Strawberry Kale Honey Lemon (Print View)

Crisp kale tossed with strawberries, feta, and a bright honey lemon dressing for a refreshing, healthy meal.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables & Fruit

01 - 6 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
02 - 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds
05 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tablespoon honey
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well emulsified.
02 - Place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Pour half of the dressing over the kale and massage the leaves with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes until they soften, wilt slightly, and darken in color.
03 - Add the sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese to the massaged kale. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Top with toasted sliced almonds and serve immediately for the freshest flavor and best texture.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The honey lemon dressing bridges the gap between earthy kale and bright berries in a way that surprises people every single time.
  • Massaging the kale changes its entire personality, turning tough leaves into something tender and almost buttery without a minute of cooking.
02 -
  • Skip the kale massage step and you will end up with a jaw workout instead of a salad, because raw kale fights back.
  • Dress the salad too far ahead and the strawberries will weep pink juice into the leaves, making everything soggy and sad.
03 -
  • Strip kale leaves from the stem by pinching the base of the stem and pulling upward in one smooth motion, far faster than chopping around each rib.
  • A pinch of lemon zest added to the dressing gives it an aromatic lift that makes people ask what your secret is.

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