A simple summer salad you can whip up in no time. By massaging the kale, you can turn anyone into a kale lover, along with giving them the fresh nutrition of summer veggies all flavored with simple lemon juice!
I've been meaning to actually write down and photograph this recipe since I started my blog! I've been making it for years and it has become a family classic. This was actually the dish I used to first introduce my family to kale. Specifically, my mom fell in love with it! But the secret I've learned to get anyone to love kale is to massage it! You MUST massage raw kale! That's how you get the bitter/harsh taste away and you get in all the flavors you, in! Plus it releases all the nutrients and makes it softer (easier to chew) too!
Really, the art of making a kale salad (and getting requests from picky family members to make it again and again), is to massage the kale and massage in the flavor, then letting it "marinate" in the fridge before serving it! Besides that (which you need your hands for! But the Pump 'N Clean will keep things neat and tidy!), you just need to chop up the other veggies and juice a lemon! Bam! You will have the perfect summer side salad in no time!
Summer Kale Salad
Summer Kale Salad
A simple summer salad you can whip up in no time. By massaging the kale, you can turn anyone in to a kale lover, along with giving them the fresh nutrition of summer veggies all flavored with simple lemon juice!
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Side Dish, Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 Heaping Cups of Torn Curly Kale
- 1 Large Zucchini (sliced and halved)
- 1 Large Vine Ripe Tomato (chopped)
- 1 ½ Cups Snow Peas (chopped)
- 2 Scallions (green and white parts, chopped)
- Zest of 1 Small Lemon
- Juice of 1 Small Lemon
- 2 TB Chopped Fresh Parsley
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare all you veggies and set aside. Then in a very large bowl add the kale, lemon zest and juice, garlic, onion, and pepper. Massage that baby till those flavors are in the kale and the kale turns a darker color. You'll know when it's good!
- Now add in all the other veggies, give everything another toss until everything is mingled. The refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours until serving!
This is one of those salads that keeps on giving too! You think you ate a ton of it, but there is still more in the container! I guess it really makes it perfect for those summer parties and cook-outs! All hail the kale! I assure you, even non-kale lovers will love this super healthy salad!
So tell me:
+ Are you a kale lover or kale hater? Kale rocks, and it has become my go-to dish to bring to parties of all kinds! Even in the winter with this version!
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kimmythevegan
Nothing beats a massaged, marinated kale salad! It's one of my all time favourite staples =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! A staple for sure!
Deborah Davis
What's summer without great salads and Who can resist this healthy, delectable dish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So right!
Deborah Davis
What's summer without salad and who can resist this delectable lemon-y kale salad! I'm pinning and sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So true!
Karen Patten
Massaging! That's the trick. I love kale salads that I eat out, but can't seem to replicate them at home. You're the second person that's advised massaging the kale. You're significantly more credible than my last recommendation 🙂 I'll give it a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha, it will make all the difference 😉
Jennifer Stewart
I never really ate kale and I know now that people that were making the salads and serving them were not massaging it enough! I have started using kale and cooking it down but I think I am going to try this salad! I'm Paleo right now so this is perfect!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! No need to always cook it! You can enjoy it raw just my really getting your hands dirty 😉
Stephanie
Perfect Summer salad!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Elise @frugalfarmwife.com
Looks so yummy! I've always cooked kale because of the tough texture of raw kale. Guess I"ll have to try massaging it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right! You can still enjoy it raw!
David @ Spiced
What an awesome (and easy) recipe...perfect for summer! Bring on the kale! Thanks for sharing. #client
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Gotta love kale!
Marla
Hi Rebecca,
I love this salad recipe especially adding the snow peas. I also like your review on the green cleaning product - its good to know that they are actually making some toxic free cleaning products. I prefer to make my own but not every does.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Haha, buying is so much easier 😉
Angie
Hi Rebecca! I love your summer kale salad. In fact, kale is probably the one vegetable I grow the most in my garden, so I'm looking forward to trying this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Cristina @ I Say Nomato
This is such a beautiful, fresh salad! I've never heard of massaging kale, I'm going to have to look into it further!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! There's not much else to look into....? You're just making the hard leaves softer and releasing the nutrients for easier absorption.
Kate Thompson
Love the massaging idea! We love Kale and it is so good for you. It is one of the veggies most likely to contain high levels of pesticides so good washing is important. Thanks for linking up! #freefromfridays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, totally right! Thanks dear!
Angela @ Setting My Intention
I love kale! I love it with a peanut sauce. So yummy! I haven't convinced my kids of it - but may try kale chips with them to get started! Visiting from Let's Get Real Friday Link Party.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That sounds like a great combo!
You may get them with some cheezy kale chips!
Wheelie Good Meals
This is another great post with an ingredient I've never used like Quinoa. My mother is a big fan of Kale so I'm going to have to give it a go! #BrilliantBlogPosts
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You'll love it!
K's Mum
love salad! should definitely give this a try! 🙂 #brilliantblogposts
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Thanks!
HonestMum
Wow delicious, I've not thought of eating kale raw, brilliant!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Kathy
Visiting from the Recipe Swap. Thank you for sharing this awesome Kale Salad with us.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Carly aka Mummy
I must admit Im not a massive fan of kale but having recently started a ketogenic diet I really need to fill up more on dark green veg. This looks perfect. #tastytuesdays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you give this a try then!
Sue
I have never heard of 'massaging' kale - you really can learn something new every day. The recipe looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a must!
Rachel Pattison (Little Chef Big Appetite)
I totally agree! Massaging the kale is key! And this recipe looks like a winner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! And thank you!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
I always wondered why kale was so popular in salads, but didn't realize the key was to massage it. Learn something knew every day 🙂 And I'll have to pick up some of that cleaner - I love to cook, but the kitchen looks like a bomb went off when I'm done. Anything to help clean everything quickly (and safely, without harsh chemicals) would be perfect for me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! The secret to a good salad really is the massage!
Hahahaha 😉 I try to clean as I go so having something easy and safe to use is a must!
Annmarie
I'm all about kale salads lately! I think I've eaten one every day for the last week! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's dedication 😉
Debra @ Worth Cooking
I keep seeing "massaged kale" but this is the first time I have read why you do it. I love the bright vibrant color of kale but have only ever cooked it because I don't like it raw but have not tried massaging it.
As for the answer to your question, I used to make almost all my cleaners but now I just buy natural ones. So much easier!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, yes , yes!! You will be eating it raw (but massaged) all the time now! It makes all the difference!
Homemade is always awesome, but yea, I don't have time for that 😉
Vicki Montague - The Free From Fairy
Ooo that looks good. I have never massaged kale before and since a huge bag of it just arrived with the shopping I shall be trying this out! Thanks.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! This is the way to go!
Sarah James
Your Kale salad looks delicious, thanks for sharing the tip for massaging the leaves. Popping over from #TastyTuesdays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Shannon Peterson
Yum! This sounds like the perfect crisp summer salad!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It totally is!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
I love kale salads, my husband not so much. Maybe this one will convince him!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think it will 😉
Kristy @ Southern In Law
You have me craaaaaaaaaaving summer! Here I am eating soup, trying to keep warm haha
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well you can have soup AND salad 😉
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
I love kale and I try to buy environmentally friendly household products whenever I can.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
I love massaging kale! I know so many kale haters but I am definitely not one of them. I buy cleaning products if I have to, but I find that soap and water or vinegar usually does the trick. Happy Monday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Kale lovers unite!
Megan @ Skinny Fitlaicious
I eat kale daily. I just started this year & OMG I have no idea how I lived my life without it. Love the new Clorox Green Works. Just bought some myself a few weeks ago. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We should all have some kale in out lives 😉
Woohoo for Green Works!
Healing Tomato
I had no idea that you need to massage kale. I have to try this method. This is such a wonderful recipe for kale salad.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes!! It's so much better! Thanks dear!
Amy @ Happy Healthy RD
I love kale! I had a similar experience with introducing kale to my family and since I told them about massaging it, they always now joke about my kale salads being so relaxed. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha 😉 But it's the truth and the only way to make a good kale salad!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
I never thought about having to clean a kitchen so vigilantly due to celiac! I have life threatening allergies as well (peanuts, soy), but I guess I have been lucky enough to always live where people understand that. My husband doesn't care enough about peanuts to keep them around, so our house is peanut free, and my mom always kept a peanut free kitchen-- and I had thoughtful roommate who, if they kept it at all, kept is away from the kitchen-- mostly, they switched to AB with me 🙂
This salad looks like exactly what I've been craving all summer-- lots of freshness. I love that you use just lemon juice and spices/herbs to flavor it-- I have been using mainly lemon and lime juice, olive oil, and tiny bits of vinegar this summer-- the citrus is where it's at! Sharing 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Celiac is just as severe as an allergy and in the long term, cross contamination can cause deadly results.
Citrus or some vinegar (just a little acid) is always the best! Let the veggies shine!
chrysta @ noshed
I love kale and can always use more in my life. I have recipes like that too...I've made them for so long but never really wrote them down. Im so glad you did so with this salad as it looks awesome! I was totally diggin the review too! Personally I always use natural cleaners in the house (not to mention I at Target a ridiculous amount) So great to know! Thanks so much!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much!!! Those random recipes you always make that just seem so ordinary, are some of the best!
I want to switch to all natural cleaners, slowly, hopefully, I can do that fully!
Evolve with Mary
I'm a Kale lover but everyone else in my family aren't big fans. No matter how I present it to them they find the kale, complain about the kale, ridicule the kale, and then they don't eat the kale. I never knew massaging Kale changes the color and texture of this delicious Super Food. Can't wait to try this salad for myself.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can eat this bad boy all yourself then 😉 There will be a lot though!
Harriet Emily
I love a kale salad!! This looks so delicious, and I love that you massaged the kale and added zucchini - mmmm!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The veggies in this are so random I feel, but I guess that's what I had on hand when I made this years ago! Hahaha!
Laura O
I'd never heard of massaging kale! I know that freezing it for smoothies takes away some of the bitterness, but I'm glad to know this new trick.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
To eat it raw as a salad green, massaging is so essential!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?!
I love kale but I'm always hesitant to use it in salads since the whole family doesn't love it - this looks great! And I like the look of the Green Works cleaner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally massage it! It's so much more enjoyable!!! Thanks Cynthia!
Kelly @ TastingPage
I love natural cleaners AND kale. That's a winning combination!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, you bet 😉
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
This kale salad looks so fresh, delish and so healthy! YUMMY!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally healthy! Thanks dear!
Lisa @ RunWiki
I love a simple farm fresh salad dressed with lemon juice and salt and pep! It really lets the flavor of the veggies shine and adds that acidic punch.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! I don't understand people who drown their salads in tons of dressing! I love the FLAVOR of the veggies!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I'm a kale lover for sure, especially crispy kale! But salads are great too especially with a great dressing that compliments the flavor of the kale! Will definitely check out the cleaning product too since cleaning my kitchen is almost a full time job at this point 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
And with all those great recipes you've been cooking up, cleaning is a must 😉
Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie
I love kale, but it can be a little bitter in salad. Your massaging method sound brilliant and I can't wait to try it! No more bitter kale will change my life forever!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It will!!!! You will love kale so much more! It's softer, less bitter, and just tastier!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
For the most part, we somewhat make our own cleaners, but that looks like a great product!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
One day I'll give my DIY skills a try at that!
Sarah
I am all over kale salads, yum! I wish I could eat them everyday but kale is one of those things I'm suppose to cut back on (I still think my doc is not the smartest but... ) but oh do I enjoy every single bite of them!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, yea, the roughage can get me too 😛 But yes, every bite is savored!
Ilona's Passion
This kale salad looks delicious! It's my favorite veggie lately:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
YAY! I love a kale-lover 😉 Hahaha!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
Any salad with kale, tomato, and lemon I'm all for! This is wonderfully simple <3 I always try to channel my inner masseuse when I'm working with kale, because you're right it's all about the massaging...and leaving it the fridge overnight helps too 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A food masseuse! That would be a killer job 😉
Linda @ Veganosity
I only buy natural products from companies that don't test on animals, so this product is out for me.
Love kale! I use a rolling pin to massage the kale, it does a great job. Love your recipe Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect!
Haha, go all out! I like getting my hands dirty 😉
Kat | curlsnchard.com
I usually opt for natural cleaning products and have got my family to use them too. The have gotten so much better over the years! I remember when I was younger, natural cleaning products really sucked! But now, I have come across so many good, affordable ones 🙂
Your kale salad sounds delicious - I can't really get hold of kale where I live, but I think this would taste great with card too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I could imagine! Progress, progress!
Any dark heavy green would be yummy!
Liz
Love kale! Such a great base for a salad. This looks great!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is! Just so hearty and stands up to anything!
Rachel @ Athletic Avocado
Kale is the bomb! This looks like the perfect lunch with a soup or sandwich!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! Perfect side salad!
Lora
Kale yeah! Love love love every kind of Kale salad! Definitely making this! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Love the kalthusiasium! 😉
Trish
This looks delicious and so healthy! I love the addition of snow peas.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Random addition, but so good!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I love me a good kale salad.... and the Pump 'n Clean 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha, I noticed 😉
Melissa
I love massaged kale salads! So good - this one looks so refreshing too. Yum. Will have to try it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thank you!
Greg Jesensky
I never heard about massaging your kale. I have always preferred spinach over kale because of the toughness of kale. I will give this a try. Thanks for the tip and the great recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Massaging is a must for raw kale!
Deby
You made me think of Kale. Check out my Kale blog. Might make you laugh. Your salad looks beautiful and good..
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A kale blog? Haha!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
I love kale! I remember a couple summers ago when I first started buying it from the local markets. This one lady started telling use to massage the kale... and we looked at her like she was nuts! But now I totally agree, it makes it taste so much better!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I feel like I'd choke on it if I didn't give it a rub down, hahaha!
Farrah
Someday when I grow up (hehehe), I want a kitchen with lots of counterspace! :]! I haven't seen that cleaner before, but will try to remember it when we run out of ours! :O
That kale salad looks delicious! I love good salads that still have a bunch left over even after you think you've eaten a bunch! 😛
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Girl...same! I have the tiniest slap of usable counter space....the rest has STUFF on it. I want a big island!
Thank you!!!
Emily @ My Healthyish Life
I like kale when it's massaged in lemon and/or avocado, not so much when it's plain though! My favorite grab-and-go salad this summer has been a kale + avocado salad actually.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Doubling the greens (avo+kale) is always a good thing 😉
Debbie
I love green products, and it's a must for me that they're not tested on animals.
I love kale salads, though I admit I put a drop of oil in when I massage the kale. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! It's so wonderful to find and I love that it's affordable!
No oil needed here! The lemon juice really works to do the trick!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
It is so nice to see that there are products being made that are much better for our environment and bodies. Love this salad too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! The more natural we can be the better!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner
great simple combo of veggies. I love kale salads. Thanks for linking up! Haven't seen that cleaner yet either so I will check it out
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Kale salads are the best!
Tina Muir
I love summer kale salads! I never know which kale to buy though. Recently I have been going for the.....well...the non-tom-curly haha. The one that looks like spinach...but darker. I do like that one too though, and this is a great recipe for it! Thanks for linking up for meatless monday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Dinosaur kale!!! I love that one too! Easier to chew 😉