Garlic Parmesan Kale Salad (Printable)

Vibrant kale salad with creamy garlic-Parmesan dressing and crunchy toasted breadcrumbs. Easy, vegetarian, and ready in 20 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale, stems removed and leaves torn (about 8 cups)
02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Garlic Parmesan Dressing

04 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
05 - 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 large garlic clove, finely minced
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toasted Breadcrumbs

11 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
12 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

14 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
15 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Place torn kale leaves in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Massage the kale with clean hands for 2-3 minutes until leaves darken and become tender. Set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add panko breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
04 - Pour garlic Parmesan dressing over massaged kale and toss to coat evenly. Top with toasted breadcrumbs and shaved Parmesan cheese.
05 - Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with additional freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The kale gets tender and sweet after a good massage, no more bitter chewing.
  • Toasted breadcrumbs add crunch that makes every bite feel less like health food and more like comfort.
  • The garlic Parmesan dressing is so good you'll want to put it on everything.
  • It takes twenty minutes total and you'll feel like a competent human afterward.
02 -
  • Don't skip the massage step or the kale will be tough and bitter, those two minutes make all the difference.
  • Toast the breadcrumbs just before serving or they'll get soggy sitting in the dressing.
  • If the dressing feels too thick, thin it with a teaspoon of water or extra lemon juice.
03 -
  • Let the kale sit for five minutes after massaging so it gets even more tender before you dress it.
  • Use a microplane to grate the Parmesan super fine so it melts right into the dressing.
  • If you want extra crunch, toss in some toasted sunflower seeds along with the breadcrumbs.
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