BEST Kale Salad Dressing
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This is the very BEST kale salad dressing recipe ever. I know that is a big claim, but I’ve been told it so many times and by so many people that it must be true. The honey helps balance kale’s bitterness, and the two vinegars (apple cider and balsamic) create an irresistible flavor.
I’ve been told more times than I can count that this is the best kale salad dressing ever. Back when I ran an underground restaurant, this was the dressing I used whenever kale salad was on the menu—and every single time, people raved about it. Even guests who swore they didn’t like kale changed their minds after one bite. If you’ve been on the fence about kale, this dressing might just be the thing that wins you over.
What makes it so good is how it balances kale’s natural bitterness. A little honey works wonders, softening those sharp edges and making everything taste just right. I use two kinds of vinegar—apple cider and balsamic—to create depth and complexity, and slowly whisk in the oil so the dressing turns creamy and emulsified. And honestly, I don’t just think it’s the best because it’s mine—I think it’s the best because I’ve been told so again and again, and those rave reviews are hard to ignore.
Try it on my Roasted Beet and Kale Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts (pictured above)
BEST Kale Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup honey (use maple syrup for vegan)
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic (grated on a Microplane or very finely minced)
- A pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a 2-cup mason jar.½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup honey, 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 2 cloves garlic, A pinch of sea salt
- Shake well until the ingredients are mixed together and the dressing is creamy.
Last step:
- After you make this recipe, take a picture with your phone and share it in the comments section below. I love seeing it when you make my recipes!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
My six year olds will eat a bowl of kale bc of this dressing! It’s magic! Everyone who I’ve made it for have raves about how tasty it is! I’ve made it with both honey and the maple syrup in a pinch and it’s not mapley at all. A year into using this recipe and it’s still my go to. SO GOOD!
This is the best dressing ever. So versatile. It is our go-to dressing for all kinds of salads. I use much less honey (more like 1 TBS) and it is still plenty sweet. I also add juice from 1 lemon just because I like the little bit of sharpness it gives. This is definitely a winner!
Loved this! I added in mayo to make it creamier for our kale slaw. This one is a keeper
This was incredible! I had this atop my kale salad, made with shredded carrots, broccoli, dried cranberries, and lots of nuts. Thank you so much!
I am obsessed with this dressing
The dressing is delicious. Perfect for my kale salad recipe: dried cranberries, pumpkin seed, red onions, grated carrots. Kale massaged 5 min in olive oil. Assembled salad and topped it w your dressing. Recommend only massaging kale first. Prep add-ons. Only when ready to eat is everything combine.
This is a delicious recipe. All of our guests LOVE this dressing on any salad that I make.
This is the only way I’ve EVER been able to eat kale.
It’s amazing!
Thank you so much for the recipe.
Wow! This dressing is surprisingly delicious … I’ve never been a fan of kale salads, but this dressing makes a kale salad down right enjoyable … and THAT is a surprise
Made this exactly per the recipe, using maple syrup as I had no honey. It was delicious and really complimented the slight bitterness of the kale. The emulsion didn’t last like a proper vinaigrette but shaking the jar kept it together long enough. Really good!
Easy and very tasty
Easy and delicious! This is my go to dressing.
So easy yet so tasty! I used it on a Kale Salad mix which I bought, and the whole family loved it!
I also tried it on some homemade coleslaw (napa cabbage, carrots, red onion), and it was equally delicious!
Thanks for such a great (yet simple) recipe!
Excellent! Don’t forget to massage the kale thoroughly before adding other ingredients – crushing the leaves in your hands somehow magically removes the bitterness!
This dressing to crazy amazing….thank you so much!!!
Great recipe, I enjoy it very much in my ? salad. Thank you .
Incredible and perfect mix of flavor. I was searching for a great kale dressing that didn’t rely on cheese as part of the recipe and this recipe popped up. I made the dressing and combined it with two bunches of kale. That is a great thing about kale and this recipe, you can make it and you have delicious salad ready to go for the same day or a couple days. I ate it as a solo lunch salad and also as a base with buffalo chicken tenders on top, so it has a lot of flexibility to stand on it’s own or pair with other tasty foods. Great work and thank you for sharing!
Also, I was happy to see both apple cider and balsamic vinegar together, I’ve thought about how to combine them for a while but wasn’t sure what proportions to use.