Mexican Kale Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

Enjoy a delicious and easy to make Mexican Kale Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette!

The weather here in New York was a little crazy this weekend. On Saturday, it was hot and sunny one minute, then pouring rain the next.

My husband and I walked down to the Lincoln Center for a Beatles exhibit, and we just missed getting drenched. Have I mentioned that I hate rain?

By Sunday, the storms were gone, and we spent most of the afternoon in the park enjoying the weather.

It seems like everyone in the city was out and about, and there was some seriously good people watching. Like the Grim Reaper rollerblading around the Central Park loop … only in New York?

Mexican Kale Salad

Of course, a lazy day in the park wouldn’t be complete without a picnic!

Now, I’m a huge fan of taco salad (the kind with crushed Doritos), but it’s not exactly healthy. So I did a little experimenting and created a Mexican Kale Salad with a Chili-Lime Vinaigrette.

It’s the perfect thing for a lazy weekend picnic.

How to Make Mexican Kale Salad

This isn’t your typical kale salad. Have you ever had one with tough, chewy bits of kale? Sure, it’s healthy, but it’s not exactly enjoyable to eat.

I think that’s what my husband was expecting when I told him this Kale Mexican Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette was on the menu!

There are a few tricks to an enjoyable kale salad.

First, I like to use lacinato, or “dinosaur,” kale, which isn’t as tough as curly kale.

Next, toss the kale with a little olive and salt. This softens up the leaves and breaks down their waxy coating.

Finally, instead of just tossing the vinaigrette with the kale, use your hands hands and massage it in. Yes, it’s a little strange, but it makes big difference.

My husband was pleasantly surprised by this Mexican Kale Salad, and I think you will be, too! It’s full of flavor and filled fresh veggies and other healthy ingredients. The Chili-Lime Vinaigrette is sweet and mildly spicy, and it adds just enough richness to the salad.

Give it a try at your next picnic or pair it with your favorite meal … chili, sandwiches, and more!

Print

Mexican Kale Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

Prep Time

30 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

This Mexican Kale Salad is bursting with fresh, delicious flavors!

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: mexican kale salad

Servings: 4 main dish servings

Calories: 483 kcal

Author: Ginnie

Ingredients

• 1 bunch lacinato kale (flat leaf kale)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

For Vinaigrette:

• 3 tbsp lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp ancho chili pepper powder
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• pinch pepper

For Salad:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 15- oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup cilantro (lightly packed), chopped
• 1 avocado, chopped
• 1 cup corn, fresh or thawed if frozen
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (skip to make vegan)
• tortilla chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash and dry kale.
2. Remove kale leaves from stems (see note for help).
3. Stack kale leaves and roll up. Slice about 1/4-inch thick.
   
4. Add sliced kale to a large bowl. Toss with 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1/2 tsp. salt. Set aside while you prepare the remaining salad ingredients.
   

Prepare Vinaigrette:

1. In a small bowl, combine lime juice, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, ancho chili pepper powder, maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Whisk ingredients together.
   
3. Taste vinaigrette and add more salt, if necessary. Set aside.

Finish salad:

1. Pour vinaigrette over kale.
2. Take a minute to massage vinaigrette into kale, using your hands.
   
   
3. Top kale with cherry tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, and corn. Toss to combine.
4. Add avocado and feta cheese to salad. Fold in gently.
   
5. Serve salad topped with tortilla chips (optional).

Notes

To remove tough stems from kale leaves, grab onto top of stem and quickly slide your hand down, separating leaves from stem as you go.

If you can't find ancho chili pepper powder (I got it at Penzeys), replace it with regular chili powder.

Want more recipes similar to this Mexican Kale Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette?

I LOVE a good kale salad recipe! Here are some of my faves:

• Massaged Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing … this basic recipe has tons of tips for making kale salad!
• Superfood Salad with Citrus Dressing
• Kale Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Easy Italian Pasta Salad
• Winter Kale Salad with Freekeh and Roasted Vegetables
• Kale Pasta Salad with Creamy Lemon Basil Dressing
• Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
• Kale Caesar Salad
• Easy Kale Salad with Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing

There is so much you can do with a yummy kale salad … hope you enjoy these recipes!

Do you have a favorite picnic food?