let the salad sit for about 10 minutes. This gives the flavors time to blend and the kale to soften even more.
Add Texture with Toppings: A sprinkle of nuts, seeds, or even grated cheese adds great contrast. This helps balance the tender greens with a bit of crunch and flavor.

Nutrition