This easy strawberry kale salad comes together in 5 minutes! Sweet strawberries, crunchy pecans, creamy blue cheese, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette combine with the tender massaged kale for a rich, indulgent salad.
Kale is one of my favorite things.
Seriously, I have a kale salad recipe for every occasion – like my Kale Salad with Blueberries, Walnuts, and Feta that I like to take to gatherings in any season, my Kale Caesar Salad that I like to serve with dinner, my Sweet Kale Salad (which is a spot-on amazing Costco copycat), my Hearty Roasted Veggie Salad with Kale that has the most wonderful earthy flavor and color, and one that I just call my Best Kale Salad Recipe.
But I think I have another contender for the “top spot” in green salads….
I wanted another fresh salad with bright color and rich flavor, so I created this delicious strawberry kale salad with pecans and blue cheese.
I really love the crunch of the kale, the sweetness of the strawberries, the sharpness of the blue cheese, and the nutty buttery pecans. It’s a perfect summer salad!
Serve this strawberry kale salad recipe for a vegetarian lunch, as a side salad with dinner, a main dish with protein added, or take it to a family potluck – no matter which way you serve it, it’s amazing!
STRAWBERRY KALE SALAD
When I order a salad at a restaurant, I like to get something that has a bunch of flavors and textures. This strawberry kale salad fits the bill! It’s also:
- Quick and easy. In less than 10 minutes, you’ve got a delicious salad.
- Made with simple ingredients. With just 4 salad components and a minimal dressing, you’ll be able to whip this together fast.
- Versatile. Don’t have one of the listed ingredients? Try one of my substitution ideas!
- Feels indulgent. I don’t know if it’s the fresh berries or the creamy blue cheese or the crunchy pecans, but this salad just feels like a fancy treat to me.
KALE AND STRAWBERRY SALAD INGREDIENTS
One of the best aspects of this kale and strawberry salad is how flexible it is!
- Kale. Remove the stems and save them for smoothies. Try Tuscan kale (aka lacinato kale) or curly kale cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Strawberries. Fresh strawberries are best. You can also try blueberries, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, or sliced apples – whatever is in season.
- Pecans. Toasted almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, or walnuts work too for that nutty crunch.
- Blue cheese (crumbled or diced). Goat cheese or feta cheese would also add creaminess.
- Balsamic Vinaigrette. This is my favorite homemade dressing because it’s so quick and easy!
You can also include some sliced red onions for a little kick! Or diced avocado for even more fresh, creamy flavor.
HOW TO MAKE KALE SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES
Step 1. Prepare the salad dressing by combining balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup in a jar and shaking well or whisk in a small bowl. (Find the full Balsamic Dressing Recipe here.)
You can make the salad dressing ahead of time. For easy pouring out of a mason jar, try one of these reCAP mason jar lids! The pour-spout one is perfect for homemade salad dressings!
Step 2. Place the kale into a large bowl and drizzle the dressing over the kale. Using your hands, massage the dressing into the kale for 1-2 minutes.
Step 3. Top the kale salad with strawberries, pecans, and cheese and toss gently to combine.
Step 4. Serve immediately, or as desired.
This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, even with the dressing! You can also massage the kale with a small drizzle of olive oil and store the salad components separately in the fridge for up to 7 days.
KALE STRAWBERRY SALAD RECIPE NOTES
- Massage the kale. Honestly, it’s really simple and it’s a must in my opinion because massaging the dressing into the leaves is key to the kale not tasting bitter (not just tossing the kale leaves with the dressing!). You can do this ahead of time, or right when you make the kale strawberry salad.
- Leftovers are great! Thanks to the heartiness of the kale, your salad won’t be soggy the next day. It may even be more flavorful since the ingredients had extra time to meld together!
- Add seasonal variety. If berries are not in season, use another fruit that is! Peaches, mandarin oranges, apples, grapes, or dried fruits are all great options.
- Sub spinach instead of kale! Kale has a very thick texture and distinct taste. If you need something a bit milder, try spinach or fresh baby kale.
SERVE WITH STRAWBERRY KALE SALAD
Strawberry feta kale salad is delicious as written for a side dish or add some additional protein to make it a meal.
KALE SALAD STRAWBERRIES FAQS
Can you eat raw kale in a salad?
Absolutely! That’s actually my favorite way to eat kale and knowing how to massage the kale keeps it tender and perfect for salads.
How do you get the bitterness out of kale for salad?
The key is massaging the kale with the dressing. This is the secret key to fully enjoying tender curly kale in a salad without bitterness, only wonderful crunch and flavor.
Should kale be cooked for kale salad strawberries?
No, kale does not need to be cooked for salad. Similar to lettuce salads, kale just needs to be rinsed well, chopped, and preferably massaged with dressing to bring out the flavor of kale without bitterness.
MORE FLAVORFUL SALAD RECIPES
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Strawberry Kale Salad with Pecans and Blue Cheese
This easy strawberry kale salad comes together in 5 minutes! Sweet strawberries, crunchy pecans, creamy blue cheese, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette combine with the tender massaged kale for a rich, indulgent salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Soup & Salad
- Method: Chop
- Cuisine: American
Balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the salad dressing by combining the ingredients in a jar and shaking well.
- Place the kale into a large bowl and pour the dressing over the kale.
- Using your hands, massage the dressing into the kale for 1-2 minutes.
- Top with the strawberries, pecans, blue cheese and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately, or as desired.
Notes
- Make this a massaged kale salad. Honestly, it’s really simple – massaging the dressing into the leaves is key to the kale not tasting bitter. You can do this ahead of time, or when you make the whole salad. Just be sure to use your hands to massage because tossing the kale with the dressing won’t do the trick.
- Leftovers are great! Thanks to the heartiness of the kale, your salad won’t be soggy the next day.
- Add seasonal variety. If berries are not in season, use another fruit that is!
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, even with the dressing! You can also massage the kale with a small drizzle of olive oil and store the salad components separately in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 446
