Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (2024)

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Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (1)
This Asian kale salad recipe tosses fresh kale, peppers, and sugar snap peas, in a sweet and tangy peanut ginger dressing, for an incredible healthy side dish.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE KALE

Do you love kale?

I have to admit that before moving to Washington, I didn’t even know what kale was. I had pretty much seen it as a garnish at restaurants. I’m sure grocery stores in Hawaii carried it, but I neversaw it that I can remember. It just wasn’t on my radar.

Perhaps it simply grew in popularity, or perhaps it was my moving to Washington where it grows so stinking well, even in winter, but I quickly learned about kale and how seriously awesome it is.

Kale has protein and fiber, vitamins A C & K, folate, potassium, omega 3s, calcium, and zinc. Yep, nutritional powerhouse in those pretty green leaves.

Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (2)

It also grows really easily! We now currently have three varieties growing in our garden, and eat it almost every day.

I am not a gardener. I plant starts, I weed twice a season, and I have drip irrigation.

Kale is simply the PERFECT vegetable for me to grow!

Some people have trouble with kale though. It’s tougher than lettuce or spinach, so you don’t usually want to eat it fresh like you would one of those. but with the perfect dressing, you just might become a kale salad addict like we have.

ASIAN SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

You are going to fall in love withthis dressing recipe.

Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (3)

I call it “Asian” because it’s a mix of ingredients popular in various Asian cuisines, but it’s not an authentic recipe from any country in particular. Perhaps it would be closest to Thai or Vietnamese because of the peanut butter in the dressing.

You don’t have to use a food processor to make the dressing. I choose to because I make a big batch and this is an easy way to mix it. You can also use a blender or mix it by hand with a fork. Just make sure that you do finely grate your garlic and ginger so you don’t end up with big chunks that settle into the bottom of your dressing.

Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (4)

There are times that chunky garlic is perfectly acceptable. This is not one of those times.

The dressing makes this salad, and really you could swap out the peppers and sugar snap peas for other vegetables you have one hand. Maybe julienned carrots and cucumbers, or some thinly sliced cabbage and julienned zucchini. The recipe makes some extra dressing so you can play with salad ingredients later. I basically just used what was in my garden.

The dressing pairs really well with a variety of Asian main dishes. We’ve had it with teriyaki chicken, honey sesame chicken, Chinese meatballs, and Korean kalbi beef.

ASIAN KALE SALAD RECIPE

Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (5)

Whatever vegetables you choose to toss in with your salad, just make sure they are chopped or sliced to their best advantage. You really want them to get coated in the lovely dressing.

For the sugar snap peas, I chopped them at aslightangle into half inch pieces. They just look prettier that way!I also sliced the mini bell peppers very thinly on my favorite fast and easy mandoline.You just want to make sure not to have any huge chunks of hard veggies, or large pieces of kale that are too big to chew. This salad is all about similar texture and lots of flavor.

But really, make the dressing. Pour it on everything (we even pour it on our rice and chicken), and go to bed with a happy tummy.

KITCHEN TOOLS:

Yield: 6 servings

Asian Kale Salad Recipe

Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (6)

Prep Time20 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 large bunch of kale
  • 20 sugar snap peas
  • 6 mini bell peppers

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, I used melted coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons peanut butter, crunchy or creamy
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce, We love Aloha shoyu
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons grated ginger, our favorite microplane grater
  • 1 clove large garlic, grated

Instructions

  1. Slice the stems out of the kale (you can save the stems for making veggie stock) and chop the kale into bite sized pieces.
  2. Slice the peas into 1/4 inch chunks.
  3. Use a mandoline to slice the bell peppers very thinly.
  4. Place all the dressing ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well mixed.
  5. Toss the salad and dressing ingredients in a large bowl to serve immediately, or chill salad and dressing separately and toss together when ready to serve.

Notes

Approximate cost/serving: We grow our own kale and peas which greatly cuts the cost. You can also get them along with mini peppers and Adams Peanut Butter in bulk at Costco. This ended up costing us just $2.40 so about 60 cents per serving.

Vegetarian/Gluten Free: Yes to both, just make sure to go with a gluten free soy sauce. Also vegan and dairy free.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

6 servings

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 203Saturated Fat: 6.51gCholesterol: 6.67mgSodium: 59.28mgCarbohydrates: 21.93gFiber: 3.81gSugar: 12.95gProtein: 4.59g

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Asian Kale Salad Recipe with Ginger Peanut Dressing (2024)

FAQs

Should you cook kale before putting in a salad? ›

If you're using raw kale in a salad, and want to alleviate both its bitterness and toughness (without cooking it), you can massage the leaves to break down the fibers. In a large bowl, toss your kale leaves with small amount of olive oil and lemon juice, then massage with your hands for three to five minutes.

What is ginger salad dressing made of? ›

Whisk soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, honey, mustard, and pepper together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Add oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly until incorporated into the dressing. Pour into a glass jar and chill until serving.

How many calories are in Asian kale salad? ›

On The Go Asian Sesame Kale Salad (1 serving) contains 30g total carbs, 24g net carbs, 9g fat, 10g protein, and 230 calories.

How long can you keep kale in dressing? ›

The kale leaves must be dressed at least 20 minutes (or up to 6 hours) before serving. We like to use curly kale in this salad because its curly edges help to hold on to the dressing.

Do you use the stems of kale for salad? ›

But despite all that kale-leaf love, most kale recipes suggest you de-stem the sturdy greens by slicing along the thick middle stalk, use only the (relatively) more tender leaf, and toss the stems into the compost bin.

What is Chinese ginger dressing made of? ›

Directions. Put yogurt, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, onion, garlic, ginger paste, sugar, and black pepper in a blender; blend on High until smooth. Pour dressing into a sealable container, seal, and refrigerate at least 30 minute before serving.

What does PF Chang's ginger dressing taste like? ›

Chang's Home Menu Creamy Ginger Salad Dressing. A taste of ginger and the subtle sweetness of miso combine for a flavorful salad topping that is sure to be a hit.

What is the unhealthiest salad dressing? ›

Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

Is it OK to eat a kale salad everyday? ›

RELATED: Believe It Or Not, Kale Actually Lives Up To All Of Its Hype—Here's Why. Manganiello says you can eat kale every day, just don't overdo it. She recommends one to two servings maximum of kale per day, leaving room for other healthy foods that provide an assortment of nutrients.

Is kale salad better than lettuce? ›

Both kale and romaine lettuce can be healthy choices for Caesar salads, but they offer slightly different nutritional profiles. Kale is considered a superfood due to its high nutrient content. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and calcium.

Is raw kale salad good for you? ›

Kale is one of the healthiest foods on the planet due to its high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Despite being high in goitrins, research shows that a moderate intake of raw kale is unlikely to affect your thyroid health. Plus, raw kale may be more nutritious than cooked varieties.

How do you make kale taste better? ›

Massaging Kale – massaging kale with a little oil and/or lemon juice for just a few minutes makes it more tender and easier to chew. Plus, it adds an extra boost of flavor.

When should you dress a kale salad? ›

Drizzle most of the vinaigrette over and toss. Use your hands to toss the greens, massaging/rubbing the vinaigrette into the kale a bit as you toss. Taste and correct the seasoning with salt and pepper. Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Does kale get soggy with dressing? ›

Does kale get soggy after adding dressing? No! That's the beauty of kale. You can prep this simple kale salad up to an hour before serving it and it will still be crunchy and delicious.

Can you eat raw kale as a salad? ›

Often labeled as a superfood, kale is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. This leafy green comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and textures. It's often eaten raw in salads and smoothies but can also be enjoyed steamed, sautéed, boiled, or baked.

Is it better to eat kale cooked or raw? ›

Raw kale can be hard to digest. Kale's fibrous cell walls may prevent your body from absorbing nutrients, but cooking kale can reduce its antioxidant content. Nutrition experts say steaming kale is a good way to make it easier to digest while preserving most of the nutrients.

Do you have to boil kale before eating it? ›

Kale can also be eaten raw, and the leaves 'massaged' between your fingers with oil or lemon juice to break down some of the fibres, and make it a bit more palatable.

Do you cook kale or eat it raw? ›

Kale holds its texture well when cooked, and it can be steamed, stir-fried, roasted or eaten raw. You can blend it into smoothies, roast it to make kale chips, wilt it into soup, mash it with potatoes or turn it into pesto.

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