Kale Greek Salad

Imagine a salad that's as nutritious as it is delicious, enter Kale Greek Salad, we have blended this leafy powerhouse with the vibrant elements of a Greek salad. So you're getting your daily dose of vitamins and yummy Mediterranean flavours all in one bite!

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An aerial view of kale Greek salad on a white plate with a blue napkin on the side.

Picture lush kale, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a zingy homemade oregano dressing.

It's more than just a salad; it’s your ticket to a fresh, nutritious, and effortlessly Mediterranean lifestyle.

Or why not check out our delicious collection of Greek salad recipes for more mouthwatering Mediterranean options?

In This Post:

Ingredients and Substitutions

Kale, a powerhouse of nutrition and taste, offering a hearty foundation. If kale isn't your cup of tea, no worries—spinach stands in beautifully, still packing a nutritional punch.
Tomatoes and cucumbers toss in a splash of freshness, contrasted by the crisp bite of green pepper. Go for an aromatic tomato variety such as truss tomatoes or ox heart tomatoes; for cucumbers, opt for a seedless variety such as Lebanese, Persian or Kirby.
For those who find red onion a tad too bold, scallions are a milder substitution, retaining that zesty flavour profile.
Topping off with creamy feta cheese and the salty pop of Kalamata olives, we anchor the salad in its Greek roots. Vegans, you're covered—try seasoned tofu instead of feta or leave out the feta for dairy free version.
Opt for a good quality olive oil, either pure olive oil, virgin olive oil or extra virgin olive oil.
Dried Greek oregano 'rigani' is more aromatic than the dried oregano sold in supermarkets, but if you cannot find it, just use the dried oregano.
You can also swap the salad dressing for one with lemon juice like in our lemon garlic one.

Labelled ingredients needed to make a Kale Greek Salad.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Gather all your ingredients for your Kale Greek Salad and let's get chopping!

Step 1 - Start With the Kale

When prepping your kale, start by giving it a good rinse under cold running water. Then, you can either tear the leafy parts away from the tough ribs or use a knife to cut them off - whichever way works best for you.

Head over to our kale prep post for step-by-step instructions.

Finally, finely shred those vibrant green leaves.

Hands shredding kale leaves with a knife on a wooden board.

Just pop all the vinaigrette goodies into a glass jar, add some seasoning and then shake things up so that everything is perfectly combined.

Shaken oregano vinaigrette in a glass jar with ingredients scattered around.

Now back to the kale - toss those beautiful leaves in a big mixing bowl, sprinkle on some salt, drizzle over the vinaigrette and gently massage them together for about 3-5 minutes.

This little extra TLC session softens up the kale so it's super tasty in your salad. Oh, and remember not to go too crazy with massaging – we want flavourful leaves, not mushy ones!

Hands massaging kale with oregano dressing in a glass bowl.

Step 2 - Prep the Rest of Your Ingredients

Time to get those veggies ready for our delicious Greek kale salad. First, give them a good wash and trim then ends and cores.

Then, chop them into chunky wedges.

A knife cutting heirloom tomatoes into cubes on a wooden board.

For the cucumbers, let's add some flair by peeling alternating strips of green before slicing them into rounds.

Peeling alternate green strips on a cucumber with a peeler.

A knife cutting peeled cucumbers into rounds on a wooden board.

Next up, remove the core and seeds from the bullhorn pepper before cutting it into tasty rounds.

Bullhorn peppers that are sliced into rounds on a wooden board with a knife on the side.

Thinly slice the onions vertically to create elegant, delicate slices.

Slicing red onion into thin wedges with a knife on a wooden board.

Finally, it's time to take on the creamy, tangy feta cheese. You can either cut it into bite-sized cubes or go for the crumbled feta, whichever you prefer!

A knife cutting feta into bite-sized cubes on a wooden board.

Step 3 - Assembling Your Kale Greek Salad

Once you've got all your chopped goodies ready, pop them into the big mixing bowl with your massaged kale.

Scatter the olives and diced feta across your salad canvas, then give it a good sprinkle of oregano, salt and pepper for flavour.

Prepared Kale Greek Salad ingredients in a glass bowl.

Mix everything together until it's nicely combined, then have a taste test to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Enjoy!

Mixing kale Greek Salad in a glass bowl with tongs.

Serving Suggestions 🍽

So, alongside your tasty kale Greek salad, you could whip up some grilled chicken or maybe some lemon-herb roasted salmon fillets, or some lamb kebabs, falafel with hummus, or some stuffed grape leaves (Dolmades).

It pairs well with grilled meats, anything BBQ, roasts, traditional Greek dishes, pasta, and more.

Common Questions and Tips

Do I have to massage my kale?

Massaging kale softens the leaves and makes them easier to chew and digest. It also helps release sugars to balance its bitterness for a much tastier salad.

What if I’m not a fan of feta cheese?

No problem! For those not keen on feta swap for some grilled halloumi or some Parmesan flakes.
If you are looking for a vegan alternative, diced avocado or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast are fabulous substitutes.
This ensures your kale Greek salad remains true to its Mediterranean roots while accommodating different dietary preferences.
For a dairy free or vegan versions simply swap for vegan feta cheese.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

Definitely! Preparing your kale Greek salad in advance is a fantastic time-saving tip for quick meals or weekly meal prep.
Toss the dressing through the kale and add the remaining chopped ingredients to your salad right before serving to keep everything fresh and crispy.
Kale is remarkably resilient and maintains its texture, making it ideal for advance prep.

How should I store leftover salad?

If you find yourself with leftovers, pop them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge.
Kale Greek salad is best enjoyed within 2-4 days to savour the crispness of the veggies and the freshness of the ingredients.