This garlicky kale salad is the best kale salad ever and so easy to whip up. The zesty tahini dressing is absolutely delicious and makes this recipe taste JUST like the Whole Foods garlicky kale.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m semi-addicted to the Whole Foods salad bar. Granted, my addiction may have subsided a tad since I haven’t been in the store since March, but I still vividly remember my favorites!
There are so that I often end up filling my container to the brim with different veggies, beans and salads. Sure, I end up paying an arm and a leg for my meal, but it’s totally worth it. 😉
Whole Foods Salad Bar Recreations
Of course, I have some favorite items on the bar — one being the Cracklin’ Cauliflower, which I’ve already recreated and the second is the garlicky kale salad. After reading the ingredient list for the garlicky kale salad at the bar (Yep, here’s a little secret – all items on the bar have an ingredient list posted!) I decided to make my own variation at home. I knew the ingredients, but didn’t know the exact measurements so it took a little trial and error. I’ve made it several times now and I have to say, it’s pretty spot on!
Ingredients Needed for This Kale Salad
kale
tahini
apple cider vinegar (or water)
lemon juice
Bragg’s liquid aminos (tamari or soy sauce will work)
nutritional yeast
garlic
Zesty Tahini Dressing
The dressing I use for the garlicky kale salad is my zesty tahini dressing. It’s made with tahini, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, tamari, nutritional yeast and garlic. I love the zesty flavor from the garlic and apple cider vinegar and the fact that it’s oil-free.
It’s definitely one of my favorite dressings ever! You’ll love it on this kale salad, but you’ll likely want to use it for other salads too. I highly recommend making a double batch!
How to Serve this Kale Salad
This garlicky kale salad is a great side option but I also love it as a base to other salads! My trick is using this as a base and then layering leftovers on top… you can’t go wrong with leftover veggies + protein on this tasty salad base!
If you make this garlicky kale salad, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how it turned out. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers!
This garlicky kale salad is the best kale salad ever and so easy to whip up. The zesty tahini dressing is absolutely delicious and makes this recipe taste JUST like the Whole Foods garlicky kale.
Ingredients
1 bunch raw kale, washed, de-stemmed and dried
2 Tablespoons tahini
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or water)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos (tamari or soy sauce will work)
4 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons (1–2 cloves) minced garlic
Instructions
Break or cut kale into bite size pieces and place in a large bowl.
Puree all ingredients except kale in a blender or food processor to blend the dressing.
Pour dressing over kale and massage into the kale with your hands until all pieces of kale are coated.
Let the salad sit in the fridge for an hour or so to marinate. You can skip this step if you need to eat right away, but allowing some time to marinate will wilt the kale a bit and make it a little more palatable – particularly for those who are skeptical of eating raw kale.
Category:Salad
Method:Toss
Cuisine:American
Nutrition
Serving Size:1/2 of recipe
Calories:169
Sugar:1g
Sodium:995mg
Fat:7g
Saturated Fat:1g
Unsaturated Fat:0g
Trans Fat:3g
Carbohydrates:17g
Fiber:5g
Protein:9g
Cholesterol:0mg
Keywords: garlicky kale salad
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My family recently moved to a town that has no Whole Foods but, previously, my husband has been a *huge* fan of that kale salad. I just made this for Easter (had to sub Parmigiano for the nutritional yeast) and I wish I’d snapped a photo of his face when he tasted it. Thank you!!
I’m leaving a 5 star rating because I think you nailed the flavour and most probably prefer the consistency. However; I like my dressings a bit thicker. Any suggestions on how to thicken this up to use as a dip? just add more nutritional yeast or cut the liquids in half?
So glad you loved this recipe, Stacy! Thanks for coming back to leave a review, I so appreciate it! To make it thicker, maybe try adding a little arrowroot powder or cornstarch? That should thicken it up! Let me know how it turns out if you try it. 🙂
This came out perfect. I had to substitute tahini for dijon, and acv for seasoned rice wine vinegar, and drizzled in some olive oil. I whisked it up and it was a hit.
This was delicious. I didn’t have the yeast so I improvised using 2 Tbsp of whole grain rolled oats and 2 Tbsp of freshly grated real parmesan. Some crusty seared salmon on top with a lemon wedge on the side and this was better than what you get in most restaurants. Thank you for sharing.
Yum! Just happened to have all of the ingredients and whipped it up for lunch today. So easy, and love the garlicky, tangy dressing! Will definitely be making again. Thanks!
Woo! Love it when that happens! I’m so glad you enjoyed this salad, Lauren. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
I couldn’t believe the salad bar was open again at wholefoods in nyc! I stopped by to pick up a few things but not expecting food out in the open.
I am excited to try this salad tonight!
Brittany, can it be made without the nutritional yeast or is there a substitute? And if not, where is the nutritional yeast usually found in the grocery store?
Hey Mary! The nutritional yeast is a key ingredient for the dressing. I wouldn’t skip it and there’s no a good substitute. You can usually find it in the natural/organic section of regular grocery stores near the condiments. If you’re at a natural foods store like Whole Foods it should be on the spice aisle. You can also buy it online… on Amazon, Target or Thrive Market.
Oh. My. Goodness. Probably the BEST healthier caesar dressing I have ever had (and I have tried a few)! It’s full of flavour, not too watery, and is perfectly creamy – not to mention SO easy to make!! I will definitely be making this again (probably doubling the batch even), and OFTEN! 🙂
OMG! Eating it right now and can’t.stop.thinking how delicious it is! I never tried the original Whole Foods version you mention, but this is simply FIRE!
I was skeptical because I’m not into tahini-based sauces, but I gave it a try, and I’m so glad I did! This is simply divine!
Okay. First off: this salad is amazing! I used to get this salad all the time at the Whole Foods in Columbia, SC. I now live in California – my local WF has it, but it’s not the same. This recipe brought back to that awesome WF in SC. I measure the garlic with my heart, so it was extra garlicky and delicious. This recipe also got me out of my comfort zone and tried tahini and nutritional yeast for the first time. Thank you so much for this recipe. I highly recommend it.
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Francisco! I’m so glad you enjoyed this salad. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. The reviews are super helpful to other readers, so I appreciate it!
I made your Zesty Tahini Dressing for the first time tonight. Was it ever zesty! Really delicious though. The flavours of the ingredients when combined is perfect.
Yay!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tahini dressing, Diane. Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
Woot woot!! So glad you enjoyed this salad, Rebecca. Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
Thank you for recipe….it is amazing….I use it as a dressing on everything!! (Today on a warm salad of roasted kalettes, red onion, cherry tomatoes and golden beets….a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!)
Woo-hoo! That makes me so happy to hear, Kerry. 🙂 I’m so glad you’ve been loving this recipe. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and star rating. The reviews are super helpful to other readers, so I really appreciate it. <3
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My family recently moved to a town that has no Whole Foods but, previously, my husband has been a *huge* fan of that kale salad. I just made this for Easter (had to sub Parmigiano for the nutritional yeast) and I wish I’d snapped a photo of his face when he tasted it. Thank you!!
★★★★★
So glad this salad was a hit! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
I’m leaving a 5 star rating because I think you nailed the flavour and most probably prefer the consistency. However; I like my dressings a bit thicker. Any suggestions on how to thicken this up to use as a dip? just add more nutritional yeast or cut the liquids in half?
★★★★★
So glad you loved this recipe, Stacy! Thanks for coming back to leave a review, I so appreciate it! To make it thicker, maybe try adding a little arrowroot powder or cornstarch? That should thicken it up! Let me know how it turns out if you try it. 🙂
This came out perfect. I had to substitute tahini for dijon, and acv for seasoned rice wine vinegar, and drizzled in some olive oil. I whisked it up and it was a hit.
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed this salad, Aubrey! Thanks for the review. 🙂
Delicious and easy to prepare!
★★★★★
I did not know how much I could like kale until I made this! The dressing is so good.
★★★★★
Ahh yay!! I’m so glad you love this salad. It’s one of my faves. 🙂
This was delicious. I didn’t have the yeast so I improvised using 2 Tbsp of whole grain rolled oats and 2 Tbsp of freshly grated real parmesan. Some crusty seared salmon on top with a lemon wedge on the side and this was better than what you get in most restaurants. Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Yay!! I love the subs you made for the dressing and I’m glad it turned out for you. 🙂
Yum! Just happened to have all of the ingredients and whipped it up for lunch today. So easy, and love the garlicky, tangy dressing! Will definitely be making again. Thanks!
★★★★★
Woo! Love it when that happens! I’m so glad you enjoyed this salad, Lauren. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
I’ve been trying to figure out this recipe and this nails it – yay! Thank you -I could eat bowls full!
★★★★★
Ahh yay! So glad you found it! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I appreciate it. 🙂
thank you for the recipe
you are the best
★★★★★
very greenish and looked delicious
I couldn’t believe the salad bar was open again at wholefoods in nyc! I stopped by to pick up a few things but not expecting food out in the open.
I am excited to try this salad tonight!
Ahh yay!! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it. 🙂
Brittany, can it be made without the nutritional yeast or is there a substitute? And if not, where is the nutritional yeast usually found in the grocery store?
Hey Mary! The nutritional yeast is a key ingredient for the dressing. I wouldn’t skip it and there’s no a good substitute. You can usually find it in the natural/organic section of regular grocery stores near the condiments. If you’re at a natural foods store like Whole Foods it should be on the spice aisle. You can also buy it online… on Amazon, Target or Thrive Market.
Oh. My. Goodness. Probably the BEST healthier caesar dressing I have ever had (and I have tried a few)! It’s full of flavour, not too watery, and is perfectly creamy – not to mention SO easy to make!! I will definitely be making this again (probably doubling the batch even), and OFTEN! 🙂
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Brittany!! I’m so glad you’re loving this dressing. 🙂
OMG! Eating it right now and can’t.stop.thinking how delicious it is! I never tried the original Whole Foods version you mention, but this is simply FIRE!
I was skeptical because I’m not into tahini-based sauces, but I gave it a try, and I’m so glad I did! This is simply divine!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Alex. So pumped you are loving this recipe!
Okay. First off: this salad is amazing! I used to get this salad all the time at the Whole Foods in Columbia, SC. I now live in California – my local WF has it, but it’s not the same. This recipe brought back to that awesome WF in SC. I measure the garlic with my heart, so it was extra garlicky and delicious. This recipe also got me out of my comfort zone and tried tahini and nutritional yeast for the first time. Thank you so much for this recipe. I highly recommend it.
★★★★★
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Francisco! I’m so glad you enjoyed this salad. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. The reviews are super helpful to other readers, so I appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing this.
★★★★★
I made your Zesty Tahini Dressing for the first time tonight. Was it ever zesty! Really delicious though. The flavours of the ingredients when combined is perfect.
★★★★★
Yay!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tahini dressing, Diane. Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
WHOA! Made this for the first time (added a fried egg) and will be putting the dressing on everything from here on out
★★★★★
Woot woot!! So glad you enjoyed this salad, Rebecca. Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
Thank you for recipe….it is amazing….I use it as a dressing on everything!! (Today on a warm salad of roasted kalettes, red onion, cherry tomatoes and golden beets….a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!)
★★★★★
Woo-hoo! That makes me so happy to hear, Kerry. 🙂 I’m so glad you’ve been loving this recipe. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and star rating. The reviews are super helpful to other readers, so I really appreciate it. <3
delicious !!!
thanks.
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I really appreciate it!
Thanks for this nice post
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★★★★
that was good !
thanks !
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