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Home / Recipes
10 minutes
4.5 from 4 votes
4 Comments

Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

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by: Joanna Cismaru
09.03.19
Updated: 10.03.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette is fresh and delicious, loaded with good for you ingredients like kale, blueberries and apples then drizzled with a yummy blueberry vinaigrette!

pouring dressing over a salad with kale, apples, and blueberries

I have great kale salad for you because it’s good for you and as much as I always say I’m not a kale fan, I found a way that I can eat it and enjoy it. My secret is to cut it really small. Simple but believe me it works.

I know we’re all trying to eat a bit healthier now so this salad is perfect for that because it’s nutritious and also delicious. The key is in the homemade vinaigrette, believe me homemade is always better. Loaded with fresh blueberries, crumbled feta, and crisp sweet apples, this salad will redefine the way you think about salads.

To start with, I drizzled a bit of olive oil and lime juice over the finely chopped kale and then tossed it really well, making sure every little piece of kale is going to pop with flavor. Sometimes I’ll even go in there with my hands, clean hands of course, and rub the kale with the oil and lime juice for a few minutes until it almost feels like it’s wilting a bit. This is called massaging the kale and helps break down some of its toughness.

a bowl of chopped kale

How To Massage Your Kale

First you’ll want to rip the kale from its thick stem and cut it up into thin little ribbons. Pour your olive oil and lime juice over top and massage with bare hands similar to how you would knead dough. Massage for ideally 10 minutes to break down how tough and fibrous raw green kale can be.

Ingredients

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Salad

  • Veggies – Green kale with the stems removed, finely chopped and massaged. We’re also using sliced avocado.
  • Fruits – Chopped apples and fresh blueberries.
  • Cheese – Crumbled feta, omit if you’d prefer but I really think it makes it.
  • Olive oil – A few glugs of the nice stuff to toss the salad with.
  • Lime juice – Nice and acidic, preferably fresh from approximately 1 fresh lime.
  • Seeds – Sunflower seeds are a great way to add some crunch, protein, and nutrients to the salad.
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper to taste.

Blueberry vinaigrette

  • Blueberries – Fresh is best, believe me it’ll add some much dimension and freshness to your salad.
  • Lemon juice – Again we want nice and fresh lemon juice, the juice from approximately 1 lemon.
  • Honey – We want to add some sweetness to balance out all the acidity in our vinaigrette.
  • Balsamic – We need something with nice acidic dimension, feel free to use any vinegar you may have hanging around but balsamic is ideal.
  • Water – We want something to thin out our vinaigrette a little bit.
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper to taste.
a kale salad loaded with avocado, apples blueberries, and feta.

How To Make Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

  1. Prep the kale: In a large bowl add the kale, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss really well making sure that all the kale is covered in oil and lime juice. If you’d like to massage your kale now is the time to do it.
  2. Add the rest of the salad ingredients: Add the chopped apples, blueberries, avocado, feta cheese and sunflower seeds.
  3. Make the vinaigrette: In a blender add all the vinaigrette ingredients and blend until smooth.
  4. Finish the salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve.

How to Serve

I mean sometimes I’ll just sit down with a big bowl of this salad and go to town and sometimes I’ll pair it alongside some perfectly delicious and tender entrees. Either way it is a real winner

  • Beer Can Chicken
  • Beef Brisket Gyros
  • Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Perfect Pulled Pork
  •  Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Instant Pot BBQ Pork Ribs
  • Garlic and Paprika Chicken
  • Lemon Dill Pan Fried Salmon
a bowl full of kale salad with blueberries, apple, sunflower seeds, and feta.

What Else Can I Use In This Kale Salad

Feel free to get creative with this salad! It feature a dressing that is so divine it’ll pair well with anything!

  • Chicken
  • Bacon
  • Goat cheese
  • Pear
  • Pecans
  • Toasted almonds
  • Dried cranberries

Leftovers

Your salad will keep for up to 3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just be sure to leave the vinaigrette off of it till you’re ready to eat otherwise it may cause the kale to wilt. This recipe does not freeze well as it won’t thaw properly.

Vinaigrette

Sealed in an airtight container this dressing will keep for for up to 1 week in the fridge.

kale salad on a large platter with blueberry vinaigrette in the background

Craving More Salad? Try These Delicious Recipes

  • Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Warm Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash
  • Creamy Cucumber Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn Slaw
  • Greek Salad
  • Fattoush Salad
  • Mediterranean Couscous Salad
  • Waldorf Salad
  • Chicken Shawarma Tabbouleh Salad

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side view shot of the blueberry vinaigrette being poured over the kale salad

Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

4.5 from 4 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
This Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette is fresh and delicious, loaded with good for you ingredients like kale, blueberries and apples then drizzled with a yummy blueberry vinaigrette!

Ingredients

  • 8 cups kale stems removed and finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp lime juice fresh
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
  • 1 apple cored and sliced
  • 1 cup blueberries fresh
  • 1 avocado peeled, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 2 tbsp sunflower seeds

For Blueberry Vinaigrette

  • 1/2 cup blueberries fresh
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1/8 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl add the kale, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss really well making sure that all the kale is covered in oil and lime juice.
  • Add the chopped apples, blueberries, avocado, feta cheese and sunflower seeds. 
  • In a blender add all the vinaigrette ingredients and blend until smooth.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve.

Recipe Notes

  1. You can top this salad with your favorite toppings; feel free to get creative. For example, pecans, goat cheese, pears, and the blueberries would also be amazing!
  2. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 219gCalories: 276kcal (14%)Carbohydrates: 23g (8%)Protein: 7g (14%)Fat: 20g (31%)Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)Cholesterol: 11mg (4%)Sodium: 420mg (18%)Potassium: 691mg (20%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 9g (10%)Vitamin A: 9056IU (181%)Vitamin C: 118mg (143%)Calcium: 204mg (20%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
Course:Lunch, Salad
Cuisine:American
Keyword:blueberry vinaigrette, kale, kale salad, salad
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    February 11, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was delightful! The dressing really was the star of the show. I enjoyed eating the kale much better after “massaging” it. I made some pan seared boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in a garlic white wine marinade and seasoned with some lemon pepper and it was FANTASTIC with the salad!

    Will DEFINITELY be making this again!

    Reply
  2. le lenny face says

    April 13, 2017 at 12:56 am

    5 stars
    :The Blueberry Vinaigrette looks so amazing~ The color of kale, blueberry and other ingredients together is so divine. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      April 13, 2017 at 8:55 am

      My pleasure!

      Reply
  3. Sara @ Last Night's Feast says

    January 6, 2017 at 6:53 am

    I love this flavor combination!

    Reply

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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