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This kale caesar salad is crisp, hearty, and packed with flavor thanks to homemade Caesar dressing, crunchy sourdough croutons, and shaved parmesan. Perfect as a side or topped with protein for a full meal!
Yesterday I shared my go-to healthy caesar dressing and today I’m sharing my new favorite caesar salad! Instead of making this salad with romaine lettuce, which isn’t that nutritious, I decided to make it with kale. Kale is one of my favorite leafy greens and is a much healthier option as it’s packed with tons of vitamins and minerals.
I kept this recipe pretty simple mainly because the croutons and dressing already add a ton of flavor, but feel free to customize this salad to your liking. I’ve been enjoying this salad for lunches during the week topped with sliced avocado and grilled chicken. It’s SO good!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why I know you’re going to love this kale Caesar salad as much as I do:
- Crisp and hearty – Kale stays crunchy and doesn’t wilt like romaine, even after sitting in dressing.
- Homemade touches – Fresh sourdough croutons and from-scratch dressing make a big difference.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor – Just a few fresh, wholesome ingredients come together in the best way.
- Easy to customize – Add your favorite protein on top to make it a full meal.
- Perfect for meal prep – Kale holds up, making this salad great for prepping ahead.
Ingredients Needed
- curly kale – the base of this salad! The curly kale pairs well with the rest of the ingredients but you can swap it for Lacinato kale (otherwise known as dinosaur kale) or any type of leafy green or lettuce you have on hand.
- caesar dressing – a healthier caesar dressing made with Greek yogurt instead of eggs or mayo.
- sourdough croutons – my sourdough croutons add the perfect crunch to this salad.
- parmesan – I highly recommend topping this salad with freshly shaved parmesan cheese for a bit more flavor. For a dairy-free option, you can make this vegan parmesan cheese or use a store-bought version.
Customize Your Salad
This salad can definitely be customized! Here are some suggestions:
- Switch up the greens: If you’re not a fan of kale, feel free to use your favorite lettuce or leafy green instead. Romaine would be my second choice for this salad.
- Add protein: Turn this salad into a meal-sized salad by topping it with some protein. It’s delicious paired with my apple cider vinegar chicken, crispy air fryer chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs would all be tasty options.
- Add veggies: I love the simplicity of this salad, but feel free to toss in as many veggies as you’d like! If I were to add more vegetables to this salad I would add chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado.
- Dressing swaps: Try my avocado caesar dressing for an extra creamy twist. Want to keep it vegan? Go with my vegan ranch dressing. Not exactly a Caesar, but still delicious.
How to Make Kale Caesar Salad
This kale caesar salad recipe comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Prepare the caesar dressing and sourdough croutons if you haven’t already.
Step 2: Add chopped kale to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the kale and toss until everything is well coated.
Step 3: Let the kale sit for 5–10 minutes so it softens and soaks in the flavor.
Step 4: Plate the salad and top with croutons and shaved parmesan. Add grilled chicken or your favorite protein if you’re turning it into a meal.
Brittany’s Tip
If you don’t have the ingredients on hand to make homemade caesar dressing, you can also use your favorite store-bought dressing. Just be mindful of the ingredients and look for clean ingredient lists without cheap, hydrogenated oils, HFCS, tons of additives, food coloring and thickeners. One of my favorites is this Primal Kitchen dairy-free caesar dressing.
Serving Suggestions
This kale Caesar salad makes a great side dish, but it’s also hearty enough to be a meal on its own with a little extra protein. Here are a few of my favorite pairings:
How to Store
Kale holds up really well to dressing, which makes this salad perfect for leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. The croutons may soften over time, so if you’re prepping ahead, keep them separate and add just before serving for the best crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not totally necessary with curly kale, especially if you let it sit in the dressing for a few minutes, but you can massage it with a bit of olive oil or lemon juice if you want it extra tender.
Absolutely. Lacinato (dinosaur) kale works great too — it has a softer texture and slightly sweeter flavor. Just make sure to chop it finely.
Yes! Kale is packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Pair it with a homemade dressing and quality toppings and you’ve got a wholesome, satisfying salad.
More Kale Recipes to Try
- Garlicky Kale Salad
- Massaged Kale Salad
- Kale and Feta Crustless Quiche
- Easy Baked Kale Chips
- Sunflower Crunch Salad
- Easy Kale Salad
Be sure to check out the full collection of salad recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Kale Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 1 bunch curly kale, de-stemmed and chopped (about 12 cups)
- Caesar Dressing
- Sourdough Croutons
- Fresh shaved parmesan, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare dressing and croutons.
- Add chopped kale to a large bowl, pour dressing over and toss to combine. Let kale sit for at least 5-10 minutes to soak in the dressing.
- Plate kale and top with croutons and fresh parmesan. To make this salad a meal, top with protein of choice.
Video
Notes
- If you don’t have the ingredients on hand to make homemade caesar dressing, you can also use your favorite store-bought dressing. Just be mindful of the ingredients and look for clean ingredient lists without cheap, hydrogenated oils, HFCS, tons of additives, food coloring and thickeners. One of my favorites is this Primal Kitchen dairy-free caesar dressing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
