Kale Citrus Salad

This kale citrus salad is delicious, flavorful, tangy, sweet, and so easy to make. It comes together in less than 15 minutes and is made with kale, citrus, almonds, onions, avocado, and jalapeno. Make it for a meal at home or for work the next day!

Kale Citrus Salad

This kale citrus salad is so delicious! If you’re just starting to add more kale to your diet, you’ll love how tasty this salad is. The citrus adds a delicious tanginess to it while the dried cranberry adds some sweetness. The thin slices of jalapeno add a little heat to the salad (be sure to remove the seeds!) while the avocado adds the delicious creamy texture.

This salad is a winner in my books and one I keep coming back to! I also love that it’s vegan, gluten free, and paleo-friendly.

How to Make Kale Citrus Salad

1. I like to start with the dressing. Combine all of the ingredients in a small mason jar and shake until well blended. Alternatively, combine the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well combined. Set aside while you make the salad to give the flavors some time to infuse.
2. Thinly slice the kale. You should have a big pile of shredded kale. Now add to a large mixing bowl and massage with a little olive oil until tender, about 2 minutes. Yep, use your hands! Trust me, it’s worth it.
3. Now it’s time to prepare the salad. Combine the kale, avocado, jalapeno, fruit, almonds, onions, and cranberries in the same bowl you massaged the kale in. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently. Serve immediately. 

Why Massage Kale

When I first started eating kale, I hated it. It was hard to chew and didn’t have much of a taste. That was before I started massaging my kale. Massaging kale was a complete game-changer. It makes the kale so much more flavorful, soft, and easy to enjoy. If you skip this important step, it just won’t taste the same so trust me, you want to massage your kale!

Tips on Making Ahead

If you want to make this kale citrus salad for later, here are some tips:

• Massage the kale without any oil. It still makes the kale tender and easy to enjoy, but will prevent it from getting soggy.
• Store the dressing separately. Add in the dress up to 15 minutes before you’re going to enjoy the salad. You want to avoid getting soggy.
• Don’t add the avocado until you’re ready to enjoy it. If it’s too much of a hassle, skip the avocado entirely.

Boost the Nutrients

What I love about salads is how you can tweak and adjust them based on how you’re feeling and what your body is craving that day. While I love to eat this salad as a light lunch, here are some ways to make it more filling and boost the nutrient-level:

• Chickpeas – add a cup of cooked chickpeas to make this a more filling meal by adding protein
• Quinoa – add a cup of cooked grains! Quinoa is my favorite but you could try any other grain as well.
• Seeds – I love adding hemp seeds to this salad.
• Pistachios – if you’re craving more fat, pistachios make a delicious addition
• Swap out the cranberries with fresh pomegranate seeds or use a mixture of both!

More Delicious Salad Ideas

If you enjoyed this, you’ll love these as well:

• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
• Arugula Persimmon Salad
• Autumn Spinach Salad

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