This kale Caesar salad features tender greens, garlic croutons, and a creamy homemade dressing. Serve it as a flavor-packed side or a meal all on its own.
If you think a traditional Caesar salad is good, wait until you try this kale Caesar salad! It features everything you love about a classic Caesar. It has crisp romaine, garlicky croutons, a creamy, savory dressing, and Parmesan cheese, but I throw leafy green kale into the mix too. The dark, curly leaves make the salad feel lush and abundant. Plus, once they’re massaged with olive oil and a little salt, they take on a tender texture that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy lettuce.
This kale Caesar salad recipe would be a perfect side dish for any meal this season (special occasions included!). But if you’re anything like me, you’ll like this recipe so much that you’ll want to put it at the center of your plate. If that’s the case, pile this kale Caesar salad with crispy chickpeas and diced avocado, and you’ll have a great healthy lunch.
Kale Caesar Salad Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this kale Caesar salad:
- Kale, of course! I like the texture of green curly kale here. In a pinch, lacinato kale (aka dinosaur kale) would be fine too.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – You’ll massage it into the kale to soften the leaves.
- Romaine lettuce – The blend of kale + romaine offers the perfect balance of tender greens and refreshing crunch.
- Croutons – These homemade garlic ones are delish, though store-bought would work too.
- Shaved Parmesan cheese – Sub in vegan Parm if you prefer!
- Roasted chickpeas and avocado – Optional, but super yummy. They make this salad a bit more substantial if you want to enjoy it on its own for lunch.
- The dressing – Ok, so a classic Caesar salad dressing is made with egg yolks, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese. It is a) not vegetarian and b) a bit fussy to make at home. So here, I have two alternatives for you. One has a Greek yogurt base, and it’s easy to stir together by hand. The other is totally vegan(!), and it’s made in a blender with a cashew base. Both are super creamy, and in each, lemon juice, mustard, and capers deliver the tangy, briny flavor you want in a Caesar dressing. You can’t go wrong with either!
- And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Kale Caesar Salad
This kale Caesar salad recipe is super simple to make!
Start by making the croutons and dressing. Find my homemade crouton recipe here. Then, pick either my Greek yogurt Caesar dressing or my vegan Caesar dressing. Both are quick and easy to make! If you’re using the roasted chickpeas, make them now too.
Next, massage the kale. Tear the kale leaves off the stems (you can discard the stems, or save them to blend into pesto or a smoothie). Tear or chop the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces, and place them in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and a pinch of salt, and use your hands to massage the kale until it softens and wilts down.
Then, add the romaine. Toss to mix it with the kale. Pour on half the dressing and toss again.
Transfer the salad to a serving dish. Top it with the croutons and Parmesan. Drizzle on the remaining dressing, and add the chickpeas and avocado, if you like. Season with fresh black pepper to taste, and enjoy!
Kale Caesar Salad Serving Suggestions
Topped with the avocado and chickpeas, this kale Caesar salad is a wonderful healthy lunch. It’s also a crowd-pleasing side dish. Serve it with your favorite protein, veggie burgers, or homemade pizza, or pair it with one of these comforting classics:
If you want to get ahead, you can make the dressing and croutons and massage the kale up to 2 days in advance. Store the kale and dressing in the fridge, and store the croutons in an airtight container at room temperature until you’re ready to serve. Fully assemble the salad just before you eat.
More Favorite Salad Recipes
If you love this kale Caesar salad, try one of these delicious salad recipes next:
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
- Simple Green Salad
- Rainbow Kale Salad
- Niçoise Salad
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Greek Salad
- Or any of these 51 Best Salad Recipes!
Kale Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 1 bunch curly kale, stemmed
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- Homemade Caesar Dressing or Vegan Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup Homemade Croutons
- Shaved Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan
- Roasted chickpeas, optional
- 1 avocado, diced, optional
Instructions
- Tear the kale into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Use your hands to massage the leaves until they wilt.
- Add the romaine and toss. Drizzle with half the dressing and toss again.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the croutons and Parmesan. Add more dressing, roasted chickpeas, and avocado, if desired, and serve.
Delicious Caesar salad! Definitely make the homemade croutons and roasted chickpeas with it – they are easy and extra yummy!
Hi Sheridan, so glad you loved it!
Made this for the January Cooking Club and it was delcious! I love the addition of the roasted chickpeas and avocado.
Hi Mika, I’m so glad you loved the salad!
I’m usually not a big fan of Caesar salads but this one I really liked. It must be the hardy kale and the delicious roasted chickpeas. I added smoked paprika to the chickpeas after pulling them out of the oven and that made them quite tasty. The dressing is very easy to make and perfect for the salad. The recipe makes a rather large salad so now I have lunches for the week. Yum! Adding the avocado and shaved Parmesan made this the perfect salad.
Hi Annika, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
OMG! Simple, flavorful, and crunchy! I loved the dressing.
Love how healthy and nutritious this recipe! Really enjoyed the crunch and flavor of the homemade croutons.
Hi Meredith, So glad you loved it!
Simply delicious! The post picture looked so good that I had to try this salad with the homemade Caesar dressing for a healthy lunch option. Yowza, this salad was divine! So filling and satisfying too! The dressing is great too….I did dilute it with water because we prefer thinner dressings. Honestly, my hubby and I could drink this stuff…and we wouldn’t feel one bit guilty knowing how healthy it is! I’ve already made this salad 2-3 times last week and it’s definitely something I could eat every day! I did skip the garlic croutons (I know, just not right), but the salad was so delicious with the crispy chickpeas that I didn’t miss them. Thank you for this wonderful recipe! It’s definitely a keeper!
Hi Zara, I’m so glad you both loved the salad and the dressing so much!
Such a yummy salad with a good crunch. This one is my rotation. I’ve only made it using the vegan dressing.
I’m so glad you’ve loved it!
Loved the salad but discovered I’m not a fan of thick greek yogurt. Will definitely make again with an adjustment to the dressing for that reason only. My husband had the salad with just everything bagel seasoning instead of the dressing.
Crunchy and yummy! Definitely need to use all
the dressing. Will add then chickpeas to leftovers for lunch.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
My family loved this salad… I added black eyed peas as part of a New Year’s tradition. 😍
I’m so glad it was a hit!
We really enjoyed this salad! I can never resist a vegan Caesar salad and this one is so good! Love the addition of roasted chickpeas for crunch and protein.
I’m so glad you’ve loved it!
Loved the Kale Caesar Salad. We had it as a main dish, using the vegetarian yogurt Caesar dressing. Croutons – I used Portuguese rolls to make them and they were so airy and perfect! Chickpeas were so tasty.
So glad you enjoyed the salad!
Sooo good! Even my boyfriend who doesn’t like salads loved it.
Made with L&L croutons and the L&L vegan ceasar dressing. Croutons were perfection with garlic, made with base culture gluten free sourdough. Then topped with blackened chicken!
10/10 will make again
That sounds so good! I’m so glad you enjoyed the salad.
This was fantastic! My husband went back for thirds!
Haha yay! So glad you loved the salad!
So easy but delicious! I subbed hard-boiled eggs for the avocado and added some sliced apple and will be lunching on this all week. Thank you!
Sounds fantastic! So glad you’re enjoying the salad.
Love this! Perfect for a light lunch
So glad you enjoyed it!
Love this!
Love the salad it is soo good! I definitely recommend this very yummy ❤️
So glad you loved it!
Looks fabulous! With all the holiday gatherings and cookie overload, I find myself craving vegetables and healthy food. This will be on the lunch menu for the week
Hi Janet, I hope you love it!
nice practical salad i will try it
wow, such a great recipe..🧡
So glad you loved it!