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This chopped kale Caesar salad takes lacinato kale, grated parmesan cheese, and toasted breadcrumbs, drizzled with a creamy, yogurt-based homemade Caesar dressing.
Who doesn’t love a crunchy, satisfying salad on a hot summer night?
This chopped kale caesar salad is a perfect lunch or dinner option on days when you’re hungry but it’s just too hot to cook!
I’ve taken chopped and massaged lacinato kale, with crunchy toasted breadcrumbs, and savory and salty parmesan cheese, and topped it all off with a homemade Caesar dressing.
This homemade Caesar dressing is yogurt-based (hello extra protein,) with all the other usual suspects: salty parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, umami anchovy paste, and earthy garlic.
Trust me, after trying this chopped kale Caesar salad, you’ll never go back to romaine again!
Ingredients for chopped kale Caesar salad
For salad:
- Chopped and massaged lacinato kale – Kale is the star of this salad!
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Who doesn’t love extra salty and savory Parmesan cheese?
- Toasted bread crumbs – I’ve taken panko breadcrumbs and toasted them in a little olive oil to make them extra crunchy on top.
For homemade Caesar dressing:
- Plain Greek yogurt – Greek yogurt adds a nice tanginess to the dressing, and a little extra protein.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Parmesan adds a salty and savory flavor to the dressing.
- Dijon mustard – Dijon mustard is bright and tangy.
- Lemon juice – Lemon juice will add a burst of fresh citrus.
- Olive oil – Olive oil is the base of our dressing and will help create the perfect consistency.
- Anchovy paste – Anchovy paste is a common ingredient in Caesar dressing that adds a layer of umami.
- Garlic – Garlic adds earthiness to the dressing.
- Kosher salt, and black pepper – Salt and pepper are important to make sure all of the flavors are enhanced.
What is lacinato kale?
I’ve used lacinato kale in this chopped kale Caesar salad. But what is lacinato kale?
Lacinato kale, also called Tuscan kale or dinosaur kale, has large, dark green, flat leaves that are milder in flavor than regular kale.
You can find lacinato kale in most major grocery stores in the produce section, or at farmers markets!
Adding protein
If you’re looking to add a little more protein to your chopped kale Caesar salad, here are a few great options:
- Shredded chicken (using a store-bought rotisserie chicken here would be a great time saver!)
- Cooked and cooled quinoa
- Beans (chickpeas especially are tasty here!)
What is Greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt is simply yogurt that has been strained to remove the whey, which is what makes it so thick and delicious!
You can find Greek yogurt in the grocery store right next to regular yogurt.
Storage and leftovers
Unfortunately, this chopped kale Caesar salad is best eaten after it has been prepared, so no leftovers here!
More salad recipes
- Looking for a pasta salad? Try my Summer Pasta Salad
- Want something with a little sweetness? Try my Spinach Berry Salad
- Love all things Mediterranean? Try my Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Need a new salad for your next BBQ? Try my Avocado Corn Salad
Chopped Kale Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For salad:
- 4 cups finely chopped lacinato kale
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
For dressing:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
For salad:
- Add chopped kale to a large bowl and set aside.
- In a medium-sized skillet add the olive oil and set over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot add the panko, stir to combine and coat the breadcrumbs, and cook until toasted. Make sure to keep the panko moving in the pan so it does not burn.
- Let the toasted panko cool off the heat.
- To serve the salad, toss the kale in the desired amount of dressing, and top with toasted panko.
For dressing:
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. Taste and add more kosher salt and black pepper if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
