Bacon Kale Caesar Salad with Garlic Parmesan Croutons
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This bacon kale Caesar salad is loaded with crispy bacon, garlic parmesan croutons, and thick shavings of parmesan, all tossed with a creamy 5-minute dressing. The sturdy kale holds up beautifully, so it stays crisp long after it’s dressed.
This bacon kale Caesar salad is what I make when I want a Caesar that actually holds up. Sturdy curly kale gets tossed with a creamy homemade dressing, then piled with crispy bacon, garlic parmesan croutons, and thick shavings of parmesan. Unlike a romaine Caesar that goes limp the second you dress it, this one keeps its crunch and tastes just as good the next day.
I use curly kale on purpose. The ruffled leaves have little nooks and crannies that grab the dressing, so every bite is loaded with flavor instead of dry patches. I also shave the parmesan into thick pieces with a vegetable peeler instead of grating it, because the bigger pieces hold their own against the hearty leaves.
Here’s my trick for skipping the messy step of massaging the kale: pour the dressing over the leaves and let it sit for 10 minutes while you crisp the bacon. The dressing softens the kale the same way your hands would, with none of the cleanup: same result, less work.
I love experimenting with variations of the classic Caesar salad; its bold flavors work well with lots of different vegetables. Next, try my arugula Caesar with crouton crispies or my kale asparagus Caesar with crispy prosciutto.
Variations to try
Kale Caesar 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. Toasted cashews also taste amazing in this kale caesar salad.
- Meat: Add some shredded baked chicken breast or party shrimp to make this a heartier meal.
What to serve with kale caesar salad
Kale Caesar salad works as a standalone meal, or as a delicious side dish. I love serving it next to my easy lasagna recipe, but it works equally well with other baked pastas.
Enjoy it as a side dish to round out meals, like my buttery baked chicken breasts. It also provides a flavor and texture contrast to creamy soups, like this curried pumpkin soup.
Bacon Kale Caesar Salad with Garlic Parmesan Croutons
Ingredients
The Salad
- 4 strips bacon
- 5 cups curly kale leaves (stems removed and roughly chopped)
- 1 cup homemade croutons (see notes)
- ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese (see notes)
Caesar Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise (try homemade mayonnaise!)
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh is best)
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste (or 2 minced anchovies)
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ 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.½ cup shaved parmesan cheese, ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons anchovy paste, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 pinch sea salt, 1 clove garlic, ½ 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 curly 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.¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Croutons and bacon are always welcome at our table. My boys didn’t fuss much about the kale. Salty & crunchy, I added also spinach, works all well together. Thank you! It is a winner .
Aw, I love hearing that — salty + crunchy is always a win! And I’m so glad the boys didn’t fuss about the kale. Adding spinach is such a great idea, too. Thanks so much for sharing your note! 💛
Absolutely loved this salad! So easy to make, few ingredients but so full of flavours! Definitely Will be doing it frequently.