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 flavour to maximize satisfaction.

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

Ingredients

Salad Base

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

Dressing

Tahini
Dijon mustard
Olive oil
Juice of 1 large lemon
Honey
White vinegar
Garlic
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 kale (this helps decrease the bitterness of the kale). Massage for about 5 minutes until kale is completely coated.

Combining ingredients for salad in a bowl.

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

In a medium bowl or mason jar whisk together dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over kale and toss to coat.

Tossing the dressing in tahini kale salad.

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 best parts about kale is how well it keeps without wilting. Store this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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 flavour 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 flavours (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.

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!