Garlicky Kale Salad (Inspired by Whole Foods)
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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 (like crispy roasted chickpeas) on this tasty salad base!
More Kale Salad Recipes to Try
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad
- Massaged Kale Salad
- Kale & Cabbage Pad Thai Salad
- Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
- Butternut Squash Kale Salad
- Sweet Potato Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Detox Salad
- Kale Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Easy Kale Salad
More Healthy Salad Dressing Ideas
- Mexican Goddess Dressing
- Maple Dressing
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- Turmeric Tahini Dressing
- Avocado Caesar Dressing
- Chili Almond Dressing
- Zesty Tahini
- Healthy Caesar Dressing
Be sure to check out my healthy salad dressings as well as my salad recipes.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Garlicky Kale Salad
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.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
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