What dressing goes well with kale chickpea salad?

Lemon tahini dressing works especially well because its creamy, nutty flavor softens kale's earthy bitterness. Meanwhile, lemon adds brightness, and honey adds gentle sweetness.

Does tahini go with kale?

Yes. Tahini has a rich sesame flavor that pairs nicely with kale. Also, its creamy texture coats massaged kale well and gives every bite more body.

What is the best dressing for kale salad?

A dressing with acidity and some richness works very well. Therefore, lemon tahini dressing makes a great choice because lemon brightens the kale while tahini adds creamy nuttiness.

Is lemon tahini dressing healthy?

Lemon tahini dressing can fit into a balanced eating pattern. Tahini provides sesame based fats and other nutrients, while olive oil adds mostly unsaturated fat. However, serving size still matters because both ingredients contain plenty of calories.

Kale Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing : Easy Recipe

Name: Kale Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing : Easy Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean Inspired
Ingredients: 1/2 bunch kale, about 3 cups chopped; 3 Persian cucumbers, diced; 1 can chickpeas, 14 oz/398 ml, drained and rinsed; 1/2 cup Greek feta, crumbled; 2 tbsp finely chopped mint; 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley; 2 tbsp finely chopped dill; Dill fronds and mint leaves, for garnish; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 3 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp tahini; 1 tbsp honey, or more for a sweeter dressing; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper

Description

This easy Kale Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a fresh, satisfying lunch made with tender massaged kale, hearty chickpeas, crisp cucumber, creamy feta, and fresh herbs. A creamy, nutty lemon tahini dressing with a touch of honey balances the kale’s bitterness and brings everything together in just 20 minutes with no cooking required.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

1/2 bunch kale, about 3 cups chopped

3 Persian cucumbers, diced

1 can chickpeas, 14 oz/398 ml, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup Greek feta, crumbled

2 tbsp finely chopped mint

2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

2 tbsp finely chopped dill

Dill fronds and mint leaves, for garnish

Lemon Tahini Dressing:

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp tahini

1 tbsp honey, or more for a sweeter dressing

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, honey, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large serving bowl until smooth and creamy.

2. Remove the tough stems from the kale and chop the leaves into bite size pieces.

3. Rinse the kale under cold water while firmly massaging the leaves with your hands to soften them and reduce bitterness. Drain thoroughly.

4. Add the cucumber, chickpeas, feta, mint, parsley, dill, and kale to the bowl with the dressing.

5. Toss everything until evenly coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

6. Garnish with fresh dill fronds and mint leaves. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Massage the kale thoroughly for a softer, more tender texture and less bitterness.

Lacinato, Tuscan, or dinosaur kale works especially well. You can also substitute another kale variety, romaine, spinach, or arugula.

Persian cucumbers give the salad a crisp texture. You can use an English cucumber instead. For the best texture, peel it and remove some of the watery seeds if needed.

Goat cheese or vegan cheese can replace the feta.

Maple syrup or agave can replace the honey for a vegan version.

For extra protein, add chicken, shrimp, tofu, or your favorite plant based protein.

Optional additions include pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sweet potato, red onion, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, or sesame seeds.

For meal prep, place the dressing at the bottom of individual containers and layer the remaining ingredients above it. Shake before eating.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

If preparing the salad several hours ahead, keep the feta and fresh herbs separate until serving.

Nutrition values are approximate.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Lunch Recipes
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Mediterranean Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 254
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 737 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 9 g
Cholesterol: 11 mg