This easy kale salad combines tender kale, sweet strawberries, creamy feta, crunchy almonds, and a simple homemade vinaigrette for a fresh summer side that's ready in just 15 minutes.
If you're looking for another hearty kale salad, my kale garbanzo bean salad is packed with creamy avocado, crunchy roasted chickpeas, and a tangy lemon Dijon vinaigrette for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Recipe Summary: Easy Kale Salad with Strawberries and Feta
- ✅ Recipe Name: Easy Kale Salad with Strawberries and Feta
- 🕒 Ready In: 15 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 4 (easy to scale)
- 🍽 Calories: 169 per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Kale, strawberries, feta, scallions, slivered almonds
- 📖 Dietary Info: Make-a-head friendly, kid-friendly
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: This versatile salad pairs with everything from grilled harissa chicken and burgers to steak and seafood, making it an easy side you'll come back to all summer long.
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This easy kale salad is one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh summer produce. Sweet strawberries, creamy feta, crunchy almonds, and a bright lemon Dijon dressing transform hearty kale into a salad that's flavorful enough to steal the spotlight from the main course.
The simple homemade dressing adds fresh, zesty flavor. It's an easy side dish for everything from stuffed zucchini boats to air fryer salmon filets to air fryer roast chicken, and it holds up beautifully for meal prep.
If you're looking for more fresh summer salads, don't miss my kale avocado salad or Italian tortellini pasta salad.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Fresh, vibrant flavors: Sweet strawberries, tangy feta, crunchy almonds, and tender kale create the perfect balance in every bite.
- A homemade dressing that ties it all together: A simple vinaigrette lightly coats the kale and lets the fresh ingredients shine.
- Ready in just 15 minutes: Quick enough for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a last-minute side for cookouts and BBQs.
- Perfect for any occasion: Serve it alongside grilled meats, pack it for lunch, or bring it to potlucks where it always disappears fast.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Fresh kale: The hearty base of the salad that softens beautifully once massaged.
- Fresh strawberries: Add natural sweetness and juicy bites that balance the earthy kale.
- Feta cheese: Brings a creamy, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet berries.
- Slivered almonds: Toasted, to add a buttery crunch for contrast in every bite.
- Scallions: Provide a mild onion flavor without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
- Olive oil: Forms the base of the simple homemade dressing and helps tenderize the kale.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the salad and adds fresh acidity.
- Dijon mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing while adding a subtle tangy depth.
- Honey: Balances the acidity with just the right touch of sweetness.
See the recipe card at the end for the full list of ingredients with the quantities.
Variations
| Swap the berries | Try blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or apples. |
| Change the cheese | Use goat cheese or shaved Parmesan instead of feta. |
| Add protein | Top with grilled chicken, salmon, or chickpeas for a heartier meal. |
How to make Easy Kale Salad with Strawberries and Feta
- Step 1: Toast the almonds in a dry pan for 5-7 minutes, moving the pan frequently, until just browned. Immediately remove to a plate to cool.
- Step 2: Remove tough stems from kale, remove leaves and chop or tear into small pieces, wash, dry, and add to a bowl.
- Step 3: Drizzle a bit of olive oil onto the kale, and season with salt and pepper. Massage with your hands until bright green and reduced in size, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 4: Whisk or shake together dressing ingredients.
- Step 5: Add sliced strawberries and scallions, and toss with dressing until evenly coated.
- Step 6: Top with cooled toasted almonds and feta.
Expert Tips
- Massage the kale for 1–2 minutes with the dressing to soften the leaves and reduce bitterness.
- Toast the almonds before adding them for extra crunch and a richer flavor.
- Wait to add the feta and almonds until just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
- Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best balance with the tangy feta and lemon dressing.
Easy Kale Salad FAQs
A tangy homemade vinaigrette is one of the best dressings for kale salad, since the acidity helps soften the leaves while adding plenty of flavor. Lemon-based dressings, balsamic vinaigrettes, honey mustard, or a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing all pair well with kale. For this recipe, a lemon mustard vinaigrette perfectly balances the hearty kale with fresh, bright flavor.
The biggest mistake is skipping the step of massaging the kale. Gently rubbing the leaves with a little olive oil or dressing helps soften the texture, and reduces bitterness. Other common mistakes include using too much dressing, not removing the tough stems, or serving the salad immediately instead of letting it sit for 10–15 minutes so the flavors can meld.
If you tried this Easy Kale Salad with Strawberries and Feta or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Easy Kale Salad with Strawberries and Feta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of kale
- ¼ cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup thinly sliced strawberries
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
Maple Dijon Dressing
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil , plus more for massaging kale
- 1 clove finely minced/pressed garlic
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat a small frying pan over medium-low heat, and add slivered almonds. Cook, moving occasionally and keeping an eye on them to prevent burning, until well toasted, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate, and allow to cool completely before adding to salad.
- Remove tough stems from kale, chop or tear leaves into small pieces, clean and dry well, and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and massage gently with your hands until wilted and reduced in volume by about half.
- Thinly slice strawberries and scallions, and add to bowl with kale.
- Make the dressing: Whisk, shake or blend all dressing ingredients together until well combined., Then toss with the kale, strawberries, and scallions.
- Allow salad to rest for 10-15 minutes for a better texture. Top with toasted almonds and crumbed feta just before serving.
Sharon says
This Kale salad is such a light and delicious summer treat, with a perfectly tangy dressing, tangy feta, and fresh, sweet and complementary strawberries.