Fresh & Lively: Ina Garten’s Broccoli & Kale Salad Recipe

This vibrant broccoli and kale salad by Ina Garten bursts with fresh, wholesome flavors that dance on your palate.

Green nutrition meets culinary elegance in every crisp bite.

The recipe combines robust kale with tender broccoli florets, creating a symphony of textures.

Garten’s touch elevates simple ingredients into a remarkable dish that sings with brightness and zest.

Toasted almonds add a delightful crunch, while a tangy dressing ties everything together seamlessly.

The salad offers a perfect balance of health and indulgence, making it an ideal side or light meal.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to experience a salad that will become a new favorite at your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients Packed into Ina Garten’s Broccoli & Kale Salad

• Broccoli: Crisp, nutrient-packed green that adds substantial texture and earthy flavor to the salad, select firm and deeply colored florets for maximum freshness.
• Kale: Robust leafy green with intense nutritional profile, choose dark green leaves without yellowing or wilting for best taste and crunch.

• Eggs: Creamy, rich protein source that elevates the salad's complexity, select fresh, large eggs with firm whites for perfect soft-boiled preparation.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheese that provides tangy depth and salty undertones, opt for authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano for superior flavor.
• Croutons: Crunchy bread cubes that introduce textural contrast, select high-quality artisan bread for homemade or premium store-bought versions.

• Caesar Dressing: Creamy, zesty sauce that binds ingredients and adds luxurious flavor, choose authentic or high-quality prepared dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that enhances overall taste and balances richness, select fresh lemons for most vibrant flavor.
• Salt: Essential mineral for flavor enhancement, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy seasoning that adds gentle heat, freshly ground provides most intense flavor.

Equipment Essentials for Ina’s Superfood Salad

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling broccoli and water for eggs.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing broccoli from boiling water without excess liquid.
• Large Bowl: Needed for mixing broccoli, kale, and salad ingredients.
• Medium Saucepan: Used for boiling eggs precisely.
• Sharp Knife: Required for thinly julienning kale leaves.
• Cutting Board: Provides surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
• Ice Bowl: Helps quickly cool blanched broccoli and stop cooking process.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for precise salt measurements.

Making Broccoli & Kale Salad Ina’s Way

Broccoli & Kale Salad Adventure

• Kitchen Prep Station

Set up your cooking space with a large pot, cutting board, sharp knife, and mixing bowl. Get ready for a delightful culinary journey that transforms simple vegetables into a mouthwatering meal.

• Green Veggie Transformation

Chop broccoli and kale into delicate, tender pieces. Blanch the broccoli quickly in boiling water to create a crisp and vibrant texture that will make your salad pop with freshness.

• Flavor Explosion

Toss the greens with zesty Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, tangy Parmesan, and a splash of bright lemon juice. Each bite promises a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds.

• Egg Perfection

Gently lower eggs into simmering water, creating soft, luxurious centers that will crown your salad with creamy richness. Carefully peel and slice the eggs to reveal their golden, silky interiors.

• Elegant Presentation

Arrange the salad on beautiful plates, nestling the halved eggs on top. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper to elevate the entire dish into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Tips for Mixing Up Ina’s Green Bowl

• Mix in crispy bacon bits or toasted pine nuts for added crunch and depth of flavor.
• Blanch broccoli and chop kale in advance, storing separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days to streamline your cooking process.
• Practice timing soft-boiled eggs by using a kitchen timer and keeping water at a consistent low simmer for consistently creamy yolks.
• Replace kale with Swiss chard or spinach if desired, maintaining similar leafy green nutrition and texture profile.
• Experiment with homemade Caesar or lighter Greek yogurt-based dressings to personalize the salad's taste and reduce calories.

How to Serve Ina Garten’s Healthy Salad

• Elevate Your Dining Experience: Arrange the salad on elegant white plates to showcase the vibrant green broccoli and kale, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation.
• Transform into a Complete Meal: Top with grilled chicken or salmon to add protein and turn this side dish into a satisfying main course that's perfect for lunch or dinner.
• Quick Entertaining Hack: Prepare components ahead of time – blanch broccoli, chop kale, and soft-boil eggs – then assemble just before serving to reduce last-minute kitchen stress during gatherings.
• Customize with Personal Touches: Sprinkle extra Parmesan, add toasted pine nuts, or drizzle with additional Caesar dressing to make the salad uniquely yours and enhance flavor complexity.

Prep & Storage Tips for Broccoli & Kale Mix

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store the salad without eggs and dressing in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and crispness.
• Prepare Ahead: Chop broccoli and kale, toast croutons, and grate Parmesan cheese up to 24 hours before serving to streamline meal preparation.
• Egg Handling: Keep soft-boiled eggs separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days, ensuring they remain at optimal quality.
• Quick Refresh: When ready to serve, quickly toss salad with Caesar dressing and add soft-boiled eggs to revive the original delicious flavors and textures.

Vibrant Ina Garten Broccoli & Kale Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s broccoli & kale salad blends fresh ingredients with a zesty lemon dressing. Garden-fresh vegetables and tangy flavors make this dish a delightful choice for health-conscious diners.

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Ingredients

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• 8 cups/2 bunches broccoli florets, stems removed
• 1 bunch baby kale
• 6 extra-large eggs
• ¼ cup/25 g grated Italian Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup/100 g toasted croutons
• 1 tbsp/15 ml kosher salt
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 to 2 lemons)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Caesar Salad Dressing (recipe follows)

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Instructions

1. Blanching Broccoli: Bring a salted water pot to a vigorous boil, simultaneously preparing an ice bath. Submerge broccoli for precisely 4 minutes, then quickly transfer to ice water, stopping the cooking process. Drain thoroughly.
2. Preparing Kale: Remove tough central ribs from kale leaves, stack, and slice into delicate crosswise strips. Combine with blanched broccoli in a spacious mixing bowl.
3. Dressing the Salad: Drizzle Caesar dressing over the vegetable mixture, gently tossing to ensure even coating. Add croutons, fresh lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Soft-Boiled Eggs: Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a gentle boil. Carefully lower eggs into simmering water. Cook for 6½ minutes, then immediately transfer to cool running water. Peel eggs, preserving the creamy yolk.
5. Plating and Serving: Distribute dressed salad across six dinner plates. Position a soft-boiled egg atop each portion, slicing to allow yolk to cascade over greens. Finish with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Blanch Broccoli Perfectly: Precisely cook for 4 minutes to maintain crisp-tender texture, then shock in ice water to stop cooking and preserve vibrant green color.
• Kale Preparation Technique: Remove tough central ribs completely and slice leaves thinly for optimal tenderness and even dressing absorption.
• Soft-Boiled Egg Mastery: Cook eggs exactly 6½ minutes at low simmer for creamy, runny yolks that beautifully drape over the salad when sliced.
• Serving Strategy: Plate and serve immediately to maintain the salad’s temperature, ingredient integrity, and maximize the sensory experience of fresh, crisp vegetables and luxurious soft-boiled eggs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg