Artificial Food Coloring Free Cilantro-Lime White Bean and Kale Salad
Every ingredient in this vibrant salad is exactly what it looks like — whole, real, and completely free of synthetic dyes or artificial additives. The deep green of the massaged lacinato kale, the bright red cherry tomatoes, and the creamy avocado get their color from nature alone, which makes this an easy win when you're trying to keep your plate clean and unprocessed. Massaging the kale with a pinch of sea salt is the kind of simple technique that transforms a tough leaf into something silky and almost sweet, ready to soak up the zesty cilantro-lime dressing. That dressing — built from fresh lime juice, raw honey, cumin, and a generous handful of cilantro — is whisked together in minutes and tastes far more complex than the ingredient list suggests. Creamy white beans add satisfying protein and heft, while crunchy pumpkin seeds give every bite a little texture contrast that keeps things interesting. It's the sort of salad that actually fills you up and makes you feel good about what you just ate, with zero mystery ingredients hiding in the background.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 bunch lacinato kale (about 8 oz), stems removed, leaves thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 large avocado, pitted and diced
- ⅓ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, finely chopped
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the sliced kale in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Using clean hands, massage the kale firmly for 1–2 minutes until the leaves darken, soften noticeably, and reduce in volume by about half.
- 2
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, honey, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using, until the dressing is uniform and slightly emulsified.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!