I’m back from a whirlwind trip to NYC and one thing is certain – I over did it on the pizza. Which means today feels like the right time to introduce you to my New Go-To Kale Salad!
A few months back we were up in Portland visiting some friends and we had the most life changing kale salad as a starter one night. I know, who says a kale salad is life changing, right? But trust me – it is!! It’s the most glorious kale salad on the planet. Add a few things to it and just you wait. First, some perfectly cooked flaked salmon, yes please. My This Is Everything blend sprinkled on top because duh. Then an avocado or two and you’re almost there. Don’t skimp on the bread crumb topping – it gives it that crunch you love!! And voila – you’re looking at your new favorite salad. Pinkie promise!!
The base of this recipe was inspired by that night at Ava Gene’s and the corresponding chefs cookbook which we featured a few months back!
The New Go-To Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 3 bunches lacinato kale Tuscan kale or cavolo nero, thick ribs cut out
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1/3 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese plus more to finish
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon dried chile flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving on the side of the salad
- 2 teaspoons Gaby’s This is Everything Seasoning
- 1-2 avocados sliced
For the Salmon
- 1 lb salmon cut into 4 4-ounce filets
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Stack several kale leaves on top of one another and roll them up into a tight cylinder. With a sharp knife, slice crosswise into very thin, about 1/16 inch, ribbons. Put the kale in a salad spinner, rinse in cool water, and spin until completely dry. Pile the kale into a bowl.
- Put the chopped garlic on a cutting board and mince it even more until you have a paste. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl, add the pecorino, a few tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, chile flakes, salt, and plenty of black pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the kale and toss well to thoroughly combine. Taste and adjust with more lemon, salt, chile flakes, or black pepper. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes so the kale softens slightly. Top with the toasted breadcrumbs, avocados, more cheese, and drizzle with more oil and the This Is Everything seasoning.
For the salmon
- Sprinkle the salmon filets with salt and pepper. Heat a nonstick pan over high heat. Add the oil to the pan and then add the fish. Cook the salmon about 2-3 minutes until there’s a golden crust. Then flip the salmon and cook another minute or two on the skin side. Remove the salmon and add on the salad as needed
For the breadcrumbs
- Melt the butter in a small non stick skillet. Add the panko breadcrumbs and toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
Photo by Matt Armendariz // Food Styling by Adam Pearson // Prop Styling by Gena Sigala // Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
This is unrelated to your recipes, which I love. I used to be able to save your recipes to my Dropbox, but I can no longer do that. Has something changed about the way your website works? (I am able to save other recipes to Dropbox. Only “New York Times Cooking” is saved on their site.)
I do have your cookbook, and, often, I can find your recipes there. Thank you.
nope – nothing changed!! that’s so weird
Hi Gabi what about replacing the bread with quinoa?
When do you add the everything seasoning? 🙂
garnish!
Another awesome and delicious use for your seasonings! We LOVE them!!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try! I am so glad I discovered you!
This looks delish! Where can we find your seasoning? I want it!
it’s linked in the recipe but here for easy access: https://rstyle.me/n/c2qpcjnere
How to prepare the panko breadcrumbs, buttered and toasted? Thank you.
correct
Excellent! My husband loved it. I forgot the avocado but still delicious!
I would like to make this tonight, but I don’t have your seasoning on hand. What can I garnish with that would be similar?
Another awesome recipe! What’s your favorite extra-virgin oil?
I don’t have a fav!
Hi Gabi,
This salad seems so good… what about replacing the bread with quinoa or cuscus?
I never cook but would like to start trying some of your recipes.
Thank you for sharing!
Miren
sure!! sounds yummy
This salad is perfection! Made it tonight and I am in love!! The breadcrumbs are amazing and must not be left out. Delish!!!!
Hi, the link to the seasoning is broken ….
it’s working for me!? Huh! maybe try again? LMK!
I’m in the UK and rstyleme won’t let me on the web site, so I can’t see the seasoning at all to work out what I could use instead.
LMK if this helps https://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/food/meet-the-makers/gaby-dalkin/
What’s your thoughts on farmed vs wild caught salmon?
I much prefer wild caught!
This looks so good! Going to try it. How many servings would you say this makes?
2 as a main, 4 as a side
Can I use regular kale or does it need to be Tuscan?
either works
Just tried this recipe, so delicious! I did add a little Dijonaise to the dressing. Had Heritage pork chops as the protein….definitely a staple in our house!
Can’t wait to try some more of your recipes and I love watching you and the hubby on Instagram TV!
Keep up the great food!
Beth
wait do you really cut the kale 1/16 of an inch?? the photos look much thicker. Making this tonight 🙂
you can do it however you want! I like it thin!
HI! Just saw your IG video for this recipe and wondering where you linked the knife and cheese grater?
Thanks!
https://dev.afterhoursagency.com/wgc/whats-gaby-cooking-master-list/
I made this for dinner for me. Party of 1. It was delicious and best part easy and fast. Thanks Gaby!
very yummy~ I marinated the kale in the dressing for 45 min, and I think it helped. Also did the salmon on the grill, which added a depth of flavor. Thanks for the great recipe!
Obsessed with this one. I used GF panko and vegan butter due to our family’s dietary restrictions and it was still sooooo goooooood.
Getting the Tuscan kale makes this the most Incredible salad. Thanks for teaching me how to properly cook salmon! Yum!!!! Love this salad!
This is great! We’ve made it a few times and it’s always a big hit. Our toddler loves it too.
AMAZING.
We LOVE this recipe! The salmon comes out perfectly cooked and the combination of ingredients is absolutely delicious.
This salad is next level… especially the dressing + breadcrumb combo! Seriously make it 🙂
QUESTION GABY – I’m thinking about buying the gift crate with your seasonings as an xmas gift. Wondering whether or not I need the cookbook to supplement. Do a lot of your recipes in your cookbook use the seasoning? I know I’ve seen some of your recipes online use it (like this one), but haven’t seen it in the cookbook. Although I know the cookbook is great on its own just wondering if it needs to be a combo. xo
Thanks!
Not so much in the cookbook – BUT it is a nice addition!
How many tablespoons of olive oil do you use?
it says in the directions – usually a few tablespoons! 3-4
This is my new lunch every day! I love it.
Made this for myself and my husband, who, if asked, claims he hates kale, lemon, and avocado (apparently I ruined that for him), and who is currently completely defeated by covid-19, working from home, and keeping two toddlers occupied. What could go wrong. He took one bite and asked, who’s recipe is this? I answered, Gaby’s, at which he rolled his eyes (he’s been forced to listen to your instalives too many times) and proceeded to eat in cranky silence. Then he announces it was the best Caesar salad he’s ever eaten. And because one compliment was one too many, he added, I was also really hungry.
This salad was awesome. I did massage the kale with a little oil (I heard that’s a thing?) before adding the dressing. And I used plain breadcrumbs instead of panko and grated Parmesan (because covid19) and they worked great! Thank you for such a great recipe! Can’t wait to make it again!
stay safe and so happy he loved it! xx
We put this recipe in our cookbook of regularly made meals 🙂 So delish!
One of my all time favorite salads! Although I’ve never actually made it with the salmon.. Someday!
It’s delicious, easy, and makes bringing salad to lunch a breeze. You can dress it and leave it in the fridge for a few days and since the kale is tough, it doesn’t get soggy and you don’t have to worry about a pesky salad dressing container! Just make sure to add fresh avocado in the morning and omit the breadcrumbs (even through the breadcrumbs might be the highlight of the dish!).
Thanks for yet another great one, Gaby!!
Yum! Love the kale combo.
This salad is amazing and your instructions on the salmon yield the perfect cook.
I subbed gluten free Panko, vegan butter and cheese. It still turned out amazing.
Holy this was so good. I’ve ordered this at [will remain nameless] restaurant and it was terrible (too much kale, not enough dressing or salmon). This recipe is so easy and so delicious!! It’s what I thought I’d ordered at that namelesss restaurant. Correction—it’s way better than what I imagined I ordered. OMG THANK YOU.
This is amazing! We made this recipe exactly as written and it turned out beautifully! I will definitely add this Go-To Kale Salad to my recipe box!
Made this last night and it was a hit with the entire family. My kids don’t like salmon so I grilled some chicken for them but we loved the salmon with it. It came together quickly and was delicious. Definitely a keeper!
This dressing is really is amazing! I’ve made extra dressing just to keep on hand!
Do you take the spine out of the kale?
yes!
YUM! Just had leftovers for lunch. Super delish both times.
What if you don’t have the “Gaby’s This is Everything” Seasoning?
The best salad! My husband didn’t want the salmon mixed into his salad so I just served it on the side. We also added some garlic powder to the breadcrumbs because that’s how we like them. Otherwise we made the recipe exactly as written and it was excellent. It was a wonderful and easy meal to make for a weeknight dinner. And now I have leftover kale salad and salmon for lunch!
Love….love…love! Agree, “worth the wait.”Easy and delicious! Next time I’ll take a picture. This recipe will be saved as a family favorite. Everyone gave it a thumbs up!
On your IG post, you bake the salmon. What temp and for how long do you bake the salmon?
either works! I broiled it on my reel for 8-10 mins