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a white bowl filled with kale caesar salad with grated parmesan cheese
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5 from 10 votes

The Perfect Kale Caesar Salad

Creamy, garlicky caesar dressing tossed with finely chopped kale, parmesan cheese, and toasted bread crumbs all come together for The Perfect Kale Caesar Salad.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Salad
Servings: 4
Calories: 563kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 2 bunches lacinato kale washed and dried
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground pepper

Dressing

  • 3/4 c mayonnaise
  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • 6 filets anchovy
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp worcestershire
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 c grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat. Give the garlic cloves a smash with the side of a knife then add them to the preheated pan with olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs to the pan and toast until golden brown stirring frequently, about 5 minutes then season with salt. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Discard garlic.
  • Place all of the dressing ingredients into a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.
  • Remove the stems from the kale and chop very finely. Toss the kale with enough dressing to coat. Use your hands to massage the kale with the dressing. Season with black pepper, parmesan cheese, and toss in some of the breadcrumbs.
  • Divide between bowls, top with extra grated parmesan cheese and garlic bread crumbs.

Notes

 
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
  • Lacinato Kale: You can really use any type of kale but Lacinato is my personal favorite.
  • Panko: Any bread crumbs will work just fine! 
  • Mayonnaise: Use your favorite mayo; regular, egg-free or vegan mayo will work in this recipe. 
  • Anchovy Alternatives: 1tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp minced capers or 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce.
  • Lemon Juice: Red wine or sherry vinegar can be substituted for lemon juice.
 
FAQs, and Expert Tips:
  • Why do we "massage" kale? The reason we massage chopped kale with salad dressing is because kale is a very tough and fibrous lettuce. When you massage the kale it breaks down the fibers and tenderizes it making it much softer and more pleasant to eat!
  • What kind of kale is best for kale caesar salad? Lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale, Tuscan kale or cavolo nero, is best for kale caesar salad. It's hearty, wide leaves make it easy to chop and provide plenty of surface area to hold onto creamy dressing.
 
Equipment:
Wooden Salad Bowl | Mini Food Processor | Shop my Kitchen Essentials

Nutrition

Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 21g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 825mg | Potassium: 845mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 13636IU | Vitamin C: 170mg | Calcium: 403mg | Iron: 4mg