We will forever be obsessed with this New Go-To Kale Salad! Crispy breadcrumbs, perfectly flaked salmon and crunchy kale, it's everything you want in a big bowl and works for lunch or dinner.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
A few years back we were up in Portland visiting some friends and we had the most life changing kale salad as a starter one night. I know, who says a kale salad is life changing, right? But trust me - it is!! It's the most glorious kale salad on the planet. Add a few things to it and just you wait. First, some perfectly cooked flaked salmon, yes please. Everything bagel seasoning blend sprinkled on top because duh. Then an avocado or two and you're almost there. Don't skimp on the bread crumb topping - it gives it that crunch you love!! And voila - you're looking at your new favorite salad. Pinkie promise!!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Lacinato Kale - or Tuscan kale or cavolo nero
- Garlic Cloves
- Pecorino Romano
- Olive Oil
- Lemon
- Dried Chile Flakes
- Salt & Pepper
- Lemon
- Everything Bagel Sesoning
- Avocados
- Salmon
- Panko Breadcrumbs
- Butter
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Kale Salad
Step 1: Stack several kale leaves on top of one another and roll them up into a tight cylinder. With a sharp knife, slice crosswise into very thin, about 1/16 inch, ribbons. Put the kale in a salad spinner, rinse in cool water, and spin until completely dry. Pile the kale into a bowl.
Step 2: Put the chopped garlic on a cutting board and mince it even more until you have a paste. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl, add the pecorino, a few tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, chile flakes, salt, and plenty of black pepper, and whisk to combine.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the kale and toss well to thoroughly combine. Taste and adjust with more lemon, salt, chile flakes, or black pepper. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes so the kale softens slightly.
Step 4: Melt the butter in a small non stick skillet. Add the panko breadcrumbs and toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and top the salad with the toasted breadcrumbs, avocados, more cheese, and drizzle with more oil and the everything bagel seasoning.
Step 5: Sprinkle the salmon filets with salt and pepper. Heat a nonstick pan over high heat. Add the oil to the pan and then add the fish. Cook the salmon about 2-3 minutes until there’s a golden crust. Then flip the salmon and cook another minute or two on the skin side.
Step 6: Remove the salmon and add on the salad and serve!
Tips & Tricks
- Massage the kale. Soften the kale by massaging the dressing into the kale before adding in the rest of the "fixings." This helps to better digest the kale!
- Switch up the protein. Feel free to use canned tuna or salmon if you are in a rush. Any sort of protein will fit nicely on this salad.
FAQs
Is kale salad good leftover?
If you know you will be eating this salad as leftovers, avoid dressing the salad all at one time. This will prevent the kale from becoming soggy.
How long does kale last?
Kale can last in the refrigerator for up to a week and in the freezer for up to 6 months before it starts to go bad.
Similar Recipes
The base of this recipe was inspired by that night at Ava Gene's and the corresponding chefs cookbook which we featured a few months back!
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
The New Go-To Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 3 bunches lacinato kale Tuscan kale or cavolo nero, thick ribs cut out
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- ⅓ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese plus more to finish
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ teaspoon dried chile flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving on the side of the salad
- 2 teaspoons everything bagel seasoning
- 1-2 avocados sliced
For the Salmon
- 1 lb salmon cut into 4 4-ounce filets
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the breadcrumbs
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Stack several kale leaves on top of one another and roll them up into a tight cylinder. With a sharp knife, slice crosswise into very thin, about 1/16 inch, ribbons. Put the kale in a salad spinner, rinse in cool water, and spin until completely dry. Pile the kale into a bowl.
- Put the chopped garlic on a cutting board and mince it even more until you have a paste. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl, add the pecorino, a few tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, chile flakes, salt, and plenty of black pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the kale and toss well to thoroughly combine. Taste and adjust with more lemon, salt, chile flakes, or black pepper. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes so the kale softens slightly. Top with the toasted breadcrumbs, avocados, more cheese, and drizzle with more oil and the everything bagel seasoning.
For the salmon
- Sprinkle the salmon filets with salt and pepper. Heat a nonstick pan over high heat. Add the oil to the pan and then add the fish. Cook the salmon about 2-3 minutes until there’s a golden crust. Then flip the salmon and cook another minute or two on the skin side. Remove the salmon and add on the salad as needed
For the breadcrumbs
- Melt the butter in a small non stick skillet. Add the panko breadcrumbs and toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz // Food Styling by Adam Pearson // Prop Styling by Gena Sigala // Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
This is my new lunch every day! I love it.
How many tablespoons of olive oil do you use?
it says in the directions - usually a few tablespoons! 3-4
QUESTION GABY - I'm thinking about buying the gift crate with your seasonings as an xmas gift. Wondering whether or not I need the cookbook to supplement. Do a lot of your recipes in your cookbook use the seasoning? I know I've seen some of your recipes online use it (like this one), but haven't seen it in the cookbook. Although I know the cookbook is great on its own just wondering if it needs to be a combo. xo
Thanks!
Not so much in the cookbook - BUT it is a nice addition!
This salad is next level... especially the dressing + breadcrumb combo! Seriously make it 🙂
We LOVE this recipe! The salmon comes out perfectly cooked and the combination of ingredients is absolutely delicious.
AMAZING.
This is great! We've made it a few times and it's always a big hit. Our toddler loves it too.
Getting the Tuscan kale makes this the most Incredible salad. Thanks for teaching me how to properly cook salmon! Yum!!!! Love this salad!
Obsessed with this one. I used GF panko and vegan butter due to our family’s dietary restrictions and it was still sooooo goooooood.
very yummy~ I marinated the kale in the dressing for 45 min, and I think it helped. Also did the salmon on the grill, which added a depth of flavor. Thanks for the great recipe!
I made this for dinner for me. Party of 1. It was delicious and best part easy and fast. Thanks Gaby!
HI! Just saw your IG video for this recipe and wondering where you linked the knife and cheese grater?
Thanks!
https://whatsgabycooking.com/whats-gaby-cooking-master-list/
wait do you really cut the kale 1/16 of an inch?? the photos look much thicker. Making this tonight 🙂
you can do it however you want! I like it thin!
Just tried this recipe, so delicious! I did add a little Dijonaise to the dressing. Had Heritage pork chops as the protein....definitely a staple in our house!
Can’t wait to try some more of your recipes and I love watching you and the hubby on Instagram TV!
Keep up the great food!
Beth
Can I use regular kale or does it need to be Tuscan?
either works