Description
A crunchy, savory chopped kale salad featuring massaged Lacinato kale, thick-cut crispy bacon, homemade parmesan crisps, and a tangy apple cider vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large bunches Lacinato kale (about 10–12 cups chopped)
- 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Gala), thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- ¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Form small mounds of grated parmesan (about 1 tablespoon each) spaced 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes until golden and bubbling. Cool for 2 minutes until hardened, then break into shards.
- Keep oven at 400°F. Lay bacon strips in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble when cool.
- Wash and dry kale. Remove stems and chop leaves into 1-inch pieces.
- Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage kale with hands for 2-3 minutes until leaves darken and soften.
- In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and salt. Slowly drizzle in remaining olive oil while whisking to emulsify.
- Add massaged kale, sliced apple, dried cranberries, and red onion to the large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over top and toss to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Just before serving, add crumbled bacon and parmesan crisp shards. Toss gently and serve immediately.
Notes
Massage the kale thoroughly to remove bitterness and tough fibers. Keep bacon and parmesan crisps separate until serving to maintain crunch. Store dressed kale in the fridge for up to 2 days, but add fresh toppings just before eating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 12
Keywords: kale salad, crispy bacon, parmesan crisps, healthy salad, meal prep, gluten-free salad, autumn salad