Kale Caesar Salad
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Have your kale, and eat it too, with this delicious kale caesar salad recipe! This hearty dish features crispy, savory bacon, crunchy croutons, and generous shavings of sharp parmesan cheese, all brought together with a creamy and delicious homemade dressing. It's full of contrasting textures and flavors, easy to make, healthy, and delicious!
You know what they say: a salad is only as good as its dressing! Luckily, this easy caesar dressing is here to make your salads really good!
What is a kale caesar salad
A kale caesar salad is a variation of the classic caesar salad that simply replaces the traditional romaine lettuce with chopped kale. That's it! The other elements you love about a caesar salad stay the same, like crunchy croutons, creamy dressing, and crispy bacon.
So why eat your caesar salad with kale, instead? The curly leaves of the kale serve as a perfect vessel to trap the delicious dressing, meaning the flavors are more present. Kale is also a sturdy green so it won't wilt or go soggy if you dress it in advance, so leftovers preserve well. The crunchy kale and creamy dressing also contrast each other beautifully. And finally, the kale leaves also cradle the bacon bits so they don't just fall to the bottom of the bowl, making your salad even tastier!
Ingredients notes
If you've tried a kale salad before, you'll know that there is no other way to eat a caesar salad. Seriously, once you go kale caesar you never go back! This is what you need:
- The salad: Bacon, kale leaves, and parmesan cheese.
- Garlic parmesan croutons: Making your own croutons is totally worth the few minutes it takes to make them! Store-bought work just fine in a pinch, or use toasted cashews or roasted, crispy chickpeas instead!
- The dressing: Mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, black pepper, sea salt, and a garlic clove.
How to make kale caesar salad
It only takes a few steps to be in salad heaven: cook some bacon, throw some things into a bowl, whisk together a dressing, and get your fork ready! This is how it's done:
- Prep: Cut your bacon up into bite-sized pieces and fry it off until crispy! While it's in the pan, pour all the caesar dressing ingredients into a bowl and whisk them together.
- Dress kale: Add the kale to a large bowl and pour the dressing over it, tossing to coat. Let it sit to soften.
- Assemble: Add the crispy bacon, croutons, cheese shavings, and toss it all together. Enjoy!
Is kale caesar salad healthy?
Kale is loaded with nutrients ā you have probably heard this leafy green be described as a superfood before. It's got lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants! Making a homemade dressing means you skip a bunch of preservatives that many storebought dressings contain, which makes kale caesar salad a great choice for a nutritious lunch or dinner.
Variations to try
Kale caesar salad sounds a little fancy, but it's also super easy to customize and make variations. Here are some of our favorite ways to mix it up:
- Toppings: Homemade croutons add a satisfying crunch, but you can also make roasted chickpeas ā they taste great and they're full of fiber and protein! Toasted cashews also taste amazing in this kale caesar salad.
- Protein: Add some shredded baked chicken breast or party shrimp to make this a heartier meal.
- Avocado: Add some sliced avocado for extra creaminess and nutrition.
- Veggies: SautƩ or grill some zucchini, bell peppers, or red onions, or roast some sweet potato cubes for a boost of color, flavor, and nutrients!
What to serve with kale caesar salad
Kale caeser salad works as a standalone meal, or as a nutritious side dish.
Sweet potato contrasts the slightly bitter kale with some nutritious sweetness, so serve it beside sweet potato wedges or sweet potato fritters.
Enjoy it as a side dish to round out meals, like grilled chicken breast with crispy roasted potatoes. It also provides a flavor and texture contrast to creamy soups, like this curried pumpkin soup or creamy cauliflower soup. This works with four cheese mac and cheese, too!
Recipe FAQs
How do I store leftovers?
It's best to store leftover salad undressed, if possible, as the croutons will get less crunchy. Having said that, kale does store better than most salads as it's a sturdy green, so it doesn't go soggy as quickly as lettuce-based salads do.
To store, transfer it to an airtight container and pop a bit of paper towel on top to absorb excess moisture. Place it in the fridge and eat it up within a day or two.
What type of kale should I use in a kale caesar salad?
You can totally play with what kale you use, or use more than one type for a fun blend of textures. The most common type of kale you'll find in the grocery store is curly kale. We also love lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale.
How do I make my own mayo for the dressing?
We have a recipe for an easy homemade mayonnaise! If you're squeamish about raw eggs, we've also shared how to easily pasteurize them in the post.
Kale Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
The Salad
- 4 strips bacon
- 5 cups kale leaves (stems removed and roughly chopped)
- 1 cup homemade croutons (see notes)
- Ā½ cup shaved parmesan cheese (see notes)
Caesar Dressing
- Ā½ cup mayonnaise (try homemade mayonnaise!)
- Ā¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh is best)
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste (or 2 minced anchovies)
- Ā½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- Ā½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
Instructions
- Slice the bacon into 1" pieces. Heat a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until they're crispy. Remove them from the pan.4 strips bacon
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the caesar dressing ingredients together.Ā½ cup shaved parmesan cheese, Ā½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons anchovy paste, Ā½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 pinch sea salt, 1 clove garlic, Ā½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- Add the kale to a large salad bowl and pour the dressing over the top. Toss so that the kale is coated in the dressing and then let it sit to soften for about 10 minutes.5 cups kale leaves, 1 cup homemade croutons
- Add the crispy bacon, croutons, and parmesan cheese and toss again. Serve with a little extra parmesan on top, if you'd like.Ā¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our kale recipes!
Absolutely loved this salad! So easy to make, few ingredients but so full of flavours! Definitely Will be doing it frequently.
Kristen, this salad looks “over-the-top” yummy. I love SIMPLE but I also love FLAVOR and this Kale Salad of yours delivers on both. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but your photos are gorgeous! They make everything you share so very appetizing.
Awww thank you so much! This salad is seriously one of my favorites. I’m making again for guests tonight!