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Massaged Kale Salad

Name: Massaged Kale Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 large bunch curly green or red kale, washed and patted dry, tough stems removed (about 5 cups); ¼ tsp. salt; 1 medium apple, thinly sliced; 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced; 1 medium carrot, peeled and julienned or cut into ribbons with a vegetable peeler; 1 cup shredded Brussels sprouts (may substitute with an additional 2 cups kale); ¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries; 3 Tbsp. roasted pumpkin seeds; 2 Tbsp. roasted sunflower seeds; 3 Tbsp. olive oil; 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar; Black pepper to taste; Optional – 1/3 cup feta, goat or parmesan cheese (omit for vegan, dairy-free & Whole30)

W Whole30 EF Egg-Free GF Gluten-free GR Grain-Free VG Vegetarian DF Dairy-Free V Vegan P Paleo

In this massaged kale salad the hearty (and very chewy) kale greens get a rubdown with sea salt to make them sweeter, easier to chew and more digestible. Feel free to use any combination of vegetables, nuts, and seeds you like.

15 mins

4.7 /5

8 Comments

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By: Jessica Beacom Updated: 10/26/22

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Salads aren’t just for summer! This Massaged Kale salad featuring hearty winter veggies will put a little sunshine into even the darkest days.

Kale yeah you can eat salad in the winter!

If you thought salads were only reserved for summer and all its fresh veggie glory, then you haven’t tried a massaged kale salad yet.

I know, I know, kale is hard to chew. I’ll be the first to agree that it’s a serious leafy green that can be a little bitter and takes a long time to chew when it’s served raw. But in this massaged kale salad, the hearty (and very chewy) kale greens get a rubdown with a little sea salt to make them sweeter, easier to chew and more digestible. The massaging part even lets you work out some frustrations and work on those forearms.

Overhead view of 2 hands massaging kale in a glass bowl.

Massaging the kale leaves with a bit of sea salt essentially pre-digests the kale a bit through the application of mechanical force (provided by your hands) and the salt which draws water from the cells of the kale making the kale softer and easier to chew and thus easier to digest. As a rule, if it’s easier to chew (and the more thoroughly you chew), the easier it will be to digest.

Overhead view of a glass bowl filled with Massaged Kale Salad topped with sliced apples, carrots, and dried cranberries.

Winter salads for. the. win.

Not only are winter salads like this massaged kale salad delicious, but they’re also super versatile, economical, and highly nutritious. They’re also really easy to customize with what you’ve got on hand. Leftover roasted beets? Toss ’em in there. Pears? They’re a great substitute for apples. Got cashews but not pepitas? Those will work, too.

Overhead view of a wooden bowl of Massaged Kale Salad topped with sliced carrots, apples, and dried cranberries.

A little of this and a little of that.

For this salad, I used some shredded Brussels spouts to give it a little color and another texture and to use up the last few Brussels sprouts knocking around in my crisper drawer after making this Sweet & Smoky Brussels Slaw that has become a staple in my house. If you don’t have any shredded Brussels (or Brussels to shred), don’t sweat it. You can substitute extra kale for the Brussels and it’s still fabulous.

Remember, the name of this game is to be flexible and use what you have on hand or what you like in this massaged kale salad. I’ll often toss the massaged kale with hemp hearts, halved cherry tomatoes and a generous pinch of freshly grated parmesan for a super easy side dish for grilled meat or fish, or sometimes I stir in a little cooked brown rice or quinoa if I want a heartier side dish.

Overhead view of a plate of Massaged Kale Salad topped with sliced apples and carrots.

Packs well for lunch on the go.

Because kale is such a hearty green this salad holds up well for several days in the fridge even after you’ve dressed it with the olive oil and vinegar, making it perfect for lunchboxes or leftovers.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that will not change your price but will share some commission.

Are you a kale lover? What’s your favorite way to prepare this super healthy green leafy vegetable? Please share in the comments below.

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Jessica Beacom

Jessica is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Boulder, CO with her husband and two daughters. She's been raising backyard chickens for over a decade. When she's not in the kitchen you'll find her mountain biking, gravel cycling, telemark skiing, and camping.