The BEST Tahini Kale Salad

Name: The BEST Tahini Kale Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 medium bunches of curly kale (stems removed (about 6 cups)); 2 tbsp olive oil; salt - to taste; ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled); ⅓ cup walnuts (chopped); 1 cup crispy chickpeas (uses 1x 398mL can); ¼ cup green onions (sliced (2 green onions)); 2.5 cups cucumber (diced); 2 cups red bell pepper (diced); 1 medium avocado (chopped); ¼ cup tahini; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; ¼ cup olive oil; Juice of 1 large lemon (about ¼ cup); 3 tsp honey; 1 tsp white vinegar; 1 large clove of garlic (pressed); Salt and black pepper (to taste)

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This tahini kale salad is the best way to eat your greens. Ready in 30 minutes with crispy chickpeas, salty feta and tons of fresh veg, it checks all the boxes!

I know some of you don't like kale, but I know this tahini kale salad will change your mind. Just because I'm a dietitian doesn't automatically mean I love every veggie- sometimes I need a little help from a hidden veggie mac and cheese.

However, I like to see those "less palatable" vegetables as an extra challenge. With the right spices and dressings, there's a delicious way to dress up any green!

I'm also a firm believer that salads should NOT be boring. Gone are the days of plain garden salads with sad lettuce and limp carrots, with the means of being as low calorie as possible. Instead of feeling like a punishment, I designed this tahini kale salad to have a variety of textures, a ton of nutrients, and flavor to maximize satisfaction.

It's a salad you'll truly crave AND one that fills you up.

The BEST Tahini Kale Salad

Ingredients

Salad Base

Curly kale
Olive oil
Salt
Feta cheese
Walnuts
Crispy chickpeas
Green onions
Cucumber
Red bell peppers
Avocado

Salad Dressing

Tahini
Dijon mustard
Olive oil
Juice of 1 large lemon
Honey
White vinegar
Garlic (or garlic powder)
Salt and black pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Follow the steps below to make this tahini kale salad!

In a large mixing bowl, add kale leaves, olive oil and salt. Using your hands, massage oil and salt into the lacinato kale (this helps decrease the bitterness of the kale and softens it before adding the dressing). Massage for about 5 minutes until kale is completely coated.

Add feta cheese, walnuts, crispy chickpeas, green onions, cucumber, bell pepper and avocado.

In a medium bowl, mason jar, or food processor, whisk together dressing ingredients (tahini, lime etc). A splash of warm water can help to thin out the dressing if it's too thick. Once you find the right consistency, pour the dressing over kale and toss to coat.

Toss until ingredients are well combined.

Substitutions & Variations

To make gluten-free: Naturally gluten-free already! If you are sensitive to gluten or have Celiac disease, make sure your chickpeas and tahini are certified gluten-free.

To make dairy-free: Use a plant-based feta or omit it completely. Here's a recipe to try for vegan feta!

Equipment

Mixing bowl

Storage

One of the very best parts about kale is how well it keeps without wilting, making it perfect for meal prep or quick weekday lunches. To store your kale salad, place it in an airtight container in the fridge.

It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, though the flavor and texture are usually at their peak within the first 24-48 hours. So, try to eat it in this time! If you've added grains, roasted vegetables, or delicate toppings like cheese or nuts, consider storing these separately and mixing them in just before serving to keep everything crisp and as fresh as possible.

This way, you can enjoy a fresh-tasting salad even a couple of days after preparing it. For the dressing, if you prefer, store it in a separate small jar or even a small bowl in the fridge and then add the dressing just before serving. This keeps the kale tender but stops it from getting soggy.

Top Tip

One of the main reasons I hear complaints about kale is because it can be dry, tough, and scratch your throat. There's an easy solution to this: massage your kale. Using your hands, massage the oil and salt into the kale. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, because really rubbing the seasoning in there helps flavor and tenderize the leaves. Say goodbye to the feeling of dry kale scraping down your throat!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat this as a meal?

It all depends on how hungry you are. If having this kale salad as a light meal, I would add some grilled chicken or crispy tofu for protein, and maybe some quinoa. You could also easily pair this salad with other dishes like my creamy lemon chicken pasta!

What is tahini?

Tahini is a paste made from finely grinding sesame seeds. It's commonly used in many Middle Eastern dishes, and has a nutty, slightly bitter taste that pairs really well with sweet flavors (like the honey in the dressing).

Can you skip massaging the kale?

I guess you could, but I 100% recommend taking the extra 5 minutes to do it. It seriously levels up the recipe and makes kale so much more delicious.

What Goes Well With Kale Salad

Kale salad is a wonderfully versatile salad base that pairs beautifully with sooo many flavors, textures, and ingredients. One of the easiest ways to elevate your kale salad recipes is to think about contrast. Crunchy vs soft, sweet vs savory, and fresh vs roasted.

For a bit of protein in your kale salad, think roasted chickpeas, grilled chicken, or crispy tofu. All of these are fantastic choices. For a pop of sweetness, you can add thinly sliced apples, pomegranate seeds, or dried cranberries. If nuts are more what you're looking for, toasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds are always a winner!

Obviously no salad is finished without cheese, so I usually go with a crumbly feta or some Parmesan. You can also toss in some roasted vegetables like beets, sweet potato, cauliflower, or carrots for a warm, hearty vibe. When you head to the grocery store, check out some complementary items like cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, bell peppers, or radishes. You can experiment with grains if that's your thing, using quinoa or farro to make your salad more filling.

Another hot tip is to add a drizzle of maple syrup for sweetness. Trust me! Don't know it until you try it.

More Salad Recipes

Have I earned your trust on salads? Here are some more non-boring ones to try:

PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this tahini kale salad, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!

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