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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Side Dishes

    Easy Vegan Kale Salad With Tangy Balsamic Dressing (Paleo, Whole30)

    Modified: Mar 5, 2025 · Published: Nov 28, 2016 by Shelby Stover · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest images with text: two images of easy kale salad in a glass bowl with orange peppers

    Whip up this vegan kale salad as a quick lunch or light side dish! Flavorful and easy to throw together this kale salad recipe is topped with a tangy tangy balsamic dressing.

     

    Pinterest image with text: vegan kale salad in a glass bowl with orange peppers

    This kale salad recipe comes together in a pinch when you need it and makes the perfect addition to any table (as do other salads as main meals!)

    Likewise, you can prep it ahead of time for a nutrient-dense lunch or whip up a big batch as a family side dish.

    Topped with both crunchy and sweet items, the kale salad is loaded with healthy fats. And though it does already have seeds and flavor, mix and match your favorite toppings to create a slightly new salad each time!

    • Candied pecans
    • Dried cherries
    • Sunflower seeds
    • Roasted cashews

     

    How To Prep Kale To Make It Less Bitter

    Before you throw this salad together, take the time to prep your kale properly as seed in the video below (and if you have leftovers make something like spicy kale chips).

    One of the common complaints I get as a Certified Nutrition Coach, is about the natural taste of kale- it’s bitter! Massaging it with olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt helps remove the bitterness.

    However, you need to make sure you’re massing the kale until the leaves turn from a dull green to a bright green. That’s when your kale is prepped.

    Not only does this remove the bitterness from the kale but it also ensures the kale lasts longer in the fridge.

     

    Can You Eat Kale Raw?

    Of course! Kale is a leafy green and thus it can be eaten raw.

    And it's not just a summer vegetable! Whipping up a winter harvest pasta recipe (go with chickpea noodles to make it gluten-free!) is a great way to enjoy it too.

    However, it is a cruciferous vegetable. If you’re not used to eating cruciferous veggies may notice some gas. This is your body learning to break it down. Give this crispy kale- air fryer recipe a go to start just weaning into it.

     

    Kale Salad Dressing

    This vegan kale salad recipe is topped with a tangy balsamic dressing. Made with only three ingredients this salad dressing is on the tangy side.

    Meaning, you definitely don’t need a lot of the salad dressing for maximum flavor.

    However, this vegan kale salad is tasty with any salad dressing (I have a tahini maple one I love to pair it with). This roundup of Lebanese side dishes also has some really delicious salad dressing ideas.

    So, use what you’ve got on hand, and don’t be afraid to switch it up!

     

    Protein Choices

    Your protein for this kale salad depends on what you want the salad for! If using the salad as a side dish, no protein is needed (it's delicious on the side of bacon-wrapped cod!).

    However, if you’re planning to make this easy kale salad as a full-on meal, you may want to add something to it.

    Furthermore, this kale salad tastes delicious with:

    • Quinoa (though this voids the paleo and whole30 approvals)
    • Roasted tofu
    • Pan-fried tempeh

    Likewise, it’s also tasty with non-vegan protein like a hardboiled egg, leftover chicken, or steak.

     

    FAQ’s And Substitutions

    Everything can be interchanged in this recipe. Use different dried fruits in place of the cranberry and blueberry for a new flavor.

    Likewise, adding in some nuts gives a great crunch.

    And of course, interchanging the kale salad dressing is alright too (so long as it meets your diet prerequisites)

    The kale salad holds in the fridge with the dressing for 1-2 days. Without the dressing, the salad lasts 4-5.

     

     

    Dinner doesn’t have to be chaotic—this eBook gives you 20+ protein-packed meals ready in 30 minutes or less (even when the day’s already gone sideways)

    E-book cover image of streak fajitas with text about dinner recipes made in under thirty minutes.
    👉 Give Me Dinner in Under 30 Minutes
    Featured image: vegan kale salad in a glass bowl with orange peppers

    Easy Kale Salad

    Shelby Stover
    Whip up this vegan kale salad as a quick lunch or light side dish! Flavorful and easy to throw together this kale salad recipe is topped with a tangy cranberry balsamic dressing.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 399 kcal

    Video

    Equipment

    • Salad bowl

    Ingredients
      

    Salad:

    • 4 cups kale prepped
    • 1 bell pepper chopped
    • ½ cucumber sliced
    • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
    • ¼ cup dried cranberries
    • ⅛ cup hemp hearts

    Dressing:

    • 2 tbs olive oil
    • 1.5 tbs balsamic vinegar
    • ½ tbs honey mustard

    Instructions
     

    • Place all salad ingredients into a bowl.
      Kale in a glass bowl with salad ingredients in measuring cups beside it
    • Combine all dressing ingredients in a small dish and whisk them together
    • Pour the dressing over salad just before serving.
      Dressing in a measuring cup beside a vegan kale salad

    Notes

    • Just about anything can be interchanged in this recipe. Use different dried fruits in place of the cranberry and blueberry for a new flavor.
    • Likewise, adding in some nuts gives a great crunch.
    • And of course, interchanging the kale salad dressing is alright too (so long as it meets your diet prerequisites)
    • The kale salad holds in the fridge with the dressing for 1-2 days. Without the dressing, the salad lasts 4-5.
    Disclaimer:

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"

    Nutrition

    Calories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 14gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 78mgPotassium: 970mgFiber: 3gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 15370IUVitamin C: 239mgCalcium: 242mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword kale salad, vegan
    Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

    A super simple side dish to whip up in a pinch!

    This kale salad works next to a larger part of a meal or as a nutrient-dense lunch option the next day. Thus, boost your nutrients and eat for color with this easy salad recipe!

    More Gluten-Free Side Dishes

    • Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping in a glass baking dish with a spoon in the dish.
      Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole
    • White plate with zucchini carrot salad in it with cherry tomatoes.
      Raw Carrot Zucchini Salad
    • Pinterest image with text: Spinach salad with pecans in a white bowl with another bowl of salad behind it and pecans on the table
      Gluten-Free Spinach Salad
    • Glass bowl with macaroni salad in it with celery and red peppers and apple slices and an orange linen behind it
      Easy Dairy-Free Macaroni Salad

    Comments

    1. Shelby S says

      July 05, 2025 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      Such a classic and so easy to use for dinner or as a side dish!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Recipe Rating




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    I'm Shelby, a Certified Strength & Nutrition Coach who has spent the last 10 years helping women feel more comfortable in their skin though home strength training and healthy food- no diets, no shortcuts

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