This thick and flavorful Kale Caesar salad has a quick dressing that is so amazing, that you’ll nearly want to drink it!
Everyone enjoys a delicious kale salad as much as they enjoy a wonderful caesar salad topped with bacon and croutons. The ideal supper or side dish results from combining the two!
Despite being top choices on the menu, the Power Kale Caesar Salad at Panera and the Sweetgreen Kale Caesar Salad fall short of this amazing homemade version.
A Filling Salad
Given that kale is a superfood bursting with flavor and nutrition, it stands to reason that it would be an excellent substitute for romaine lettuce, which is more customary.
Food: Kale Caesar Salad (Source: Eating Bird Food)The fact that leftover salad (even with dressing) will keep in the fridge for a few days is one of my favorite things about using kale in salads instead of lettuce. If you’re preparing this ahead of time, simply set the croutons aside.
TIP: For a low-carb variation, omit the croutons.
How does a kale Caesar salad taste?
VEGGIES Of course kale, but feel free to also include romaine or spinach.
TOPPING/FILLING For this crisp and crispy salad, favorite topping ingredients include bacon, croutons, and Parmesan.
DRESSING The creamy Caesar dressing is the true star here. While the dressing in my classic caesar salad recipe is made from scratch, the base for this one is mayonnaise. In little time at all, you have a delicious and creamy dressing!
Grilled chicken or shrimp are the ideal toppings to transform this side dish into a whole supper. With garlic bread, serve it.
While chicken can be included to create a chicken caesar salad, pasta also works well in this dish.
Advice & Methods
- When the kale leaves are somewhat softer and a darker green, gently “massage” each piece between your hands after rinsing and patting them dry.
- Before breaking each leaf into bite-sized pieces, make sure to remove the spine. The outcome is tender kale that retains all of its health advantages.
- For around 3 to 4 days, kale Caesar dressing can be stored in the refrigerator.
Caesar salad with kale
With crunchy kale, croutons, bacon, and parmesan, in a creamy Caesar dressing!
| 15 minutes to prepare
fifteen minutes to cook thirty minutes in total servings: 4 |
Ingredients for Kale Caesar Salad
- 1 bunch of kale washed, dried, and torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup croutons store-bought or homemade
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese shredded
dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup parmesan shredded
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste* see note
- fresh black pepper
Instructions
Food: Kale Caesar Salad (Source: Eating Bird Food)- All dressing ingredients should be blended until smooth.
- Clearly dry kale after washing. Use your hands to gently “massage” the kale until the leaves are somewhat softer and a darker green. Although optional, doing so results in a leaf that is softer.
- Kale and croutons should be combined in a sizable salad bowl. Add dressing on top as desired, then blend.
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese and bacon bits should be added.
Notes
You might not need the entire amount of dressing called for in this recipe; any extra will keep for about 3 days in the fridge if sealed tightly.
Before breaking each leaf into bite-sized pieces, make sure to remove the spine.
A small bit of anchovy dramatically enhances the flavor of this dressing by imparting a salty, saline flavor. If you can’t tolerate anchovies at all, omit them and substitute capers that have been finely minced or chopped.
Nutrition information
Calories: 583 | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 863mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3410IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 1mg