Sugar-Free Zesty Kale Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Brighten up your mealtime with this invigorating Sugar-Free Zesty Kale Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette! Packed with nutrient-rich kale, creamy avocado, crunchy toasted sunflower seeds, and bursts of color from red bell pepper and onion, this salad is as delicious as it is nutritious. The star of the recipe is the tangy homemade citrus vinaigrette, made with fresh lemon and orange juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic—completely sugar-free but bursting with flavor. Massaging the kale with the dressing ensures tender, flavorful greens, while the vibrant combination of textures creates a satisfying bite. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, this easy, refreshing salad is perfect for a light lunch, a healthy side, or meal prep. Healthy, flavorful, and simple, this recipe is sure to become a favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups kale
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium avocado
• 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds
• 0.5 cup red bell pepper
• 0.25 cup red onion

Directions

Step 1

Wash and thoroughly dry the kale. Remove the stems and tear the kale into bite-sized pieces. Place the kale in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

To make the citrus vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Alternatively, shake the ingredients together in a jar with a tight lid.

Step 3

Pour half of the citrus vinaigrette over the kale. Using clean hands, massage the dressing into the kale for about 2-3 minutes until the leaves soften and darken in color.

Step 4

Dice the avocado and add it to the salad. Slice the red bell pepper into thin strips and finely chop the red onion, then toss both into the bowl with the kale.

Step 5

Add the toasted sunflower seeds for a bit of crunch and pour the remaining vinaigrette over the salad. Toss everything gently to combine.

Step 6

Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(543.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	900.4

Total Fat 81.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1373.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 39.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.5g	0%
Total Sugars 10.2g
Protein 15.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 444.2mg	0%
Iron 4.9mg	0%
Potassium 1708.6mg	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: 77.3%

Protein: 6.3%

Carbs: 16.4%