Heart-Healthy Zesty Kale Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Brighten up your mealtime with this Heart-Healthy Zesty Kale Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette, a vitamin-packed dish loaded with flavor and goodness! Featuring tender massaged kale tossed in a tangy, homemade citrus vinaigrette crafted from fresh lemon and orange juice, Dijon mustard, and a touch of maple syrup, this salad is both nutritious and delightfully zesty. Topped with creamy avocado, crisp radishes, sweet mandarin segments, and crunchy toasted almonds, it’s the perfect balance of textures and tastes. Ready in just 15 minutes, this no-cook recipe is ideal for a quick, wholesome lunch or a vibrant side dish that’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and rich in heart-healthy ingredients. Whether you're embracing a clean-eating lifestyle or simply seeking a refreshing salad option, this kale salad is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups kale
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 clove garlic clove (minced)
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.125 teaspoons black pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 whole avocado (diced)
• 3 whole radishes (thinly sliced)
• 0.25 cups toasted almonds (sliced or slivered)
• 1 cup mandarin segments (peeled and separated)

Directions

Step 1

Wash and thoroughly dry the kale. Remove the tough stems and chop the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

Place the kale in a large salad bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice over the kale and massage the leaves for about 2-3 minutes to soften them. This step makes the kale more tender and less bitter.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is well combined.

Step 4

Pour the citrus vinaigrette over the massaged kale and toss to coat the leaves evenly.

Step 5

Add the diced avocado, thinly sliced radishes, toasted almonds, and mandarin segments to the salad bowl. Gently toss to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 7

Serve immediately for the freshest flavor. Enjoy your heart-healthy zesty kale salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(714.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	896.3

Total Fat 67.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 816.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 71.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.6g	0%
Total Sugars 37.3g
Protein 16.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 588.0mg	0%
Iron 5.0mg	0%
Potassium 2044.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.4%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 29.8%