Crisp & Zingy Ina Garten’s Kale Salad Recipe For Fresh Meals

Leafy greens reach a whole new level with this Ina Garten kale salad that combines unexpected flavors and textures.

Fresh kale becomes a canvas for delightful ingredients that sing with every bite.

The recipe captures the essence of simple yet sophisticated cooking.

Sharp parmesan and toasted pine nuts dance across crisp kale leaves, creating a harmonious blend of richness and crunch.

Vibrant lemon dressing adds a zesty brightness that cuts through the salad robust greens.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey of taste and nutrition.

You’ll want to make this salad on repeat for every gathering or quiet dinner at home.

How to Keep Kale from Going Limp

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store the dressed salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days, keeping the crispy elements separate to maintain texture.
• Prep Ahead Smartly: Chop kale and make dressing 1 day in advance, storing components separately in the refrigerator to maximize freshness.
• Revive Leftovers: Crisp up bread cubes and pancetta in a skillet before adding back to salad to restore crunchiness when reheating.
• Freeze Dressing Option: Transfer extra dressing to a freezer-safe container, storing up to 3 weeks for future quick meal preparations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 560 kcal

Servings: 4

Ina’s Kale Salad Essentials: What You’ll Need

• Anchovies: Adds rich, umami depth to the dressing with its salty marine flavor.
• Garlic: Provides a sharp, pungent kick that amplifies the overall taste profile.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings tangy complexity and helps emulsify the dressing smoothly.
• Egg Yolks: Creates a silky, creamy texture and binds the ingredients together.
• Lemon Juice: Offers bright, zesty acidity that balances and lifts the dressing.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance and round out the flavors.

• Olive Oil: Delivers a smooth, luxurious base that creates a luscious dressing consistency.
• Pecorino Cheese: Introduces a sharp, salty, and nutty undertone to the dressing.

• Kale: Hearty, nutrient-dense green with robust texture that stands up to rich dressing.
• Pancetta: Delivers crispy, salty meat element with deep porky richness.
• Bread Cubes: Provides crunchy textural contrast and adds rustic, toasted notes.
• Shaved Pecorino: Offers delicate, sharp cheese sprinkled on top for extra flavor complexity.

Chopping Boards & Massage Tips for Kale Success

• Food Processor: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly and emulsifying the mixture.
• Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing and tossing kale salad ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing kale leaves and removing ribs.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Skillet or Sauté Pan: Used for crisping pancetta and toasting bread cubes.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
• Container with Lid: Useful for chilling and storing the prepared dressing.
• Cheese Grater: Required for grating and shaving Pecorino cheese.
• Spatula: Helps scrape and mix ingredients in the food processor.

Steps to a Bold and Beautiful Kale Bowl

Kale Salad Sensation

• Flavor Foundation

Create a zesty base by blending tangy anchovies, bold garlic, sharp mustard, creamy egg yolks, bright lemon juice, and a sprinkle of seasoning in a food processor until silky smooth.

• Dressing Magic

Stream olive oil into the mixture while processing to create a luxurious emulsion, then fold in salty Pecorino cheese for extra depth. Stash the dressing in the fridge to chill.

• Leafy Prep

Strip kale leaves from their sturdy stems, slice into delicate ribbons, and nestle in a spacious mixing bowl.

• Crispy Companions

Sizzle pancetta in a hot pan until golden and crunchy, then transform bread cubes into golden croutons in the same simmering skillet.

• Salad Symphony

Drench kale with the vibrant dressing, then sprinkle with crispy pancetta bits, crunchy croutons, and elegant shavings of Pecorino. Let the salad rest and mingle at room temperature before serving.

Dress It Up with Nuts, Cheese, or Fruits

• Adjust the anchovies and garlic quantities to match your personal flavor preference, creating a milder or more robust dressing.
• Swap pancetta with crispy roasted chickpeas or smoked tempeh for a plant-based protein alternative that adds crunch and depth.
• Experiment with different hard cheeses like aged Parmesan, Grana Padano, or pecorino romano to discover unique flavor profiles.
• Prepare the dressing and chop kale up to 24 hours in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to streamline meal preparation and enhance ingredient integration.
• Add toasted nuts like almonds or pine nuts for extra crunch, or include dried cranberries for a sweet-tangy contrast that complements the savory dressing.

Serve This as a Weekday Lunch or Dinner Side

• Elevate Your Lunch Plate: Turn this kale salad into a stunning main course by adding grilled chicken or seared salmon on top for extra protein and elegance.
• Create a Rustic Gathering: Serve this salad family-style in a large wooden bowl during weekend brunches or casual dinner parties to encourage sharing and conversation.
• Perfect Wine Pairing: Complement the rich, salty flavors of the salad with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio to balance the anchovies and pancetta.
• Make It a Complete Meal: Add quinoa or farro underneath the kale to transform this side dish into a hearty, satisfying lunch that keeps you full and energized.

Vibrant Ina Garten Kale Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s savory kale salad blends crisp greens with tangy lemon vinaigrette and toasted pine nuts. Fresh ingredients create a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for lunch or side accompaniment.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb lacinato kale (dinosaur or Tuscan kale)
• 4 oz pancetta, small-diced
• 1 cup bread cubes (½-inch, crusts removed)
• ½ cup (2 oz) shaved Italian Pecorino cheese
• ¼ cup freshly grated Italian Pecorino cheese
• 2 extra-large egg yolks (room temperature)
• 4 anchovy fillets, drained
• 1 large garlic clove
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons, room temperature)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ⅔ cup good olive oil (plus extra to cook pancetta)

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Pulverize anchovies, garlic, dijon mustard, egg yolks, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth, creating a uniform base.
2. Emulsification Process: While processor runs, slowly stream extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube, allowing the mixture to transform into a creamy consistency. Integrate Pecorino Romano cheese until well blended.
3. Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate dressing in an airtight container for 30 minutes to allow flavor development and harmonization.
4. Kale Transformation: Cleanse kale under cold water, meticulously dry, and remove tough central ribs. Slice leaves into delicate, thin ribbons, placing them in a spacious mixing bowl.
5. Crispy Element Creation: In a heavy-bottomed skillet, render pancetta over medium-high heat until golden and crisp. Using a slotted spoon, extract pancetta and set aside. Toast bread cubes in the same pan until they develop a caramelized, crunchy texture.
6. Final Assembly: Drizzle prepared dressing over kale, gently massaging to soften leaves. Incorporate crisp pancetta, toasted croutons, and Pecorino Romano shavings. Allow salad to rest for 5 minutes at room temperature to enhance flavor melding before serving.

Notes

• Chill Dressing Deeply: Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to allow complex flavor development and ingredient integration.
• Massage Kale Carefully: Gently work dressing into leaves to soften tough texture and enhance overall taste absorption.
• Toast Croutons Perfectly: Watch bread cubes closely during toasting to achieve golden, crispy texture without burning.
• Balance Pancetta Crispness: Remove pancetta from pan when edges turn golden brown to prevent overcooking and maintain delicate crunch.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg