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.
I really like this dish! The dressing is not too heavy and the capers are a nice touch!
I’m so glad you loved it!
This Kale Caesar was great and felt so healthy! Love the different textures with the avocado, chickpeas and croutons. We topped with some chicken for extra protein. Great for dinner and lunch the next day!
I’m so glad you loved it!
This Kale Caesar was great and felt so healthy! Love the variety of textures with the avocado, chickpeas and croutons. We topped with some chicken for a little extra protein. Great for dinner and lunch the next day.
So easy and delicious!
Made this and used the yogurt based dressing. Used lemon olive oil to massage the kale. Absolutely delicious
I especially love this Kale Caesar Salad for the addition of romaine. The mix of textures makes this delicious and unique! The vegan Caesar dressing is simple and tasty as well – a keeper!
We love the combo of the different greens as well. So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Easy and flavorful Caesar salad recipe, fun to make and great add onto most main dishes. I’ll be making again!
So glad you loved it!
I made this because it was the cooking club recipe. I wouldn’t have made it otherwise as my husband doesn’t like kale. But he ended up thinking kale done this way was delicious .
I’m so glad you both enjoyed the salad! We always love hearing about a kale convert 🙂
I made the vegan caesar dressing and it was so good and delicious! Healthy as well! Like the capers and added more lemon juice.
I’m so glad you loved the dressing!
This was super easy to make and so delicious! Definitely adding to my salad rotation!
I’m so glad you loved it!
So delicious! My entire family loved it with our pizza tonight.
So glad it was a hit!
I wasn’t sure about the chickpeas, but I’m so glad I tried them, they ended up totally making the salad. This salad was so good, I’ve made it twice this month already!
I’m so glad you’re loving it!
I made this salad for a small gathering of girlfriends last night and it was a hit. The chickpeas and croutons really added a delicious crunch to the salad… and I have some leftovers for my lunch today!
I’m so glad the salad was a hit!
Delicious! Even our 5 year old loved it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the dressing and adding the roasted chickpeas!
Hi Charlie, so glad you enjoyed it!
This salad is amazing! Skipped the chickpeas but will definitely try them next time I make this. I used homemade focaccia for the croutons and used your recipe for the vegan Caesar dressing – SO good! I literally could eat this every day for lunch.
So glad you loved it! I know, I could eat this salad every day too. 🙂
Loved this – the dressing with the Greek yogurt base is AMAZING!!
So glad you loved it!
I love kale, Caesar salad! This one was so easy. Living alone, I love to cook simple dishes that can be used as leftovers. Kyle stands up for at least another day to this dressing, which has just the right balance of salt, garlic, lemon. You really don’t need, the egg at all! I skipped the croutons, but I love the baked chickpeas. I have made these before as appetizers for friends. I tossed these with some ras el hanout I made earlier in the week. Thank you for another wonderful recipe!
Hi Tom, I’m so glad you loved the salad!
This is just like one of my favorite salads at Dish Society! Go easy on the dressing, a little goes a long way. I forgot avocados and didn’t even miss them!
So glad you loved it!
Subbed feta for parm and added some boiled shrimp – delicious!!
So glad you loved the salad!