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Massaged Umami Kale Salad

10 min

Salad

Side

No cook

We use a few techniques to make the kale in this salad shine: washing the chopped kale, to rinse out bitter compounds, massaging, to make the kale tender, pairing with a bold, flavourful dressing, and finally, using a mix of crunchy and sweet mix-in toppings. If you are kale hesitant, we really encourage you to try this salad!

Servings

Total

10 min

Prep

10 min

Contains

Soy symbol

soy

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

Swap out

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Free from

Peanut symbol

peanut

Ingredients

Salad & add-ins

  • 6 cups (150 g)
    kale, chopped
  • 2 tsp (10 mL)
    toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ cup (40 g)
  • 3 Tbsp (27 g)
  • 3 Tbsp (20 g)
    slivered toasted almonds

Dressing

Directions

  1. Wash the kale and dry well*.
  2. Place the kale in a large bowl and massage the sesame oil into the leaves with your hands for 1 - 2 minutes. This helps to soften the stiff leaves.
  3. In a separate small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients.
  4. Pour the dressing over the kale, and toss to coat.
  5. Toss in the add-ins. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Asian sesame paste differs from tahini, offering a richer, more intense flavour. It's made from deeply toasted sesame seeds, unlike tahini's raw or lightly toasted seeds. Find it at your local Asian supermarket.
  • * Washing cut or torn kale leaves help to wash out bitter compounds.

Storage

  • Store the kale and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • If already mixed, best if enjoyed within 1 - 2 days.

Let us know what you think

Nutrition info

Focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. For specific nutrition needs due to a medical condition, consult a dietitian or physician. While we strive to provide accurate nutritional information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. See our disclaimer for details.

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More for the eyes

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Discussion & Rating

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Nour Dukmak - Aug. 11, 2024, 3:57 a.m.

A perfect salad for some garden fresh kale 🥬 😋


Toshita Yuvaraja - July 21, 2024, 4:28 p.m.

It's a lovely easy to make salad!!


Nimisha - July 18, 2024, 9:47 p.m.

This salad is one of the best salads I’ve ever had!! I added in chopped fresh mango and that elevated it even further

PUL small logo PUL Team - July 19, 2024, 3:45 a.m.

Such a big compliment, Nimisha, thank you! 🤗


Laura Deupree - April 16, 2024, 12:25 a.m.

This dressing is SO good, you could put it on anything - but it's lovely on massaged kale. There's some prep in getting the kale salad-ready, so be prepared for it to take longer than you might expect. I doubled the recipe and found that measuring kale by cups is hard - I made a double batch of salad dressing and ended up making a third, single batch to make sure the kale was dressed properly (that it squished when it was fully dressed, but with no extra dressing at the bottom). I had to adjust my dressing as my lemon was quite large - I tasted it before adding to the kale and adjusted with more soy sauce and maple syrup until it was tangy but not puckery.

Again, could eat the dressing on toast. Or a boot.

PUL small logo PUL Team - April 16, 2024, 11:13 p.m.

Hey there, Laura, thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with the massaged kale salad! So glad that the dressing is being enjoyed too ✨


AP - March 27, 2024, 8:49 p.m.

This dressing is bombbb! 🤤 So yum! I added avocado to mine for extra textural variety, but this dressing is outstanding and what makes the salad! Shred the Dino kale as small as possible and really massage in the oil because it otherwise feels like cow ruffage 😅

PUL small logo PUL Team - March 28, 2024, 5:22 a.m.

So glad you enjoyed the salad, AP! 🫶


Sara Cody - March 27, 2024, 5:37 p.m.

So delish!! I used a ready made fruit and nut mix for the topping, which included all of the ingredients in the recipe plus dried apple, coconut flakes, and cashews - YUM


Jessika C - March 3, 2024, 11:13 p.m.

I just made this for a dinner with friends and even my salad hater friends loved it! I made one true to the recipe and one for my gluten free friends and swapped out the soy sauce with coconut aminos. Someone who tried both said she didn't notice a big difference.

PUL small logo PUL Team - March 5, 2024, 1:28 a.m.

Ooo thanks for the tip, Jessika! So glad that the kale salad was enjoyed 😊


Stephanie F - Feb. 2, 2024, 5:42 a.m.

What kind of kale is best to use for this salad? Thanks!

PUL small logo PUL Team - Feb. 2, 2024, 6:27 a.m.

Hey Stephanie, any type of kale works! Curly kale adds texture, while Lacinato, also known as Tuscan or dinosaur kale, offers a smoother texture. We used curly kale, as it's the most accessible for us 🤗


Megan - Jan. 18, 2024, 2:53 a.m.

Delicious!


Joanna Gałecka - Jan. 14, 2024, 1:57 p.m.

Garlicky but delish!


Poiven Capp - Dec. 26, 2023, 2:20 a.m.

I love this recipe!! I converted to massaged kale long ago, and this dressing is killer. I had some leftover pomegranate seeds so I used those instead of craisins. highly recommend this recipe!


Caroline - Dec. 24, 2023, 7:13 p.m.

This is soooo good! I make it at least once a week at the moment, we’re obsessed with the flavour and goodness that’s in it!


karly - Dec. 17, 2023, 7:08 p.m.

Took this to a Christmas party last night and everyone commented how much they loved it and they all wanted the recipe! This is a new go to staple for us!

PUL small logo PUL Team - Dec. 18, 2023, 7:45 a.m.

So excited to hear the kale salad was part of the festivities, Karly, and glad it was enjoyed 😃


plain_old_comet - Dec. 11, 2023, 1:27 a.m.

This was sooo yummy. I made this as a side salad with the kimchi grilled cheese recipe from the app. The flavors go so well together 😍.
(On second thought, hopefully that wasn’t a weird combo 🫠)
Thank you for the recipes :))

PUL small logo PUL Team - Dec. 11, 2023, 3:49 a.m.

Aww so happy that the salad kimchi grilled cheese were enjoyed, friend! 🫶✨


Tessa - Nov. 28, 2023, 12:58 p.m.

The cranberries in this was delicious! Any ideas for protein you would recommend adding to make it a full meal?

PUL small logo PUL Team - Nov. 29, 2023, 1:15 a.m.

Hey Tessa! Grilled tofu, tempeh, or roasted chickpeas are a few ideas 🤗


Romane Q - Nov. 19, 2023, 5:58 p.m.

OMG this is going to be my winter salad. It's so savory.

I tried massaged kale once and it was still really hard to bite. With your picture and additionnal advises, I know that I have to cut it in small pieces if I want to enjoy it.

Made it with friends, we love it.

PUL small logo PUL Team - Nov. 20, 2023, 1:57 a.m.

Oh we’re thrilled to hear, Romane - thank you! We hope you continue to enjoy the massaged kale salad 🥰


Valeria - Nov. 1, 2023, 8:18 p.m.

Loved by everyone in the family. Even by a 2-year-old 😄


Louise - Oct. 6, 2023, 12:56 a.m.

I used a mixed lettuce because kale is not in season and it was absolutely delicious.


Vi - Sept. 7, 2023, 1:36 a.m.

This is my favorite salad, we added some quinoa


Indigo - Aug. 6, 2023, 2:10 a.m.

I slightly altered the recipe to fit what I had and also added some seven-grain vegan "chicken tenders"- and wow- this is the best thing I've tasted in a long time. I love kale but never thought it'd be this good. Thank you for this recipe (and the constant inspiration)!!! <3

PUL small logo PUL Team - Aug. 6, 2023, 10:01 a.m.

Thank you, Indigo, so glad it was enjoyed! :D


Ledour Louise - July 3, 2023, 11:49 a.m.

It’s the first time I had such a lovely time eating kale! It’s very yummy the sauce it’s great and it feels very nourishing and healthy! Thank you! Never thought I’d massage kale haha! Ps: I added blueberries that I had left from the morning blueberries oats and omg! So good!

PUL small logo PUL Team - July 4, 2023, 4:25 a.m.

Aww such a massive compliment, Ledour, thank you! A lovely idea to use blueberries leftover from the oats 🤩


Margaret - July 1, 2023, 8:07 p.m.

Better than I expected!! Definitely a repeat salad recipe!


Qin - June 27, 2023, 5:04 a.m.

I don’t usually have miso paste, is there a way to substitute this? :)

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 27, 2023, 5:31 a.m.

Hey Qin, if you don't have miso paste adding more soy sauce or tamari can add a similar umami flavour. We hope you enjoy the salad if you're able to give it a try 🤗


Lynette P. - June 26, 2023, 3:31 a.m.

This was a quick and delicious salad. As I do not cook with oil, I used the lemon juice from the other half of the lemon to massage the kale.


Susan - June 25, 2023, 12:06 a.m.

Hello! This looks really delicious but the old version of this recipe was my absolute favorite thing on your website and a comfort food I look forward to after a bad day, you wouldn’t happen to have that version available somewhere would you? I’ve made it so many times I want to believe I could recreate from memory, but would love to be able to verify. Eager to try the new version as well, but would be devastated to never be able to eat the older one again.

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 26, 2023, 3 a.m.

Hey there, Susan, aw we're so honoured the recipe is a comfort! If you can kindly send us an email to [email protected] we can share a copy of the original recipe 🤗


Naomi - Jan. 4, 2023, 7:29 p.m.

Wow!
I thought kale was this annoying über healthy veg that no one actually liked but raved about anyway, and today I tried this recipe and this is probably the best salad I've ever eaten!
Blown away :)

PUL small logo PUL Team - Jan. 4, 2023, 10:31 p.m.

Haha a huge compliment, Naomi! Whoop whoop!


Helga - June 10, 2022, 3:44 a.m.

This recipe gave me a new perspective on kale. I don't like dried fruits so I usually put some other veggies as toppings like thinly sliced radishes or carrots which work pretty well with the kale.

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 12, 2022, 11:23 p.m.

Oh, Helga, it means so much! Radishes and carrots also sound incredible 😍


Sonja - April 9, 2022, 8:41 p.m.

I cannot believe how delicious this simple salad was. Will definitely make this one again. Thank you for another great recipe!

PUL small logo PUL Team - April 10, 2022, 11:35 p.m.

So happy to hear, Sonja, thank you!


Adele - Oct. 9, 2021, 1:44 p.m.

Love this!


Maria - July 13, 2021, 1:02 p.m.

This recipe is so good! I often struggle to make a salad that I find to be delicious, but this one is so good! I love the kale in it, which is something I don't normally eat. I also add some roasted tofu to this, just to make it more of a meal :)

PUL small logo PUL Team - July 18, 2021, 12:21 a.m.

Mmm love the additions, Maria, thanks for sharing!


Ellie - July 11, 2021, 12:14 a.m.

Thanks for this recipe. I never knew I wasn’t treating kale right. Cheers!