Homemade Caesar Salad … with Kale!
I love everything about this salad. It’s not a traditional Caesar salad, and that’s what I love about it. I used kale rather than romaine and fried chickpeas instead of croutons. I’ve never been that into croutons but have always been a fan of chickpeas. They’re a wonderful complement to the salad. They’re crispy, crunchy, and I added plenty of salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne for a kick. The dressing isn’t traditional because there’s no Worcestershire, egg yolks, or anchovies. Sometimes breaking tradition yields the tastiest results. The dressing clings perfectly to the curly kale leaves and has a delectable savory bite. It will keep airtight in the fridge for up to one week. There’s Parmesan in the dressing as well as on top of the salad. The more, the merrier when it comes to cheese!
Kale Caesar Salad Ingredients
To make this easy Caesar salad with kale, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Canola oil Canned chickpeasSpicesCurly kale
For the no-egg Caesar dressing, you’ll need:
Mayonnaise Lemon juiceDijon mustardGarlicGrated ParmesanSalt and pepperSugar (optional)
Can Miracle Whip Be Used Instead of Mayo?
Of course! Use whichever you prefer. You can even substitute a vegan mayo, if desired. If using Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise, you likely won’t need the optional sugar in the dressing since Miracle Whip is already sweeter in flavor.
How to Make a Caesar Salad with Kale
This recipe may use a homemade Caesar dressing, but the salad comes together quickly! Here’s an overview of how the kale Caesar is prepared:
Recipe Variations
I love the simplicity of this kale Caesar recipe as it’s the perfect side salad to any Italian entree or grilled protein. However, you can tweak the salad as you see fit. Here are some suggestions:
Add protein such as grilled or baked chicken, sauteed shrimp, etc. Swap the crispy chickpeas for croutons Swap the kale for another dark leafy green, such as spinach Add cooked and crumbled bacon Add your favorite salad veggies, such as cucumber or bell pepper
Tips for the Best Kale Caesar
Kale: I used curly kale, but you may use any variety you have on hand. Be sure to remove the ribs and use only the leafy portion of the kale. Parmesan: I used Parm that’s been aged 24+ months. It’s a little pricier but worth it for the extra sharpness and depth of flavor. Dressing: If you have time, try to make the dressing an hour or so before assembling the salad. It tastes best after it’s had time to chill in the fridge so the flavors can develop.
More Easy Salad Recipes:
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