Yes, You Can Enjoy Raw Kale! These 10 Salad Recipes Prove It

updated May 23, 2023

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Kale doesn’t need to be cooked to be enjoyed. If you slice it into fine ribbons or tear it into small bits, it makes a great salad. When it comes a salad of raw kale, there are two camps of people: those who roll their eyes and wonder how we aren’t past this yet, and those whose love and adoration for this hearty green salad base haven’t skipped a beat.

I fall firmly into the latter group, and that is wholly because I’ve learned what it takes to toss together a really good raw kale salad that you want to keep making again and again. Here are 10 recipes to get you started.

Kale Salad Recipes

1 / 10

Kale & Quinoa Salad with Dates, Almonds & Citrus Dressing

I’ve been making this salad for years, and just can’t quit it. When it comes to kale salad, this one is at the top of my list; it’s the perfect mix of crunchy, sweet, and savory.

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2 / 10

5-Ingredient Kale Caesar Salad

An easy, anchovy-free version of classic Caesar salad, made with kale instead of romaine so it keeps for days in the fridge.

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3 / 10

Kale Bistro Salad

Kale, we're not done with you yet! This bistro-style salad is glorious, with golden egg yolks spilling out and cacio e pepe croutons kicking up the flavor.

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4 / 10

Broccoli and Kale Caesar Salad

This hearty vegan broccoli and kale salad is topped with golden croutons and a velvety vegan Caesar dressing made with roasted garlic and cashews.

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5 / 10

Vegetarian Kale Taco Salad

There’s a whole lot to love about a big bowl of kale salad that packs in all your favorite taco toppings, plus crunchy crumbled tortilla chips.

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6 / 10

Chopped Kale, Farro & Chickpea Salad

This filling salad is simple and no-frills, but it gets tossed with the most irresistible miso-lemon dressing. It’ll keep you coming back again and again.

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7 / 10

Kale with Apples, Currants, and Warm Pancetta Vinaigrette

Inspired by spinach salad, this kale version has a warm, salty vinaigrette with crunchy bits of pancetta. It’s perfect for softening tough kale leaves.

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8 / 10

Kale Salad with Apricots, Avocado & Parmesan

I’m telling you now that this salad would not be as good with any other greens. Bitter kale leaves perfectly balance the sweet apricots, fatty chunks of avocado, and salty Parmesan shavings. It’s the simple mix of thoughtful ingredients that really make it shine.

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9 / 10

Napa Cabbage and Kale Coleslaw with Creamy Miso-Ginger Dressing

Hearty shredded kale takes coleslaw from a summertime classic to a fresh side that has a place on the table all year long.

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10 / 10

Garlicky Grilled Kale Salad with Grilled Bread

This is no ordinary kale salad. The tough leaves and cubes of bread are quickly charred on the grill before getting tossed into a salad with smoky undertones.

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