Emulsifier Free Cilantro-Lime White Bean and Kale Salad
This bright, hearty salad is the kind of bowl that makes you feel genuinely good about what you're eating — and it tastes even better than it looks. Massaging the kale with a little salt is the secret move here: it softens the leaves and pulls out any bitterness, turning them into something almost silky that soaks up the dressing beautifully. Speaking of the dressing, it comes together with just olive oil, fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, honey, and cumin — real, whole ingredients with nothing synthetic holding them together. That matters a lot when you're avoiding emulsifiers, because so many bottled dressings rely on additives to stay blended; here, a quick whisk does the job naturally. Creamy avocado, tender white beans, crunchy pepitas, and juicy cherry tomatoes round out the bowl with satisfying texture in every bite. It's the kind of salad that works as a light lunch on its own or as a vibrant side alongside something heartier. Fresh, clean, and completely fuss-free.
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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.
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