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Welcome to a delightful and refreshing culinary journey with this irresistible Copycat Jen’s Herb Salad (Kale Vinaigrette). This vibrant and nutritious dish combines the crispness of fresh greens, the earthy essence of kale, and the tangy sweetness of apple cider vinaigrette.
This kale salad with apple cider vinaigrette is a copycat of Jen’s herb salad from Pura Vida Miami. This recipe will give you the sensation of crafting a taste of Miami in your own kitchen.
Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or an impressive side dish for your next gathering, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So take a break from mundane salads and indulge in this enticing blend.
Elevate Your Salads with a Homemade Jen’s Herb Salad
If there’s a salad I recommend you guys try, this is it! I had it at Pura Vida in Fort Lauderdale, and it’s called Jen’s Salad. Ever since then, I’ve been making it at home. It has a combination of delicious herbs and a kick from jalapeno peppers, feta cheese, and quinoa, all topped with a delicious apple cider vinegar dressing. Finish it off with roasted walnuts and enjoy it with your favorite protein on the side.
Table of Contents
- Recipe Overview
- What Is Apple Cider Vinaigrette?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Serving Suggestions
- Variations and Substitutions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Storage Tips
- Recipe Tip
- Tips for Copycat Jen’s Herb Salad (Kale Vinaigrette)
- Must-Try Recipes:
- Copycat Jen’s Herb Salad (Kale Vinaigrette) Recipe
Recipe Overview
Cuisine: Healthy Salad
Cooking Method: No-cook
Skill Required: Easy, suitable for all levels
Signature Taste: Fresh, herbaceous, and slightly spicy with a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing
Diet Info: Vegetarian; gluten-free if using gluten-free quinoa
Falling in Love with This Refreshing Salad
What Is Apple Cider Vinaigrette?
Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar prepared from fermented apple juice that is used in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, and other applications. It’s prepared by fermenting crushed apples with yeast. This converts the sugars to alcohol, and then bacteria are added to further ferment the sugars, converting them to vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing is a burst of flavors. It’s sweet, zesty, and has a smooth texture. This delectable vinaigrette features a unique combination of honey, Dijon mustard, and extra virgin olive oil.
This vinaigrette is so much more than a salad dressing; it goes great with all of your favorite dishes. You’ll be obsessed with making this dressing once you realize how easy it is. Simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, shake, and Voila, it’s ready.
Unveiling a Vibrant Homemade Kale Salad
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy to Prepare: This recipe is quick and easy to make; there is no need for an oven or a stove, and you can make it in minutes by shaking everything in a bowl.
Healthy Main Ingredient: This recipe features kale, which is well known for its multiple health benefits. Its robust and earthy flavor pairs perfectly with the tangy and zesty vinaigrette dressing. Kale is widely recognized for being a nutritional powerhouse high in vitamins and minerals. These nutrients help to maintain immune function, bone health, and general vitality.
Low-Calorie: This Copycat Jen’s Herb Salad (Kale Vinaigrette) is a low-calorie option that is high in nutrients. You can eat a satisfying meal without feeling bad about your calorie intake.
Supports Detoxification: Kale supports the natural detoxifying processes of the body. The addition of apple cider vinaigrette further assists in detoxifying the body by aiding digestion and promoting liver function.
Healthy Dressing: Apple cider vinaigrette is gluten-free, low-calorie, vegan, and healthful; it contains no preservatives or additives.
Ingredients
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cilantro leaves
- Kale
- Parsley
- Mint leaves
- Arugula
- Stalk Scallion
- Brown Quinoa
- Afalfa sprouts
- Feta cheese
- Olive Oil
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Roasted Walnuts
- Jalapeño
- Salt
- Pepper
Irresistible Nutrient-Packed Jen’s Herb Salad
Serving Suggestions
This salad can definitely stand alone and be served on its own because it contains wholesome ingredients such as kale, quinoa, and feta cheese. Serve it with a slice of Easy Olive Bread for a complete, filling meal.
For an extra protein boost, try having this kale salad with grilled chicken or shish tawook, here is an easy Shish Tawook Recipe – Lebanese Grilled Chicken Skewers.
Kale Salad can also be served as a side dish alongside other main dishes like Honey Soy Glazed Salmon, Baked Blackened Salmon, Oven Baked Corvina Fillet, or Grilled Chicken Tikka (Tandoori Chicken).
You can also pair it with soups. Whether it’s a Creamy Veggie Tomato Basil Soup or Carrot and Sweet Potato Thai Soup, they create a satisfying and comforting meal.
Variations and Substitutions
Maple Syrup: You can substitute the honey in the apple cider vinaigrette with maple syrup if you don’t have honey around.
Lemon Juice: If you are really craving the salad but don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can use lemon juice instead.
Cheese: This recipe uses feta cheese, but there are a couple of other cheese options you can substitute with. Blue cheese and goat cheese work pretty well with our Jen’s herb salad!
Nuts: Experiment with your choice of nuts. Instead of walnuts, you can incorporate almonds, pine nuts, or even pecans!
A Symphony of Colors and Taste
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Yes, the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time. Wash, dry, and chop the greens and other components, but store them separately to keep them fresh. For the best results, assemble the salad and add the dressing right before serving.
Before assembling the salad, massage the kale leaves with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt to minimize bitterness and enhance the overall texture. This step can improve your salad experience.
Absolutely. If you are allergic to nuts or seeds, you can leave them out. With the addition of mixed greens, kale, and the apple cider vinaigrette, the salad will remain delicious and nutritious.
Nature’s Best Combination on a Display
Storage Tips
Store kale salad for 1–2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Remember that kale can wilt over time, so eat the salad as soon as possible for the best texture and flavor.
If properly preserved in the fridge, apple cider vinaigrette can last up to 7 days. Simply place it in an airtight jar. When you’re ready to use it, shake it to combine the components if they’ve separated.
Recipe Tip
Allow the dressing to blend with the kale leaves for about 10–15 minutes before serving. This will improve the dish’s overall flavor and texture.
A Garden-Inspired Masterpiece
Tips for Copycat Jen’s Herb Salad (Kale Vinaigrette)
Choose fresh kale leaves that are brightly colored and devoid of yellowing or wilting. Baby kale or lacinato kale are excellent choices due to their tender texture.
Any light salad oil can be used in place of olive oil. Just be aware that the oil you use may somewhat change the flavor of your vinaigrette. Avocado, soybean, and walnut oils are just a few of the many options.
To make this recipe vegan, replace the honey with maple syrup. You can also leave out the honey or maple syrup to eliminate the sweetness of the vinaigrette.
Vibrant Kale Delight
Must-Try Recipes:
- Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
- BEST Fattoush Salad with Dressing
- Avocado Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Egg Salad with Mustard Dressing
- Healthy Pasta Salad and Dressing
- Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Dressing
- Cucumber Avocado Salad Recipe
- Kale Salad with Caramelized Onions
- Houston’s Kale Salad Copycat Recipe
- Fantastic Kale Dijon Salad
Copycat Jen’s Herb Salad (Kale Vinaigrette)
Equipment
- medium bowl
Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients
Kale Salad Ingredients
- 1 bunch of kale (average bunch is 7-8 oz.)
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- ⅓ cup parsley, minced
- 2 tablespoon mint leaves, minced
- 1 cup arugula
- 4 stalks scallion, chopped
- ½ cup brown quinoa, chilled
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup roasted walnuts, coarsely crushed
- ¼ cup afalfa sprouts
- 1 Jalapeño, diced, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk well until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the dressing is smooth. Set aside.
- Rinse the kale thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat it dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess water. Remove the tough stems from the kale leaves and discard them. Tear or chop the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.
- Add the cilantro leaves, minced parsley, minced mint leaves, arugula, chopped scallions, chilled brown quinoa, crumbled feta cheese, crushed roasted walnuts, alfalfa sprouts, and diced jalapeño (if using) to the bowl with the kale.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Toss the salad gently but thoroughly to ensure that all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
- Once the salad is evenly dressed, let it sit for about 5–10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the kale salad immediately as a refreshing side dish or a light meal. You can also refrigerate it for later use, but keep in mind that the kale may wilt slightly over time. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious kale salad!
Notes
- Choose fresh kale leaves that are brightly colored and devoid of yellowing or wilting. Baby kale or lacinato kale are excellent choices due to their tender texture.
- Any light salad oil can be used in place of olive oil. Just be aware that the oil you use may somewhat change the flavor of your vinaigrette. Avocado, soybean, and walnut oils are just a few of the many options.
- To make this recipe vegan, replace the honey with maple syrup. You can also leave out the honey or maple syrup to eliminate the sweetness of the vinaigrette.