Italian Kale Salad with Sweet Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette

This Italian Kale Salad with Sweet Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette is packed with flavor with roasted tomatoes, pepperoni, and fresh mozzarella cheese.

This Italian kale salad is just perfect for summer – it’s simple to make, light, and healthy! I mix greens like hearty kale, soft butter lettuce, and peppery arugula and toss them all with a delicious vinaigrette. The Italian meat and cheese make it a filling salad that’s wonderful as a side salad or even a main dish all on its own.

This is the salad I LOVE to make on repeat all summer long. The flavors are so fresh, it’s packed with nutritious ingredients, and the dressing… it’s divine.

I especially love to make this Italian kale salad after summer trips – you know, the kind where you indulge and eat all the things because you’re on vacation? Well, this is the salad I make when we get home and we need something light and fresh but still amazingly delicious. It’s light but satisfying and the perfect way to get back on track.

Summer’s all about balance, right? So, indulge in all the warm weather treats and then treat yourself to this light and healthy recipe. It’s one of my favorite green salad recipes and it’s about to be yours, too!

Ingredients

• Chopped Boston Bib lettuce
• Chopped green kale
• Chopped arugula
• Sliced carrots
• Chopped roasted tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella – I love the little mozzarella balls because you can toss them right away. Or, you can cut a large mozzarella ball into bite-sized pieces.
• Italian seasoning
• Chopped fresh Italian parsley
• Chopped pepperoni or pastrami
• Sweet Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper!
• Optional garnishes: Pine nuts and sliced green onions.

How do you make Italian Kale Salad?

Make the vinaigrette by mixing lemon juice, olive oil, honey, garlic and salt in a small Mason jar or bowl. Set in the fridge to chill until ready to serve.

Prepare arugula, Boston Bib lettuce, and kale by roughly chopping.

To take some bitterness from the kale, gently squeeze it once you have chopped it.

Mix all of the greens above in a large salad or serving bowl.

Top with sliced carrots and chopped tomatoes. We highly recommend roasted tomatoes that you can get fresh at your local market, usually near the olive bar.

Toss the fresh mozzarella with a tablespoon of Italian or Tuscan seasoning. Add the cheese and the seasoning to the salad, along with the chopped pastrami.

Add chilled dressing to the salad and gently toss.

Serve immediately or set in the fridge until ready to serve, up to 1 hour before.

Recipe Variations

This is an easy salad recipe to adapt based on what you have. Here are some ideas you might like to try:

• Greens: Use your favorite mix of greens!
• Cheese: You can use fresh or low-moisture mozzarella cut into cubes. Or switch it for cubed Provolone. Some grated Parmesan cheese would also be great.
• Meat: You can omit the meat or try another Italian cured meat like salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, or pastrami.
• Toss in some olives or marinated artichoke hearts – they’d be delicious.

This Italian Kale Salad with Sweet Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette was just what I crave when I want something fresh and light – Easy to prepare, ready in less than 20 minutes and light & refreshing! Who said eating healthy needed to taste bland? Not this girl. Enjoy! XOXO San

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