Fully Loaded Kale Salad (2024)

by Kathy Patalsky · updated: · published: · About 5 minutes to read this article. Leave a Comment

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (1)
Zesty-sweet tahini dressing gently coats the perky, curly shreds of fresh, raw, dark green kale leaves. Each tender fluffy forkful is clustered with complex flavors and kale textures. Salty-sweet with a hint of bitter. The kale is tender yet chewy - even a tad crunchy. Flavor-infused leaves. So happy to share with you my Fully Loaded Kale Salad - it is one of my favorite go-to recipes.

But I lied. The salad shown is not really fully loaded. At least by my twisted standards. Yes, it contains a nice range of colorful toppings, but by "Kathy Salad" terms - this one is barely even loaded...

To attain "fully loaded" status I would really need to add the following..

Smoky maple tempeh cubes, black olives, sliced roasted peppers, shredded carrots, raw or sauteed mushrooms, chopped spinach blended in, a dollop of mashed cheezy-garlicky-hemp potatoes or maple sweet potatoes, perhaps a few homemade croutons and maybe an extra drizzle of buttery macadamia nut oil..

..Oh and nuts. Maybe a few nuts sprinkled over top. Sliced almonds. Or pecans. Or maybe just some pepitas. And a layer of seasonal fruit. Mangoes. Peaches. More citrus. Or perhaps some sliced pear. But pears go well with walnuts, so I'll need to change the nut component. Sprinkle of nutritional yeast for the walnuts. Vegenaise. I need some sprouted grain toast with a slathering of Vegenaise on the side. Or maybe just more seeds for crunch. Hmm.

Hello my name is Kathy, and I'm an "as many salad toppings as possible" addict.

OK, OK.. toppings are fun. But this salad is really all about that healthy, tender, glorious kale. Lets continue..

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (2)

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (3)

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (4)

Raw Kale Salads have become quite trendy the past year.
Actually kale in general has stepped into the limelight. But over are the days when "kale" meant you were serving up steamed or wilted dark leaves doused in olive oil, lemon, cider vinegar and chopped garlic (although that is quite tasty as well). But we like is raw now. Raw leaves, lots of chew, crunch, texture.

Kale is seductive. With its shifty curled leaves and sturdy green stalks, it can hold its own to other spotlight greens like spinach, chard and arugula. Kale has one thing that those wilty greens don't have: body.

oh-so-trendy, full-bodied, charismatic kale..
Fully Loaded Kale Salad (5)

And in the texture sense, kale is a lot like cabbage. A robust green with a longer in-bowl life than most. However, kale is much more nutrient-dense than most cabbages simply because of those dark leafy green leaves.

Healthy Kale. Kale is rich in fiber and potassium. It is prized for its nutrients: calcium, vitamins C, K & A, iron, manganese and more.

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (6)

The Toppings. Yes, it is possible to make a kale salad delicious with only a few toppings. Actually, just the kale and the dressing would make this quite cravable. Raw crunchy, tender kale tossed in a homemade tahini dressing. I love this dressing because it has few ingredients. The seasoned rice vinegar adds really all the sweetness you will need. Each dark green leaf of kale coated in bitter-sweet dressing zestiness. And then come the toppings. Here's my (sort've) fully loaded Kale Salad.

And ps my husband loves this raw kale tahini salad - or any raw kale salad really. Shocking to me. But he loves them. Loves them. Totally picky eater (and picky husband) approved..

I hope I've sold you on raw kale (if you aren't already a fan). And if you can add a few kale salads a week to your family's diet - good for you! This beautiful, flavorful salad is your ticket to kale bliss.

Kathy's Fully Loaded Kale Salad
vegan, served 2-3 entree portions

1 large bunch of kale (any variety) - remove thick stems/shred leaves by hand

Toppings (as shown - but you can add your faves):
2-3 tablespoon hemp seeds
2-3 tablespoon raw sunflower seeds
½ cup apple, sliced
½ avocado, diced/tossed in lemon juice
handful of cherry tomatoes, diced
½ cup juice-packed mandarin oranges
1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
fine black pepper

Dressing:
2 ½ tablespoon tahini
3 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1-2 teaspoon healthy oil (I used macadamia nut oil - grape seed oil also nice)
1 teaspoon grade B maple syrup (optional - if you need extra sweetness to balance the bitterness of tahini)

To make:

1.Wash your kale, dry well. Pull tender leaves from thick lower stems. Shred leaves by hand. Add to large mixing bowl. Discard thick stems.
2. Briskly mix together the dressing ingredients. Do a taste test and adjust as desired for your tastes. You can always add in more maple syrup if your tahini is too bitter. I also like to add in an extra splash of apple cider vinegar when I'm craving a very zesty salad.
3. Toss your kale salad in your dressing. I use salad tongs instead of my hands (some will massage the kale) I actually like my kale a tad al dente (not overly marinated with dressing) so I simply toss with tongs until the dressing is evenly distributed.
4. Fold in the hemp seeds and sunflower seeds.
5. Add the remaining toppings in a lovely pattern on top.
Serve!

This salad will also do well in the fridge for a few hours - or even set out at a party or potluck. If not eating right away I'd use a tad less dressing - or add another ½ bunch of kale.

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (7)

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (8)

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (9)

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (14)

About Kathy Patalsky

Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

Fully Loaded Kale Salad (2024)

FAQs

What is the kale crunch at Chick-fil-A? ›

The larger serving of the Kale Crunch Side is available at participating restaurants nationwide starting April 3, 2023, while supplies last. Each salad is prepared fresh daily and features kale and green cabbage tossed with an Apple Dijon Dressing and includes a package of roasted almonds for an optional topping.

Can you eat kale raw in a salad? ›

Often labeled as a superfood, kale is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. This leafy green comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and textures. It's often eaten raw in salads and smoothies but can also be enjoyed steamed, sautéed, boiled, or baked.

How to make kale more digestible? ›

Massage your kale — or otherwise change its texture

“This enhances nutrient absorption and helps break down the dense fibers.” So you will likely experience less bloating or stomach distention after massaging it.

What to use kale for? ›

You can also turn kale into pesto, fold it into macaroni and cheese, and stuff pasta shells with it. Here are some of our favorite ways to use kale in soups, salads, sides, pastas, and main dishes.

What's the healthiest thing to eat at Chick-fil-A? ›

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

If you want to keep things healthy while ordering at Chick-fil-A, one trick is to “go grilled.” “It's made with a boneless breast of chicken, marinated in a blend of seasonings and grilled for a tender and juicy backyard-grilled taste,” said Mohr.

Is the kale crunch salad healthy? ›

Both kale and cabbage are jam-packed with important nutrients like vitamin K, folate, calcium and vitamin C. I always try to get a handful of leafy greens on my plate everyday and this kale crunch salad is a go-to. Shareable. Bring this salad to parties, potlucks or holiday gatherings.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating kale? ›

Let's start with digestive issues. Kale is loaded with soluble fiber that can cause nausea and insoluble fiber that can cause diarrhea. It also belongs to a complex sugar family — called the raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) — that can cause bloating.

What does kale do to your gut? ›

Kale contains a type of sugar called sulfoquinovose, which feeds the good bacteria living in your gut. These good bacteria are important for your digestion and help keep down levels of harmful bacteria. This is important because high levels of bad bacteria can lead to diarrhea and malnutrition.

Does kale cause bloating and gas? ›

Kale, broccoli, and cabbage are cruciferous vegetables and contain raffinose, a sugar that produces gas and makes you bloat. 2 However, eating them more often may help in the long run.

What organ is kale good for? ›

Various nutrients in kale may support heart health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends increasing the intake of potassium while reducing the consumption of added salt, or sodium. This can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

What meat goes well with kale? ›

Kale goes well with a variety of ingredients, both sweet and savoury. Some popular options include: Meat: Kale pairs well with meats such as bacon, chicken, sausage, and pork.

Which is healthier spinach or kale? ›

"However, if you are looking for a food that is particularly high in fiber, vitamins K and C, kale is a better choice," she said. "If you are looking for a food that is particularly high in folate and a source of iron, and vitamins A and E, then spinach is a better choice."

Did Chick-fil-A get rid of kale crunch salad? ›

“At Chick-fil-A, our guests come first. Based on feedback, we have decided not to proceed with removing our side salad from the menu,” Chick-fil-A Inc. told Southern Living in a statement. “We will continue serving the item at participating restaurant locations and hope customers continue to enjoy this menu offering.”

Is the Chick Fil A kale Crunch salad vegan? ›

Curly kale, green cabbage, roasted almonds and apple cider-Dijon mustard vinaigrette make a nutritious alternative to fries. It's vegan as is but know that the Kale Crunch's dressing is different from the packets of Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette—the latter includes honey, so it isn't vegan-friendly.

What is a kale crunch side? ›

A blend of Curly Kale and Green Cabbage tossed with an Apple Cider and Dijon Mustard vinaigrette, all topped off with salted, crunchy Roasted Almonds.

Is Chick-fil-A kale crunch keto friendly? ›

One of the keto-friendly sides at Chick-Fil-A is the kale crunch salad, and it is a great side for one of the grilled sandwiches or nuggets. This salad comes with a blend of kale and green cabbage, topped with salted, crunchy almonds.

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