Massaged Kale Salad

The best ever lemon and olive oil massaged Kale Salad with parmesan and toasted breadcrumbs. This salad has everything I desire in good tasty Kale Salad. Travels well, tastes even better the next day!

Posted On: Jun, 30 |  Author:
Make once, eat multiple times in week!
Massaged Kale Salad
Diet Info: DF GF F LF Na LS VG V Fa

Massaged Kale Salad recipe with Tuscan Kale leaves massaged in lemony olive oil and garlic dressing, topped with shredded parmesan cheese and crunchy toasted breadcrumbs. A restaurant quality yet quick and easy Kale Salad that you can make at moment’s notice. Healthy and nutritious!

Massaging kale leaves in olive oil and lemon dressing improves kale’s texture. In few minutes kale leaves get tender, almost melt in mouth. Plus the flavor of sharp summer lemons and hint of garlic make kale very delicious. Top this with crunchy breadcrumbs (my favorite) and rich parmesan cheese. It is a Kale Salad worth craving for.

Massaged Kale Salad with Parmesan

I make it every weekend! It is clean, simple and mighty yum salad.

What Do You Need To Make Massaged Kale Salad?

Simply put, the Kale Salad recipe ingredients are easy to find pantry-fridge staples.

Here is what you need to make this salad:

  1. Kale 
  2. Lemon
  3. Olive Oil
  4. Garlic
  5. Parmesan
  6. Panko
  7. Salt and Pepper

That’s It! A few simple ingredients and magic of massage leaves to make a humble yet super delicious Kale Salad.

Massage Kale Leaves

Massaged kale is the key to make a good kale salad. I make sure to first make the dressing. Coat chopped kale leaves in the dressing and then gently massage leaves in palm of your hand a few times.

Massage Kale

Use gently stroke without bruising the kale leaves.

Kale is massaged when no leaves look dry and kale leaves are shining.

It is important to let massaged kale rest for 10-15 minutes before serving so that kale gets time to soak lemon dressing and leaves become tender.

Once kale is massaged and marinated, the rest of steps to make salad are very easy. While kale rest in the dressing, I toast panko breadcrumbs in until light toasted and brown. Mix in parsley when cooled completely.

Making Massaged Kale Salad 

That’s it. Top kale with toasted breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese. Massaged Kale Salad is ready to devour.

Make Ahead

Massaged Kale is perfect to make ahead. In-fact it tastes even better the next day. Kale leaves are more tender and soak in all dressing. 

I only recommend that when making ahead add toasted breadcrumbs just before serving.

Massaged Kale Salad

Friends, a delicious and healthy salad like this massaged kale salad is just a 15 minute away from dinner table. Bring home some kale and try this nutrition power house salad with dinner tonight. I’m sure you will love the flavors.

Pairing Ideas:

Shrimp Piccata Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Chicken Marbella

Massaged Kale Salad

5 (5 reviews)
Massaged Kale Salad
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Cuisine: Italian () Difficulty: Easy
Yields: Large Salad Platter - Serves: 8

Ingredients

Salad
Dressing

Directions

  • 1. Make Dressing:  In a large mixing bowl, add all dressing ingredients including zest of lemon. Whisk to emulsify olive oil with lemon juice and make sure salt is dissolved. Set aside.
  • 2. Massage Kale Leaves:  Wash and tear leaves of kale into bite size pieces. (Discard hard stems.) Add kale to bowl with dressing. Toss of cover kale leaves in dressing. Gently rub kale leaves coated in dressing in palms of your hand. Make sure all leaves get a coat of dressing. For better flavor, set aside for 15 minutes.
  • 3. Toast Breadcrumbs:  Heat a dry skillet. Add panko bread crumbs and toast until slightly brown and toasted. 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye. Don't let crumbs burn. Once toasted, remove in a small bowl and set aside to cool down.
  • 4. Assemble Kale Salad :  Mix breadcrumbs with parsley. Transfer massaged kale to a salad platter/bowl. Top with toasted breadcrumbs, grated and cheese. Serve as desired. See Note 3 to make ahead.
Savita's Notes:
  1. Massage Kale: Kale will soak all the dressing.
  2. When making ahead, add toasted breadcrumbs just before serving for better crunch.
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9 Responses

  1. This was such a delicious kale salad! Massaging it really makes such a difference!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Indeed. It makes kale so much tender and packed with lemony flavor. So goood! Must try.
  2. Absolutely delicious dish; thank you for this fantastic recipe! I will make it again!!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks for feedback. I'm happy to share.
  3. The breadcrumbs were a great addition to this salad. Kale gets a bad wrap, but I love it!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    We are a family of Kale lovers. I wonder who does not like Kale?!
  4. I’m surprised how well parmesan goes with the kale.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Truly! Parmesan makes Kale extra delicious.
  5. I love how easy and delicious it is!! Such an amazing salad!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★