Wheat Free Smoky Paprika Kale and Blueberry Salad
This vibrant salad is a serious showstopper — deep green massaged kale, juicy blueberries, creamy avocado, and a smoky paprika dressing that ties every bite together with warmth and a little zing. The entire dish is built from whole, naturally grain-free ingredients, so there's no substituting or swapping required to keep it safe for anyone avoiding wheat. Massaging the kale with a pinch of salt is the move that transforms it from tough and bitter to silky and almost sweet, making it genuinely crave-worthy rather than virtuous-but-boring. Toasting the walnuts and pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet adds a nutty crunch that makes this feel more like a restaurant salad than something you threw together at home. The dressing — smoked paprika, cumin, lemon, honey, and garlic whisked into olive oil — is bold enough to stand up to the hearty kale without overwhelming the delicate blueberries. Creamy avocado slices layered on top finish it off with richness that makes the whole bowl feel satisfying and complete. It's the kind of salad that converts skeptics.
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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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