Looking for a simple side salad that never fails to impress and almost always compliments the main star? Look no further than this Everyday Simple Kale Salad. 

Simply toss kale, fresh lemon juice, and croutons together and BAM you have a killer salad that’s great for almost any protein. Nick and I eat this at least once a week – with salmon, with chicken tenders, with steak. You name it.

The secret to all kale salads – MASSAGE it. Yep. Use a dash of salt and clean hands/gloves and rub the kale together for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute before adding toppings and dressing. It’s a game changer. There is still crunch but it’s way less rough on your throat and your digestive system. Plus, I think it tastes better and looks more appetizing!

Whip this baby out for your next meal and let me know what you paired it with!

Side note – If you grew up in Marin County California than you know about Sol Food. It’s a staple of the community – Puerto Rican food owned by a local woman – with delicious hot sauces and salad dressings. Their simple salad uses a Lemon-Garlic Dressing that boasts only 4 ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. Now I am a big fan, but I will admit I don’t LOVE salads with a ton of oil. Why turn a healthy thing into a calorie juggernaut? Enter this – simply use lemon juice! Genius… I know… 

INGREDIENTS

1-2 bunches dino kale

1 slice GF bread

½ cup parmesan

2-3 cloves garlic

2 lemons

1 tbsp. olive oil

salt & pepper

Serving Size: 2-4 

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Cube bread and toss with minced garlic, ¼ cup of parmesan, 1 tbsp. olive oil, salt & pepper. Place on parchment paper-lined sheet pan and bake for 15 mins.
• While the croutons bake, de-stem and chop dino kale.
• In a salad bowl, massage the kale with your hands with a dash of salt until soft, smooth, and slightly wilted.
• Juice the lemons straight onto the kale and let soak for 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle kale with salt & pepper.
• When croutons are crispy, toss them into the salad.
• Top with the remaining parmesan and enjoy!