This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Kale salad has never been more delicious. This Kale Kimchi Salad is so amazing, you will want to lick the plate! Normal massaged kale can’t compete with this amazing entree salad. And the crazy part is, it’s easy to make!
It’s all in the ingredients
Kale: With the right dressing and plenty of massaging, anyone can love kale salad. Even my daughter, Baby J, does. Kale is high in calcium, betacarotene, protein, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and so much more, including many phytonutrients specific to kale and cruciferous vegetables. Massaging kale in a dressing not only makes it more appetizing, it allows your body to better digest and absorb the nutrients.
Kimchi: You know how I love probiotics for gut health, right? Well, one of my favorite probiotic rich foods is kimchi. Kimchi is a Korean dish similar to sauerkraut. It’s also made from fermented cabbage, and often eaten as a side dish. Even if kimchi had no magical probiotic powers I would still eat it regularly. It is delicious! Kimchi adds so much flavor, texture, and color to food. The crunch and sourness are especially delightful in this salad. Some kimchi is made using fish or shrimp sauce, so make sure yours is vegan. At Whole Foods I recently saw kimchi (Ms.Kim brand) made with beef stock, so be careful!
Avocado: You’ll notice this kale kimchi salad doesn’t have a dressing. Instead I massage the kale with ripe avocado and lemon. Avocado is a great source of B vitamins, vitamin E, and lots more. It is my favorite wholesome fat. It helps to tenderize the kale leaves, and replaces oil in this salad.
Roasted sweet potato: Sweet potato gives this salad more flavor, bulk, color. I love how its sweetness pairs with the kimchi. Sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene, vitamin C (who knew?!), vitamin E, and fiber.
Kimchi Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato, cubed
- 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, + more to taste
- 5 cup kale, chopped, curly kale is my favorite for this recipe
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup vegan kimchi
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas, or try crispy chickpeas
- 3 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with the oil and 1/4 tsp salt, then spread them evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes, until tender.
- Place the chopped kale into a large mixing bowl.
- Add half the avocado (cubed), followed by the lemon juice, and remaining sea salt.
- Using your hands, massage the avocado into the kale until the greens are tender (about 2 minutes).
- Add the kimchi, chickpeas, sweet potato, and seeds.
- Season to taste with more sea salt, and enjoy!
This is delicious. I remixed it a little by using sesame oil instead for more flavor, swapping black beans because it’s what I had, and swapped the sweet potato for brown rice because I was lazy. Anyways it’s delicious and a good base for a salad. Thank you
Stunning Writing!! Keep up the good work.
Thank you! Absolutely. Try tahini dressing. I use it more often that avocado these days since they aren’t really in season now.
Just had it for dinner with a piece of salmon, absolutely delicious!
Your recipes are completely different from others and outstanding. Just love to make your recipes.
Oh wow! I need to get my hands on that one. I love super spicy everything