Loaded Kale Salad Recipe With Lemon Dijon Dressing Is Loaded With Health Benefits (20 Minutes) High Protein Recipes High Fiber Recipes Salads Vegetarian Gluten-free Vegan Lunch Vegetables

I really was craving a salad the other day so when I went to my local farmers market. I was on the lookout to see what was readily available to add to the beautiful kale I had just purchased. Sweet peppers, onions and apples were abundant, so I grabbed those to make this incredibly easy, tasty and nutritious loaded kale salad recipe with lemon Dijon dressing.

This high-fiber and high-protein loaded kale salad recipe comes together in just 20 minutes. If you want to make the leafy green salad vegan, just leave the optional cheese off. Here is your shopping list for this healthy kale salad recipe: fresh kale, olive oil, lemons for juicing, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, carrots, apple, sweet peppers, almonds, red onion and optional cheddar cheese. For an little extra, I like to use pickled red onions instead of just sliced onion. Check out my pickled red onion recipe.

This salad is loaded with nutrition and health benefits! Check out the health benefits of kale, the health benefits of apple, the health benefits of peppers, the health benefits of carrots, the health benefits of almonds and the health benefits of lemons.

Serve this fresh, wholesome kale salad as a side dish with dinner or as a light lunch. 

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Dressing

• 1/2 cup olive oil 
• 2 lemons, juiced 
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons real maple syrup (or honey or agave nectar)
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Salad 

• 1 pound curly kale, washed and ribs removed (about 2 small bunches)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 large carrots, grated
• 1 large apple, diced
• 1 sweet pepper, diced
• 3/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (or pickled red onions)
• 3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (optional)

Here's how to make it: 

1. Combine the dressing ingredients in a mason jar or bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Shake or whisk to combine. Set aside.
2. Slice the kale into small bite-size pieces and place in a large salad bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the kale. Using clean hands, massage the juice and oil into the kale for about 1 minute. You really want to squeeze the kale as this helps to make it more tender. Set aside.
3. Put the carrots, sweet pepper, onion, apple and almonds into the bowl with the kale.
4. Pour about half of the dressing on top of the kale and mix to combine. Taste to see if more salt, pepper or dressing is needed and adjust as desired.
5. Top with cheese, if desired. (You can use whatever type of cheese you like.) Serve.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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