Almond Free Turmeric-Ginger Kale and Avocado Salad
This vibrant salad is a full-on celebration of color and bold flavor, built around massaged kale, creamy avocado, crunchy purple cabbage, and a golden turmeric-ginger dressing that ties everything together beautifully. The massage step is the secret weapon here — working the kale with a little salt softens the leaves and mellows any bitterness, making it genuinely tender and easy to eat rather than tough and chewy. The dressing comes together in one small bowl, whisking olive oil, fresh lemon juice, grated ginger, honey, and garlic into a smooth, warmly spiced vinaigrette that coats every leaf. Pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch and a boost of plant-based nutrition without any of the cross-contamination concerns that can come with mixed nut toppings in store-bought salads. Shredded carrots and purple cabbage bring extra texture and a pop of sweetness that balances the earthiness of the turmeric. A scatter of fresh cilantro or parsley at the end keeps things bright and herbaceous. This is the kind of salad that actually fills you up and makes you feel great about eating it.
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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
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or pressed
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the torn kale leaves in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Using clean hands, massage the kale firmly for 1–2 minutes, squeezing and working the leaves until they darken, soften noticeably, and reduce in volume by about one-third.
- 2
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, turmeric, grated ginger, honey, garlic, black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt until the dressing is smooth and uniformly golden-yellow.
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