I'm not sure if I've just ruined Caesar salad for you. Just kidding. I know Caesar salad is a total classic. But sometimes I don't dig the calories that come along with it. Enter my take on an easy Kale Tahini Salad that is a lot healthier, so it doesn't come with all the guilt!
This kale salad with tahini dressing is everything that is missing in your life right now. The tahini salad dressing is to die for and it's super healthy, made with all the right ingredients. The salad comes together so quickly, and it's the perfect way to use up some kale (which is a super food by the way!).
Why use Kale in this salad?
Kale is actually one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. With a total of 33 calories in just 1 cup, it is packed with vitamin A, K, C, and B6, along with many other vitamins. I personally love the earthy flavor of raw kale and I love to toss it in most salads and soups or just saute it with some garlic. I tend to use it the same way I would use spinach, but it has a lot more body that spinach and doesn't wilt away. In this salad, I find it much more filling than regular lettuce, which makes this kale tahini salad a perfect lunch for me.
I like to use baby kale when using it in salads because it tends to be softer and better for eating raw. However if you can't find it, then use the regular kale but be sure to massage it well when washing it and use your hands to break down the fibers. This will help soften the leaves.
What is Tahini?
Tahini is used for the base of this salad dressing. It's toasted sesame seeds that are crushed to form a paste and it's a common ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. It's absolutely delicious because it can work in both sweet and savory dishes, has a great consistency and a deep nutty taste. You can find it at most grocery stores (but if you're out of luck there, try your local Middle Eastern grocer). This brand is one I often use.
The best part about this salad is not only its health benefits but that it's so easy to throw together using ingredients you most likely have in your pantry (if you like middle eastern food, you MUST have tahini in your pantry! Or we're not friends!).
I love to throw in ready made croutons to make the process a bit faster, or you can skip those completely and double up on the sunflower seeds which also give a lovely crunch.
But the absolute best thing about this Kale Tahini salad is the dressing. It's SO good! You just throw all the ingredients together and I typically use an immersion blender to mix them. I leave adding the water called for in the recipe until the end and add it gradually until I reach my desired thickness.
I hope you end up trying this salad recipe! Let me know what you think by leaving me some feedback!
For more lighter recipes, check out:
Easy Kale Tahini Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 4 cups kale, packed
- 1 cup croutons
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
For the Tahini dressing:
- ½ cup tahini
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Start by washing the kale and taring it up into bite sized pieces using your hands. When you do this, also massage the kale to break down the fibers
- Mix the salad dressing ingredients together using a fork or an immersion blender (or any other type). Taste and adjust seasoning and thickness by adding more water.
- Assemble the salad by adding the kale to a plate, followed by the croutons, sunflower seeds and Parmesan cheese, then finally adding the dressing. Enjoy!
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