Kale Salad with Blackened Salmon
Kale Salad with Blackened Salmon with tender pieces of kale and shaved brussel sprouts, and other delicious additions, then topped with juicy and flaky blackened salmon.
Since you love salmon, you will love this Blackened Salmon with Mushroom Cream Sauce, and these Blacked Salmon BLT recipes as well! Be sure to check them out while you are here.
Kale is such an underrated vegetable. It is so versatile, and we actually LOVE to eat it in salads. You gotta give this one a try!
Why we love this recipe
Kale has simply become one of the biggest phenomenon’s when it comes to eating healthy. One of the reasons is because of the vegetables versatility. There are so many different ways to enjoy it.
You can buy it in large leafy green form, or take the hassle out of having to chop it and prepare it. With Nature’s Greens line of convenient and easy-to-prepare greens are triple washed and ready to cook and serve. They are available at almost all major retailers. Find a retailer near you.
How to make Kale tender:
Massage the kale! You can make kale less bitter, and more tender by massaging the lemon juice, (or any form of an acidic component), directly into the kale leaves. Place the kale in a large bowl, and squeeze lemon juice directly over it.
Use your hands to massage the acidity directly into the kale. Work it around for about two to three minutes. Once this is done, it can be rinsed and set aside until it is time to build the salad.
Do I need to blanch the kale first?
Nope! One of the greatest misconceptions about kale is that it has to be cooked in order to enjoy it. When in fact, this is not the case.
Health benefits are much greater when it is enjoyed in the raw state. Vitamins A and D, and a plethora of antioxidants can be lost when it is blanched.
Massaging the kale is a vital step in enjoying the kale in salad form. By massaging the kale, you are breaking down the tough cell structure. While this helps to tenderize the kale, it can also cause it to be more on the bitter side.
Tips to make kale less bitter:
One of the most vital tips is to massage the kale, and then rinse it! By massaging the kale, you are breaking the cell walls, which can cause it to be slightly bitter. Rinsing it after massaging it will literally rinse away most of the bitter flavor.
If the acidic flavor from the lemon was appealing to you, simply squeeze more lemon onto the kale after it is rinsed. Keep the lemon juice on there for added flavor if desired.
Other protein options:
If salmon is not your thing, it can be replaced with almost any other protein. Here are a few options to top the salad with:
- Nuts and fruit- this will keep it completely vegetarian
- Chicken- blacken the chicken, grill it, or even shred it
- Shrimp- shrimp would pair very well with this salad
- Tofu- season and fry some tofu and cube it up to top the salad
Good dressings to pair with it:
One of my favorite dressings to pair with this salad is a Caesar dressing. It is the creamy component that pairs so nicely with the crunchy Brussel sprouts and kale. Some other great options are a simple vinaigrette, or even a ranch dressing.
It is best to keep the dressing on the side, and allow people to add it to their salad as they eat it. This helps keep the salad fresh longer. Especially if there are leftovers to be stored and eaten later.
Is this kale salad low carb?
Yes! Kale, shaved brussel sprouts, and salmon are definitely low carb. Even the pistachios are a low-carb nut that is often consumed by people on the ketogenic diet. To make it even lower in carbohydrates, omit the cranberries and croutons.
Keep in mind which type of salad dressing you use if you are trying to stay under a certain number of carbs. Some salad dressings have way more sugar, which in turn means way more carbs.
Meal Prepping & Storing leftovers
If there happens to be any leftovers (because the salad is that delicious), it is easy to store in containers with a lid. Separate the salmon from the salad. Place the salad in a container with a lid, and place the salmon in a separate container with a lid.
This is also a great method for meal-prepping. Make ahead of time, store in containers, and refrigerate for up to five days.
More healthy recipes to try
- Citrus Ginger Immunity Shots
- Cobb Salad with Cilantro Lime Shrimp
- The Best Tuna Salad Recipe
- Sauteed Shrimp
Kale Salad with Blackened Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 cups Kale, pre-rinsed and chopped
- 2 cups Brussel sprouts, thinly sliced
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Dried cranberries
- 1 cup Croutons
- 1/2 cup Pistachios, deshelled
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Dressing of choice
Blackened Salmon
- 3 filets Salmon, 6 ounces or up is recommended
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon Seasoning salt
- 1/2 tablespoon Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Place pre-rinsed, chopped kale, shaved brussel sprouts, and salt into a large bowl. Juice half of the lemon directly into the bowl. Using your hands, gently massage the lemon juice into the kale for one to two minutes. Set this aside.
- Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Drizzle the olive oil directly into the skillet.
- Add all of the seasonings to a small bowl, and mix well to combine them. If salmon is not already cut into portions, cut it into at least 6 ounce filets. Do not remove the skin just yet.
- Season the meat side of the salmon liberally and evenly with the seasoning combination. Pat the seasoning into the salmon using your hands. NO NEED TO SEASON THE SKIN SIDE.
- Place the salmon into the pre-heated skillet skin side down. Sear for 8 minutes, then flip it over. Cook it on the "meat" side for an additional 6 minutes. NOTE: thickness of filets may vary. If you like your salmon more rare, adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Remove the salmon from the skillet, and set it aside. Once it is cook enough to handle, use your hands or tongs to gently remove the silver skin from the salmon. It should peel away easily.
- Assemble Salad
- Using a large bowl or a platter, begin to assemble the salad. Add the kale and shaved brussel sprouts, dried cranberries, and pistachios. Gently fold them together until combined.
- Sprinkle the croutons and shaved parmesan over the top of the salad. Next, place the salmon filets directly on top.
- Serve with your favorite salad dressing. Enjoy!
Hi! Planning to prep my salmon filets like this shortly. Sixteen total minutes isn’t too long for a 6 ounce filet? I know we should all use our judgment but I’m hoping to not dry them out not to mention the carryover cook time from being in cast iron
Hi Carla, some filets will be thicker than others, which is why I cooked 8 minutes per side. Remove the thinner filets much sooner, unless you like them very well done! I will add that to the instructions for clarity. Enjoy!
This blackened salmon and kale salad was so delicious and healthy! I love a healthy dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor so I’ll be making this one again.
This was the perfect simple dinner: filling and flavorful! And I didn’t feel guilty about it. 🙂
I am always down for a salad, and this one was simply delicious! And thanks for all the tips on the kale…it made it that much better. This will be lunch again this week!
This salad is so delicious! The blackened salmon with bites of cranberry and pistachios is the best! I couldn’t get enough
I love the crunch of the Brussels sprouts in this salad! And the flavors in the salmon were perfect! Thanks for an awesome recipe!
what a perfect healthy summer meal. I am a seafood fanatic and this definitely fit the bill. IT was so delicious I can easily see myself making this every week!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
I needed some major salad inspo to lighten things up a bit and tried this recipe. The combo of ingredients is so delicious and the right amount of salty sweet and textures. Love all of the suggestions for substitutions too. Will be making again and again.
You combined everything I adore in one salad – crunch, citrus and salmon!
Wonderful! So happy you enjoyed it.
I loved the flavors, textures and since Salmon is my favorite fish, I loved that I had a new way to eat it. Thank you!
Yes, salmon on salads is definitely my favorite!
Taste it