Typically all salads carry a refreshing factor, but Citrus Vinaigrette Strawberry Mango Kale Salad is unique in every sense of the word.
You’ve got your protein, your good fats, your greens, some sweetness, and the perfect balance of sour and sweet in the vinaigrette.
What more could you possibly want from one salad? Oh, it’s a SHOWSTOPPER! This will be the most attractive centerpiece on a dinner table any time!
Don’t You Just Want to Stare at it All Day?
Healthy Kale Salad
Many years ago, before I was the one in the kitchen making all the dishes, I wouldn’t even think of eating a salad like this. All these diverse flavors and textures mixed into one dish would have been the furthest thing from my mind.
But, as you all probably already know, our palate advances as our age does.
I’m still young 😉, but as I’ve grown and become the chef of my own kitchen, I’ve learned a few valuable lessons. A lot of what I couldn’t imagine before in terms of flavor combos are usually what turn out to be the most delectable.
This salad is everything from satisfying, to fulfilling, to beautiful, and possibly very close to happiness in salad form lol!
The Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing
There’s a lot to be said about this particular vinaigrette. Some people aren’t big fans of oranges. They don’t eat them, nor do they like drinking orange juice. I’m definitely not judging because I get it.
But trust me when I tell you that this mixture of flavors will sway you in the way of oranges! This is a great way to get your dose of vitamin c, but with so much added flavor.
The honey balances the sour and tang from the orange and vinegar. Olive oil balances texture and also adds a buttery flavor. Add your pepper and salt and mix away for an amazing salad dressing!
Don’t shy away from changing the ingredients up to fit your own preferences. You can add some extra spice by using a bit of cayenne pepper. Want more tang, go for a squirt of lemon or lime! Looking for extra level of flavor, add some herbs, fresh or dry, your choice!
Kale and Red Onions: A Veggie Love Story
Once upon a time, a long time ago, some genius decided to pick a bunch of kale. He/she decided that the green kale on its own wasn’t attractive enough to the eye.
So, he picked a red onion and sliced and added it atop the kale. It was love at first bite, and they’ve been a marriage made in heaven since then. LOL! Ok, silly love stories aside, kale and onions are a great flavor combination.
Onions bring a crunch to the softness of the kale. They also really brighten up any dish they are used in!
Salads can be garnished with so many different things!
Why Add Strawberry and Mango?
What flavors marry best with zesty and tangy? Sweet obviously! The strawberries and mangoes offer a sweetened up taste in contrast to the tartness of the citrus dressing.
Both fruits also offer differing textures which also create a nice contrast and combination for your taste buds! Of course, there’s that added aesthetic bonus of how beautiful their colors are, making this dish attractive on any spread! Most obviously, as everything else in this salad, they carry added benefits!
Strawberries:
- rich in fiber, vitamin c, and potassium among other nutrients
- help improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and improve your blood lipid profile
- aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels
- may help prevent cancer
Mangoes:
- high in antioxidants
- may help boost immunity
- supports heart health
- helps with digestion
Once you’ve assembled your salad, just drizzle that vinaigrette all over it!
The Hearty Part: Avocado and Cheese!
The avocadoes and cheese add a very satisfying component to this salad. That’s why I mentioned that you can serve this salad as a main dish. Many people are left unsatisfied, and literally hungry a short 30 minutes or so after eating a salad.
This salad isn’t like that! The good fats in the avocado and cheddar cheese take a little more time in having them get digested. That’s good news because they keep you fuller longer!
Meaning if you had a large plate of this salad for lunch, you could easily go a few hours without feeling hungry until dinner time!
The cheese I used is New York Style Sharp Cheddar cheese! It’s not a usual cheese used in salads. People are more used to using cheeses like feta or blue cheese.
Which by the way would work just as well with this recipe if you prefer. But you must try it with these cheddar cheese! It makes for an out-of-this-world combination of flavors and textures!
A Satisfying and Delicious take on Kale Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
The vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
You can marinade chicken or shrimp with it before cooking or brush it on as you barbecue them. It can also be served as a dip with your favorite veggies or as a dressing for a pasta salad.
Of course, you can use Romain lettuce or head lettuce instead of kale. You can also use spinach or any green of your choice that you enjoy in a salad.
Though the sharp cheddar in this recipe meshes so well with all the other flavors, yes you can swap it out. Try some feta or blue cheese as they usually work so well with other salads.
A Gorgeous Salad to Feast Your Eyes On
Tips for the best Strawberry Mango Kale Salad
The citrus dressing can be stored in an air tight glass jar for up to 2 weeks!
Enjoy the citrus vinaigrette on any combo of your favorite salad ingredients or even as a marinade for your choice of protein before cooking it. You may even want to brush it on to chicken as you barbecue!
The salad can be made with Romain lettuce instead of kale and you can use a white or yellow onion instead of red.
You can add or substitute any of the fruits or vegetables for ones you feel suit your taste buds and flavor preferences.
Want a kick on the dressing? Smash some fresh garlic and add it in their for a wonderful aromatic flavor.
Ingredients for this yummy Strawberry Mango Kale Salad
Citrus Vinaigrette
- orange juice
- olive oil
- honey
- white balsamic vinegar
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Kale Salad
- fresh kale
- strawberries
- mango
- New York style sharp cheddar cheese
- red onion
- lentil sprouts for garnish
A Colorful and Flavorful Salad
How to Assemble Citrus Vinaigrette Strawberry Mango Kale Salad
In a small bowl add orange juice, white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey.
Mix well using a spoon or small whisk.
Add in salt and black pepper, and mix again.
Prepare fruits and veggies for salad.
Drizzle over your prepared citrus kale salad and enjoy!
A Few Salad Recipes You Need to Try:
- Cajun Salmon Rice with Tahini Salad
- Healthy Pasta Salad and Dressing
- Mediterranean Salad Pita Wraps
- Roasted Eggplant Salad
- Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Chef Salad
- Tuna Salad
- Lebanese Tabouli Salad
- Honey Mustard Harvest Salad
- Greek Salad on Naan Bread
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Kale Salad with Caramelized Onions
- Satisfying Fruit Salad
Citrus Vinaigrette Strawberry Mango Kale Salad
Ingredients
Citrus Vinaigrette
- ½ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Kale Salad
- ½ bunch fresh kale
- ¼ cup strawberries sliced
- ½ cup mango cubed
- ⅓ cup New York style sharp cheddar cheese cubed
- ½ medium red onion sliced
- lentil sprouts for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl add orange juice, white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey.
- Mix well using a spoon or small whisk.
- Add in salt and black pepper, and mix again.
- Prepare fruits and veggies for salad.
- Drizzle over your prepared citrus kale salad and enjoy!
Carla says
This salad is phenomenal!! A really nice change when you want something different than your ordinary salad with tomatoes and cucumber.
Lama says
It really is! The addition of the NY style sharp cheddar cheese is also a delicious addition ;). Thanks for your feedback!
Charline says
This salad is amazing! I added NY style sharp cheddar cheese as you recommended and the taste was scrumptious! I never thought that kale would taste that GOOD!
Lama says
How amazing was the addition of that cheese!! I love it and so glad you enjoyed it too!
Marie says
In love with the vibrant colors of this salad. Will make it tonight 😉