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    Home » Salads and Dressings » Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Published: Jun 21, 2020 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Strawberry Kale Salad Pinterest Image with text overlay
    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing with text overlay
    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing with text overlay
    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing with text overlay

    This Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is packed with delicious flavours. Strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy feta, toasted sunflower seeds and a sweet dressing will make this classic baby kale salad your summer favourite!

    Overhead view of Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing on a marble slab

    What better way to celebrate spring and summer than with a bright and colourful, healthy cleansing salad like this Strawberry Kale Salad?

    Kale--that green goddess that all the foodie experts swore was just a trend. We all know just how good it is for us and we humble salad lovers know that kale is not a flash-in-the-pan.

    It's here to stay.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients for Strawberry Kale Salad
    • Instructions
    • Possible Variations or Substitutions
    • Helpful Tips
    • Do you need to massage kale?
    • More healthy kale salad recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️ Why this recipe works

    Tender little leaves of baby kale and sweet strawberries are tossed together with a cheerful poppy seed dressing in this simple salad. Add a little salty feta cheese for contrast, crunchy red onion, toasted sunflower seeds for protein and crunch and you'll have the makings of a beautifully balanced side or lunchtime salad.

    And don't forget the avocado!

    Ingredients for Strawberry Kale Salad in sections in a round white dish

    Ready to make this sweet, healthy kale salad?

    Ingredients for Strawberry Kale Salad

    kale: baby kale is delicious in this salad. It's tender and has a milder flavour than more mature kale. See Do you need to massage kale?

    strawberries: fresh, fully ripe berries have the most flavour

    red onion: adds a tangy bite and gives a nice contrast to the sweet berries

    feta cheese: for that salty contrast

    sunflower seeds: lightly toasted seeds add some crunchy texture

    avocado: a must! Creamy avocado make a beautiful addition to this summer salad.

    fresh strawberries

    Instructions

    Start by whisking the poppy seed dressing ingredients together (or shake them in a small jar with a lid). Set aside to allow the flavours to blend while you prepare the salad ingredients.

    Toast sunflower seeds in a small skillet over medium heat. When they begin to brown, remove from the heat. They'll continue to brown a little from the heat of the pan. If you'd like, you can brown them in a teaspoon of oil and sprinkle with a pinch or two of salt.

    Wash and dry the kale or mixed greens, slice the strawberries, chop the onion, crumble the feta and lastly, cube or slice the avocado.

    Arrange all the ingredients in a salad bowl or large shallow platter. Drizzle with dressing and toss, or allow your friends or family to add their own dressing.

    Close up view of Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Possible Variations or Substitutions

    Greens: Add other greens to your baby kale. Try romaine, spinach, arugula, or a spring mix.

    Cheese: Substitute goat cheese, blue cheese or shavings of Parmesan cheese for the feta.

    Nuts: Consider substituting toasted pumpkin seeds for the sunflower seeds, or add toasted sliced almonds or pecans.

    Protein: Make this a complete meal by adding grilled shrimp or cooked cubed chicken breasts. Or add crisp cooked bacon crumbles for extra flavour.

    Helpful Tips

    You can prepare most of the ingredients ahead of time, but add the avocado last, just before serving, to prevent it from turning brown.

    Make ahead for lunches! Pack this strawberry kale salad into containers for pre-made lunches. Store the dressing in a small container separately.

    Do you need to massage kale?

    Massaging kale leaves helps to break down their cell structure and gives the leaves a softer texture that’s better suited to salads. It can make it easier to digest, too.

    The trick to using the curly green variety of kale in a salad is to tenderize it first. All you need to do is remove the tough center rib of the leaves, drizzle it with a teaspoon each of olive oil and lemon juice and a pinch of salt and work it into each leaf with your fingers.

    However, if you don't want to massage kale leaves, you can simply chop them very finely. You'll find that the leaves will soften naturally all on their own when they come into contact with a vinaigrette.

    Strawberry Kale Salad with feta, avocado, red onion and toasted sunflower seeds

    Celebrate warm weather and all things green and clean! Enjoy.

    More healthy kale salad recipes

    Kale and Cara Cara Orange Salad

    Hearty Tuscan Salad with Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing

    📖 Recipe

    overhead view of a round white dish of Strawberry Kale Salad

    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    This Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is packed with delicious flavours. Strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy feta, toasted sunflower seeds and a sweet dressing will make this baby kale salad your new summer favourite!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 453kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups baby kale leaves, torn or chopped into bite-sized pieces
    • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
    • 4 oz feta cheese, cubed
    • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 large avocado, sliced or cubed
    • ¼ cup sunflower seeds toasted, or other nuts or seeds of your choice

    Dressing

    • ⅓ cup olive oil, or avocado oil
    • 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon honey
    • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
    • 1 pinch dry mustard
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Combine the dressing ingredients in a small glass jar, shake to combine and set aside to allow flavours to blend.
    • Toast sunflower seeds in a small skillet until they begin to brown. Remove from heat and let cool. They will continue to brown a little in the residual heat from the pan.
    • Put torn baby kale leaves in a bowl. If they may be tough, drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Massage the oil gently into the leaves to tenderize them.
    • Chop the onion, slice the strawberries, crumble the feta cheese.
    • Arrange the greens in a bowl, top with onion, strawberries, cheese and sunflower seeds. Add cubed or sliced avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning.
    • Drizzle with dressing, toss and serve.

    Notes

    You can prepare most of the ingredients for this salad ahead of time, but add the avocado last, just before serving, to prevent it from turning brown.
    Make ahead for lunches! Pack this strawberry kale salad into containers for pre-made lunches. Store the dressing in a small container separately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 611mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 3340IU | Vitamin C: 89mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    This classic salad recipe was originally published in 2015. It has been updated with new information and photos and the recipe has been tweaked.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Delia

      June 29, 2021 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      My husband can't stop talking about this salad and he normally says he hates kale lol! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        June 29, 2021 at 8:51 pm

        That's so funny! Happy to hear he's a convert!

        Reply
    2. Miranda

      April 29, 2021 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      This poppy .seed dressing is so good with the strawberries. I love this salad. Thanks

      Reply
    3. Erika

      April 29, 2021 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      I want to let you know that I make this regularly! It's a favorite with my family. I use the baby kale that comes in the clamshell plastic package.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 29, 2021 at 11:45 am

        Thanks Erika!

        Reply
    4. Katerina | Once a Foodie

      July 04, 2020 at 4:21 am

      5 stars
      This salad looks absolutely amazing! I love using fruit in salads and these strawberries look so perfectly juicy. I love the sound of the poppy seed dressing too - yum! Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        July 04, 2020 at 4:24 pm

        You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply

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