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 bitter flavor and the two types of vinegar (apple cider and balsamic) create an irresistible flavor.
I've been told that this is the best kale salad dressing recipe ever. When I used to run an underground restaurant, this was the dressing that I would make when I served a kale salad. Each time, guests would rave about it. Even if you don't think you like kale, try it with this dressing. I bet you'll fall in love.
Why we think this kale salad dressing is the best one ever
- It's sweet. Let's be honest, kale is bitter. It's what most people don't like about it. But all kale needs is a little help from some honey and suddenly that bitterness disappears. It's a little like magic.
- Two types of vinegar. By using both apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar you create an incredible depth of flavor.
- It's creamy. By slowly whisking in the oil (it only takes about a minute) you emulsify the oil and make the dressing creamy.
- We've been told. ← we can't ignore all those rave reviews when talking about why this kale salad dressing is the best.
Watch how easy it is to make this kale salad dressing
Try it on our Roasted Beet and Kale Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts:
More Salad Dressing Recipes for Kale
- Japanese Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing
- Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Best Green Goddess Salad Dressing
- Creamy Sunflower Seed Salad Dressing
- Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
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.
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 tastes good and feels healthy.
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 healthy 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.