Crisp Creamy Kale Caesar Salad
A quick and easy kale Caesar salad with a creamy homemade dressing featuring cottage cheese for smoothness and a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large bunch of kale, sturdy leaves, ribs removed, chopped (curly or dinosaur kale both work great)
- 1 cup croutons, store-bought or homemade
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
- 1/2 cup plain cottage cheese (small-curd for smooth texture)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse kale leaves under cold water and pat dry thoroughly. Remove tough ribs by folding the leaf in half and slicing along the stem. Chop kale into bite-sized pieces about 1 to 1.5 inches wide.
- Place chopped kale in a large mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt and drizzle about 1 tablespoon of prepared dressing over the leaves. Massage kale gently but firmly for 2-3 minutes until leaves become darker and tender yet still crisp.
- In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Add a teaspoon of water or olive oil if too thick. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Pour remaining dressing over massaged kale and toss well to coat evenly. Add croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese, then toss gently once more.
- Serve immediately for best texture. If prepping ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.
Notes
Massage kale gently to soften but keep crunch. Dressing thickens after chilling 10 minutes. Use gluten-free croutons for gluten-free option. Swap dairy ingredients for vegan alternatives. Add croutons last to keep them crunchy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: kale salad, Caesar salad, creamy dressing, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, homemade dressing, kale Caesar