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kale salad houstons copycat salad
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Houston's Copycat Kale Salad

If you enjoy Houston's Kale salad, this Copycat recipe will not disappoint. This salad is loaded with fresh herbs, has a homemade dressing, and is gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly, making it the ideal crowd-pleaser!
Prep Time20 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Healthy Salad, kale salad
Author: Lama

Ingredients

Dressing

  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder

Salad

  • 5-6 stems curly kale (remove the stem)
  • 1½ cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • ½ cup shaved carrots
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves off the stem
  • ¼ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
  • Tortilla chips for garnish

Instructions

  • In a jar add all of the dressing ingredients and shake or mix very well using a spoon. You can choose to blend all the ingredients in a blender.
  • Wash and remove the kale off the stems. Roughly chop or using your hangs you can twist and cut them that way. Then massage the kale using hands and palm by squeezing and rubbing them.
  • Place in a large bowl the add the chopped romaine lettuce, shaved carrots, and cilantro.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad greens and mix. I love the dressing to soak into the salad for about 10 minutes so flavors infuse and kale softens.
  • When ready to enjoy top with parmesan cheese and tortilla strips.

Notes

Helpful Tips:
  • Before drizzling the dressing over your salad, taste it. Adjust as desired; if you prefer a sweeter dressing, add another tablespoon of honey. Add another tablespoon of rice vinegar if you prefer a more acidic dressing.
  • It's better to massage the kale before adding it to the salad. Massaging it makes it tender and reduces its bitterness.
  • Store leftover dressing in a small jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
  • You can add some fresh mint, green cabbage, and green onions to your salad if you like. You can also add some chopped peanuts for a more crunchy taste.
  • Use fresh kale to make this salad. Make sure the leaves are not wilted and have a bright green color.