Bacon and Date Kale Salad
Valentina P
This hearty salad works as both a side dish and a main, perhaps alongside some warm roasted potatoes. The juicy, sweet date pieces are the perfect contrast to savory pieces of bacon strewn throughout. Either walnuts or cheddar cheese cubes work both well here - or go rogue and use both. If making this salad ahead of time, aim to cook the bacon right before serving - sprinkling the warm pieces into the chilled salad.
How To MakeDiet Type: Classic
Shopping List
-
Salad
- 3 cups (or large handfuls) kale, hard-stems removed
- 33333333/100000000 cup chopped walnuts (or sharp cheddar cheese, diced into small cubes)
- 3 large medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 3 slices bacon Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon date syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Stir together all vinaigrette ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 2: Chop the kale leaves, dates, and walnuts or cheese into bite-sized pieces. Place the kale in a mixing bowl and add the vinaigrette. Use your hand to massage the vinaigrette into the leaves for about 15 seconds. Note: even if making this salad ahead of time, do not skip this step of massaging - it makes the salad much more palatable and will not get soggy.
- Step 3: Cook the bacon in a hot frying pan until crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces and toss it, still warm, into the kale salad.
- Step 4: Add the remaining dates and walnuts or cheese to the salad. Toss to combine. You could add a little drizzle of reserved bacon grease if you want some extra richness.
- Serve: Grab a fork and enjoy. This salad is great alongside a simple cooked turkey burger.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Every 3 cups of kale is equal to about 1/2 a large bunch of kale.
Nutrition
This hearty salad works as both a side dish and a main, perhaps alongside some warm roasted sweet potatoes. The juicy, sweet date pieces are the perfect contrast to savory pieces of bacon strewn throughout. If making this salad ahead of time, aim to cook the bacon right before serving - sprinkling the warm pieces into the chilled salad.
How To MakeDiet Type: Paleo
Shopping List
-
Salad
- 3 cups (or large handfuls) kale, hard-stems removed
- 33333333/100000000 cup chopped walnuts
- 3 large medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 3 slices paleo bacon Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon date syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Stir together all vinaigrette ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 2: Chop the kale leaves, dates, and walnuts into bite-sized pieces. Place the kale in a mixing bowl and add the vinaigrette. Use your hand to massage the vinaigrette into the leaves for about 15 seconds. Note: even if making this salad ahead of time, do not skip this step of massaging - it makes the salad much more palatable and will not get soggy.
- Step 3: Cook the bacon in a hot frying pan until crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces and toss it, still warm, into the kale salad.
- Step 4: Add the remaining dates and walnuts to the salad. Toss to combine. You could add a little drizzle of reserved bacon grease if you want some extra richness.
- Serve: Grab a fork and enjoy. This salad is great alongside a simple cooked turkey burger.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Every 3 cups of kale is equal to about 1/2 a large bunch of kale.
Nutrition
This hearty salad works as both a side dish and a main, perhaps alongside some warm roasted potatoes. The juicy, sweet date pieces are the perfect contrast to savory pieces of tempeh bacon strewn throughout. If making this salad ahead of time, aim to cook the tempeh bacon right before serving - sprinkling the warm pieces into the chilled salad.
How To MakeDiet Type: Plant-based
Shopping List
-
Salad
- 3 cups (or large handfuls) kale, hard-stems removed
- 33333333/100000000 cup chopped walnuts
- 3 large medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 serving tempeh bacon (Note 2) Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon date syrup (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Stir together all vinaigrette ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 2: Chop the kale leaves, dates, and walnuts into bite-sized pieces. Place the kale in a mixing bowl and add the vinaigrette. Use your hand to massage the vinaigrette into the leaves for about 15 seconds. Note: even if making this salad ahead of time, do not skip this step of massaging - it makes the salad much more palatable and will not get soggy.
- Step 3: Cook the tempeh bacon in a hot frying pan until crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Chop the tempeh bacon into bite-sized pieces and toss it, still warm, into the kale salad.
- Step 4: Add the remaining dates and walnuts to the salad. Toss to combine.
- Serve: Grab a fork and enjoy. This salad is great alongside warm roasted sweet potatoes.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Every 3 cups of kale is equal to about 1/2 a large bunch of kale. Note 2: As a soy-free alternative, coconut bacon can be used in place of the tempeh. Sprinkle the coconut bacon onto the salad right before serving.
Nutrition
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