This Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing is a delicious way to change up your salad routine. With kale, purple cabbage, carrots, and sunflower seeds brought together with a creamy tahini dressing, this colorful salad will supercharge your day. Ready in under 15 minutes, you can elevate your weekday meals with minimal fuss.
I love simple lunches, like this kale and carrot salad.
I think kale is one of those things that you either love or hate. I happen to love it, but I am kid-solo in the family with my love.
Even if you aren't a kale fan, you MUST make this dressing. It is good on any salad and also fantastic drizzled on a wrap, on cooked veggies and on grilled protein.
Ingredients
Dressing
- Tahini: Tahini is typically found in the nut butter section of your grocery store.
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy, umami flavor. Feel free to omit or sub in parmesan cheese.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best.
- Rice Vinegar: You can use seasoned or unseasoned; seasoned usually contains a bit of sugar, which can balance the dressing nicely.
- Olive Oil: I recommend a good quality extra-virgin olive oil.
- Coconut Aminos or Gluten-Free Tamari: Soy sauce works just fine if you tolerate gluten.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced will provide the biggest punch of flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Sweet or hot paprika may be used.
Salad
- Kale: I used Tuscan kale, but any type works.
- Grated Red Cabbage: Adds a beautiful crunch and vibrant color to the salad.
- Carrot: I like to grate the carrots or cut them in ribbons, but feel free to cut them any way you like.
- Sunflower Seeds: You could use pumpkin seeds or your favorite nut.
FAQs
Why Do You Massage Kale?
With the exception of baby kale, the texture of kale can be a little rough to eat it raw. That is where massaging comes in! Massaging kale helps to break down the cell walls and helps to soften the texture.
What Kind of Kale Should I Use for this Salad?
Any type will work! I love Tuscan kale, but Green curly kale or red kale also work. If you are using baby kale there is no need to massage. (But the salad will not hold up dressed quite as long.)
More Salads to Try
- Wild Rice Salad: The combination of kale, wild rice, and oranges makes this salad one I turn to again and again.
- Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad: This delicious salad combines fresh strawberries and creamy goat cheese for a refreshing, sweet-savory bite.
- Spinach Arugula Salad: Spinach and arugula topped with pomegranate and pecans make any meal special.
- Arugula Burrata Salad: With peppery arugula and creamy burrata cheese, it is sure to make your taste buds do a little happy dance.
Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- Dressing
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coconut aminos or gluten free tamari
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Salad
- 4 cups Tuscan Kale
- 2 cups grated red cabbage
- 1 carrot peeled then cut into ribbons
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds.
Instructions
- Make dressing by combining tahini, nutritional yeast, water, lemon juice, rice vinegar, olive oil, coconut aminos, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin and salt in a blender. Process until smooth.
- Place kale in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons tahini dressing and massage with clean hands. Wash hands and add cabbage, carrot. Toss with desired amount of additional dressing and serve. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds and serve.
Notes
Variations for Tahini Salad Dressing
- Omit the paprika and cumin. Use apple cider vinegar in place of the rice wine vinegar and add 2 teaspoons minced ginger and 1 teaspoon Sriracha.
- For an extra kick, add in ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Use ¼ cup orange juice in place of the lemon juice and rice vinegar.
Allie says
What a beautiful salad. I love the different pops of color. AND So healthy too
Rebecca @ Strength & Sunshine says
This is such a beautiful salad! I love that tahini dressing!