Artificial Food Coloring Free Turmeric-Ginger Kale and Avocado Salad
Every color in this salad comes straight from the produce itself — the deep green of massaged kale, the vivid purple cabbage, the bright orange carrots, and that gorgeous golden dressing tinted entirely by ground turmeric and fresh ginger. No dyes, no synthetic additives, just real food doing what real food does best. The dressing is a simple whisk of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and garlic, so there's nothing mysterious hiding in the bowl. Massaging the kale with a little salt before dressing it is the move that transforms tough, bitter leaves into something tender and almost silky — don't skip that step. Creamy avocado slices layered on top balance the brightness of the lemon and the warmth of the ginger in a way that feels genuinely satisfying rather than just virtuous. Crunchy pumpkin seeds add texture throughout, and a handful of fresh cilantro or parsley at the end keeps everything tasting lively. This is the kind of salad that actually holds up well as the dressing soaks in, making it a great option for a relaxed lunch or a side that can sit on the table while everything else comes together.
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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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