Not your traditional Caesar.
You are going to love how simple and delicious this Kale Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing is. It’s wholesome, hearty and budget-friendly! Trust me, this one is going to be hard to beat. It’s even more delicious than the classic version.
Why you'll love my recipe.
Nutrient-rich superfood
Kale is a nutrient powerhouse packed with Vitamins A, C, K as well as folate, calcium and antioxidants. This Kale Caesar Salad is a delicious way to boost your nutrient intake.
Creamy dressing
The creamy, tangy flavors of homemade Caesar is unbeatable.
What is Dinosaur kale?
Dinosaur kale sounds and looks funky but at the end of the day, it’s simply a variation of kale. You may commonly recognize curly kale in the produce section, most popularly used in the famous Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana. Also referred to as Dino Kale or Tuscan Kale, it comes from the cabbage family. Some like it cooked down while others enjoy it raw.
How do I use kale in this salad?
Unlike other types of leafy greens that don’t require too much attention, when Dino Kale is consumed raw, it’s crucial to massage it first with olive oil to help soften the leaves. Do this by first, cleaning the kale and removing the stems. Place the torn pieces of the kale leaves in your palms with a drizzle of olive oil or lemon juice and Squeeze and knead for a minute or so. It helps reduce its natural bitterness and makes it easier to eat.
How to clean Dinosaur kale.
Because Dino Kale has many tough ruffles, it’s important to clean properly to remove any debris. Simply run the kale under cold water and use a vegetable scrub or your finger tips to gently rub and remove any visible dirt or debris. Pat the leaves dry to remove any excess water.
Ingredient notes.
Dinosaur kale and lettuce
Curly or lacinato, stems removed and leaves chopped.
Crusty bread
We make our croutons fresh, which are almost as amazing as the homemade Caesar dressing.
Garlic
This is a must for the dressing. It’s the best flavor booster.
Parmesan
Adds a nutty, salty flavor and thickens the dressing when blended.
Mayonnaise
Acts as a creamy base. May substitute with Greek yogurt as a lighter option with a slight tang.
Dijon mustard
Adds a slight tang and sweetness. A must!
Lemon juice
Provides acidity, brightness and freshness.
Worcestershire sauce
Enhances the umami flavor with subtle sweetness and tang.
Olive oil
A good quality olive oil is imp0rtant as the flavor of the dressing depends on it. It is used to emulsify the dressing, binding all the ingredients together, yielding a luxurious texture.
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe index card below!
Expert tips from my test kitchen.
Use an immersion blender
An immersion blender is one of the most important investments in the kitchen. Homemade salads dressings will never be the same or as creamy as this. Shop our exact immersion blender here. (Affiliate link)
Massage the kale
This step is key for tender, soft kale. Don’t skip it!
Season to taste
Once you’ve blended the dressing, season to taste. Everyone’s taste buds are different. Maybe you’ll want to add the more Dijon mustard or an extra garlic clove. Adjust accordingly.
Make it a meal
Add grilled chicken, shrimp or a poached egg for extra protein.
How to make Kale Caesar Salad.
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For full details, see recipe index card below!
Prep the kale and lettuce
Make the Caesar dressing
Add all the salad dressing ingredients, except the olive oil, into an immersion blender container. Blend on high speed while slowly drizzling in olive oil as the dressing combines. Blend for about 1-2 minutes until creamy and smooth. Per preference, add a bit more olive oil or lemon juice to thin it out. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing.
Toast the bread
Assemble the salad
Assemble the salad into a large serving bowl and top with croutons first. Then assemble with the homemade dressing and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese. Toss before serving.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
This dressing can be prepped in advanced. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Prep the salad portion ahead of time the day of and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. I do not recommend making the homemade croutons in advanced or they will lose their crispiness and texture.
How long does Kale Caesar Salad stay fresh?
Kale Caesar Salad can stay fresh for 2-3 days if prepared and stored appropriately. If the dressing is already mixed in, the salad is best consumed same day. The acidity in the dressing can break down the kale and lettuce, making it softer and prone to wilting. Croutons can become soggy when stored with the salad. Add them right before eating for the best crunch and freshness.
Looking for other delicious sides and salads?
Here are a few of our popular salads and sides:
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Kale Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 3 stems of Dino kale
- 4 lettuce hearts
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or lemon juice
- 1/2 baguette or bread loaf
For the dressing:
- 3/4 heaping cup Parmesan freshly grated
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 medium lemon
- 1 garlic clove
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F / 204°C.
- Cut about 5 thick slices of bread into large cubes. Place on a large baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine. I prefer using flavor infused bread like Rosemary Garlic for an extra level of flavor to the croutons. You can also buy plain bread and season on your own.1/2 baguette or bread loaf
- Place on a baking tray and toss in olive oil. Bake for about 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Remove from the tray and set aside.
- Add all the salad dressing ingredients, except the olive oil, into an immersion blender container. Blend on high speed while slowly drizzling in olive oil as the dressing combines. Blend for about 1-2 minutes until creamy and smooth. Per preference, add a bit more olive oil or lemon juice to thin it out. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing. Note: If you crave a stronger umami flavor, add one anchovy in this step and blend until smooth.3/4 heaping cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup olive oil, Juice of 1 medium lemon, 1 garlic clove, 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, Sea salt and cracked black pepper
- Wash, dry and chop the romaine lettuce into bite size pieces. Wash, dry and remove the stems from the Dino kale and cut into equal, bite size pieces. Massage the kale with olive oil to soften the leaves. You may substitute with lemon juice.3 stems of Dino kale, 2 Tablespoons olive oil or lemon juice, 4 lettuce hearts
- Assemble the salad into a large serving bowl and top with croutons first. Then assemble with the homemade dressing and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese. Toss before serving.
Notes
- If you don't have an immersion blender, alternatively, you may add the ingredients to a food processor or beat the ingredients with a whisk until smooth but keep in mind, the dressing may not come out as creamy as using an immersion blender.
- This dressing can be prepped in advanced. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Prepping the salad portion ahead of time and storing in the refrigerator is easy but I do not recommend making the homemade croutons in advanced or they will lose their crispiness and texture.
Nutrition
The provided nutritional value above is an estimate per serving. 100% accuracy is not guarenteed. Please see Nutrition Information Disclaimer in our Privacy Policy.
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
Amazing quite a lot of good material.
Thank you!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with a few pics to
drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog.
A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
Thank you for being here! Happy baking! 🙂
Such a delicious version of caesar salad! The dressing is so refreshing & light! Perfect for lunch or dinner for any occasion! Great recipe, highly recommend making it!
Thank you, Deby! Happy to hear you enjoyed it as much as we do. 🙂
I truly enjoy all the details you post for your recipes (even for a salad!). The notes, pictures and breakdown of how to get the best result each and every time is much appreciated!
Yes it’s a salad, why follow a recipe for a salad? – because it’s and a darn good one! The croutons are perfect and the dressing is light, cheesy and so flavorful!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hi Patty, thank you for this lovely review!! It’s one of our top favorite salads too!
I’ll be honest I was skeptical of this salad at first….. not a huge fan of Kale… but wow…. I love the way this salad comes together! Great job! Even my 6 year old was eating it. Small miracles
Thank you for trusting my recipe in the midst of any doubt! 🙂