Nourishing Kale Peanut Salad

By Alexandra Caspero on July 11, 2013

Roasted Kale Peanut Salad! A healthy, vegan, and gluten-free kale salad that mimics South Beverly Grill’s version.

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This kale peanut salad recipe comes to you courtesy of our recent LA trip, a salad we both loved at South Beverly Grill. Ribbons of kale and cabbage tossed with a slightly spicy roasted peanut vinaigrette.

If kale had a partner in crime, it might be this dressing. Perfect for meal prep or days when you want to ensure you’re getting your vegetables in, this kale peanut salad is hearty and delicious.

As a Registered Dietitian, I’m a huge fan of kale and eat it often. Though, I know that not everyone enjoys it as much as I do.

Thankfully, this kale peanut salad is one for kale-haters. The trick is massaging the dressing into the ribbons of kale and cabbage and letting that sit for a few minutes before eating. This tenderizes the kale, making for a more pleasant mouth feel. You’ve gotta try it, especially if you don’t think you like kale salads!

Roasted Peanut Kale Salad! A Healthy, Vegan And Gluten Free That Mimics South Beverly Grill'S Version. Kale And Cabbage Salad Tossed With A Roasted Peanut Dressing.

How to Make Kale Peanut Salad

Make the Dressing

Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing: peanut oil, toasted sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup or honey, soy sauce, cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Assemble the Greens

Combine the kale and cabbage together and add in 1/4 cup of the dressing. Massage the dressing into the kale to soften. Let sit for 15 minutes in the fridge.

Toss with Peanuts

Toss the salad with chopped roasted peanuts and enjoy! This one makes a great side dish or full lunch.

Roasted Peanut Kale Salad! A Healthy, Vegan And Gluten Free That Mimics South Beverly Grill's Version. Kale And Cabbage Salad Tossed With A Roasted Peanut Dressing.

Substitution Notes

The key to this recipe is massaging the kale leaves with the dressing. I like the texture of curly kale, but you can use other types of kale as well, like lacinato or dinosaur kale or purple kale.

The fresh herbs of cilantro, parsley and mint really make the salad and I don’t recommend omitting them. However, you can use just one or two if you’d like. This kale peanut salad is great in the summer when your herb garden is full and it’s easy to grab a handful or two of fresh herbs!

You can also add in other vegetables as well. Red bell pepper, finely chopped broccoli or shredded carrots would be pretty in this kale peanut salad. You can also top with cooked protein of choice, like quinoa, my air fryer tofu or my crispy tofu cubes.

More Kale Recipes

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking! 

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A Fresh Kale And Peanut Salad Topped With Shredded Cheese, Ready To Be Enjoyed.

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A Fresh Kale And Peanut Salad Topped With Shredded Cheese, Ready To Be Enjoyed.

Roasted Peanut Kale Salad

  • Author: Alexandra Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: salad, summer, side dish, appetizer
  • Method: no cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Roasted Kale Peanut Salad! A healthy, vegan and gluten-free kale salad that mimics South Beverly Grill’s version.


  • Author: Alexandra Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: salad, summer, side dish, appetizer
  • Method: no cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
  • Author: Alexandra Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: salad, summer, side dish, appetizer
  • Method: no cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Scale

Ingredients

Roasted Peanut Dressing

  • 1/3 cup peanut oil
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or liquid sweetener
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • pinch salt/pepper

Salad

  • 45 cups curly leaf kale, sliced into ribbons
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped

Instructions

  1. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until an emulsion forms, set aside.
  2. Combine all ingredients for the salad, except the peanuts. Add 1/4 cup of the dressing and, using your washed hands, massage into the kale and cabbage. If you need more dressing, add 1-2 tablespoons at a time until dressed. Let sit for 15 minutes in the refrigerator so the flavors can combine.
  3. Top with chopped peanuts and serve.

did you make this?

Tag @delishknowledge on Instagram and hashtag it #delishknowledge

Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

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    1. Eweems
      August 1, 2013 AT 7:14 pm

      OMG! He cleaned his plate and asked for the salad to be on our regular rotation. WooHoo! I then informed him that it was kale and cabbage and he said “I guess I like it now! I’ll have to investigate more of your recipes. This one was out of the park!

      1. DK
        August 2, 2013 AT 11:28 am

        So happy to hear! I think the secret is cutting the kale into small, shredded pieces! That’s what I do with BL on foods he doesn’t like… works like a charm 😉

    2. Eweems
      August 1, 2013 AT 6:39 pm

      My husband hates kale and I’m making this for him tonight. I just told him I’m making a “special” salad 😛 I tried it out for lunch and I’m hooked. So delicious!! I substituted green onion for mint and used a few teaspoons of simple syrup instead of maple syrup. I’ll let you know what my husband’s reaction is.

      1. DK
        August 1, 2013 AT 6:53 pm

        Yay! I’m glad you like it.. hope your husband does as well 🙂 Let me know the outcome!

    3. Annie
      July 11, 2013 AT 9:27 am

      The dressing – gotta try it!

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