Paraben Free Smoky Paprika Kale and Blueberry Salad
This salad is a genuinely exciting combination of flavors — earthy massaged kale, juicy blueberries, creamy avocado, and a smoky, cumin-spiced dressing that ties everything together in the best possible way. Every ingredient here is a whole, recognizable food: fresh produce, raw nuts and seeds, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices you can trust. That matters a lot when you're navigating a lifestyle that avoids synthetic preservatives and chemical additives, because packaged dressings and pre-made salad kits are often where hidden ingredients sneak in. Making the dressing from scratch with smoked paprika, raw honey, and fresh garlic means you control exactly what goes on your plate. The massage step is a small but transformative technique — working the kale with a little salt softens the leaves and mellows any bitterness, turning a sometimes tough green into something genuinely tender and craveable. Toasting the walnuts and pepitas in a dry skillet adds a warm, nutty crunch that makes this feel far more substantial than a typical side salad. It's the kind of bowl you'll want to make on repeat, especially when blueberries are at their peak.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 bunch curly or lacinato kale (about 8 oz), stems removed, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- ½ cup raw walnuts
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the walnuts and pumpkin seeds and toast, stirring frequently, until the walnuts are fragrant and lightly golden and the pumpkin seeds begin to pop, about 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cumin, honey, garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and slightly emulsified.
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