Kale Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
A kale salad you’ll actually crave.
Believe it or not, this kale salad will have you eating your veggies with ravenous abandon. It’s filled with crunchy carrots and shredded red cabbage—which you can buy already prepped at the supermarket—and loads of toasted almonds, but it’s the Asian-style peanut dressing laced with ginger and garlic that makes it so good. You’ll want to drink it!
“When hubby saw me making salad with kale, he was far from impressed. But then he tried it…(gates of heaven opening, angel music playing)… OMG!!! Absolute gem, gorgeousness!!!! PLEASE try this people!”
What You’ll Need To Make Kale Salad With Ginger Peanut Dressing
- Curly Kale: Provides a hearty base for the salad with its robust texture and earthy flavor.
- Red Cabbage: Adds vibrant color and a satisfying crunch to the salad.
- Shredded Carrots: Offer subtle sweetness and additional texture to the dish.
- Red Bell Pepper: Contributes a pop of color and freshness to the salad.
- Slivered Almonds: Provide a crunchy contrast. Don’t skip the toasting step as it releases the almonds’ oils and makes them much more flavorful.
- Fresh Cilantro: Adds a burst of freshness and herbaceous aroma to the salad.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Creates a creamy base and adds richness to the dressing. For a smooth dressing, avoid crunchy peanut butter.
- Unseasoned Rice Vinegar: Provides acidity and balances the flavors of the dressing.
- Lime Juice: Offers tanginess and brightness to the dressing.
- Vegetable Oil: Helps emulsify the ingredients and provides a smooth texture.
- Soy Sauce: Adds depth of flavor, umami, and saltiness to the dressing.
- Honey and Sugar: Provide sweetness to balance the acidity and spice in the dressing.
- Garlic and Ginger: Infuse the dressing with aromatic flavor and depth.
- Sriracha: Adds a kick of heat and complexity to the dressing.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Offers a nutty aroma and enhances the Asian-inspired flavors of the dressing.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Begin by arranging the almonds on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake until lightly golden and fragrant.
Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
Purée until smooth and creamy.
Combine the vegetables, almonds, and dressing in a large bowl and pour the dressing over top.
Toss well.
Let the salad sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to allow the kale to soften. Toss again, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. As the salad sits, the flavors may dull; a squeeze of lime and/or pinch of salt will wake things up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure, you can replace the cilantro with flat-leaf (Italian) parsley.
Absolutely! Feel free to reduce the prep time by using these supermarket shortcuts.
Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for a few days, although it won’t be quite as pretty, as the colors dull once refrigerated. Make sure to cover the salad tightly—the cabbage has a strong odor.
You May Also Like
Asian Kale Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing
A kale salad you’ll actually crave.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 cups chopped curly kale, thick stems removed (patted dry)
- 3 cups shredded red cabbage
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- ¾ cup slivered almonds
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
For the Dressing
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, from one lime
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 large clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 1-inch square piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped (see note)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Bake the almonds until lightly golden and fragrant, 5-10 minutes. (Keep a close eye on them; nuts burn quickly.) Transfer the nuts to a small plate to cool.
- Meanwhile, combine all of the ingredients for the dressing in a food processor or blender; process until smooth and creamy.
- Combine the ingredients for the salad in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Let the salad sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the kale to soften. Toss again, and then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. (As the salad sits, the flavors may dull; a squeeze of lime juice will wake things up.)
- Note: Check out easy guidance on how to peel, grate, and chop fresh ginger here.
Nutrition Information
Powered by 
- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 282
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Sugar: 17g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Sodium: 505mg
- Cholesterol: 0
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
See more recipes:
Comments
Add a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I have made this salad so many times!! It is fabulous!! My grown children love it, so does my husband. I have brought it to picnics, to pot luck dinners and to somewhat fancy dinners at friends’ homes and it is always a hit, always disappears. Has made so many family members and friends “kale eaters” who before wouldn’t have given kale a second look. Bravo!!
I adore this recipe. It is my husband’s favorite and he used to really dread Kale before I found this recipe.
I actually double the recipe and make wraps the next day with the leftovers. The Kale stands up to sitting in the dressing overnight.
This has becone my new, favourite salad. Love the flavours!
Just a beautiful, crunchy, delicious salad that I have made several times. I always get compliments on the way it looks and tastes.
The dressing really enhances the vegetables.
Thank you Jenn for your website. I always go here and my Silver Palette Cookbook first when looking for a never fail recipe.
I have been looking for a delicious Ginger Peanut dressing for years & now I have finally found it. It is so yummy and so easy to make. Next time I will double the recipe and add a touch more sriracha sauce.
This salad is delicious!! It’s so fresh tasting and has great crunch! The dressing tastes amazing and I wouldn’t change anything about it (and I often tweak recipes). My young children even love this dressing! I have made this salad several times and each time my husband raves about it and others ask for the recipe. Thanks Jenn for another awesome recipe!!
Hi Jen, first, I love all you receives and you make me look like a great cook!!:)
My question is I accidentally bought seasoned rice vinegar. Can I use the seasoned or can you please give me your thoughts? Thank you
So happy you’re enjoying the recipes, Vicky :). No problem to use the seasoned rice vinegar – you might just want to cut back a tad on the sugar.
Simply delicious! It’s best the first day as the flavors are the freshest; however, I love marinated food, so sitting in dressing for a few days is fine by me. I’ve been making this for 6 months now — once a month maybe? If you HATE kale (like I do– tastes like how you’d think lawn clippings would taste), you still have a chance of liking this salad (assuming the dressing combo sounds appealing to you). Totally worth trying!
I’ve really been enjoying every recipe I’ve tried from your site!! Thank you for testing them for us all, and perfecting the recipes!!
I do have a request….I have been looking high and low for a knock off recipe for Panera Breads, Asian Seasame Vinegarette dressing….could you help me out?
Hi Shari, So glad you’re enjoying the recipes! I’m not familiar with Panera’s Asian Sesame Vinaigrette, but the dressing on this salad may resemble the taste you’re going for.
This salad is to die for. I made it as is the first time and loved it. Everyone who has tried it, loves it. The salad dressing is to die for so now when I make it, I double up on the amount of dressing and it all disappears.
Sounds great! I’m making it tonight for 6-8 people. I’m also throwing in wasabi peas and whole peanuts. What do you think?