Kale Salad Bowl Tahini Dressing (Printable)

Tender massaged kale meets roasted vegetables and nuts in a creamy tahini dressing for a satisfying healthy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large bunch kale (about 7 oz), stems removed, leaves torn
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

04 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
05 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 zucchini, sliced
07 - 1 small red onion, sliced
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for roasting
09 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Nuts and Seeds

10 - 1/4 cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
12 - 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

→ Tahini Dressing

13 - 1/4 cup tahini
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 3 to 4 tablespoons water, to desired consistency
18 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
19 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Toss sweet potato, red bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
03 - Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tender and golden brown.
04 - While vegetables roast, place kale in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Massage with your hands for 2 to 3 minutes until leaves are softened and vibrant green.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add water gradually while whisking until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
06 - Add roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds to the massaged kale.
07 - Drizzle with tahini dressing and toss gently to combine all ingredients. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The kale softens just enough that each bite feels buttery, not tough or bitter like kale sometimes pretends to be.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, including roasting time, so it's actually realistic for busy days.
  • That tahini dressing is creamy without any cream, and it somehow makes every vegetable taste better than it has any right to.
02 -
  • Massaging kale is non-negotiable; if you skip it thinking you'll save thirty seconds, the salad turns into a leafy chore instead of something you actually want to eat.
  • The tahini dressing thickens as it sits, so make it slightly looser than you think you want it to be, and you can always add a splash more water at serving time.
03 -
  • If your tahini dressing breaks or looks grainy, start fresh with a clean bowl and whisk in the old mixture slowly; it usually means the tahini and liquid separated and needs coaxing back together.
  • Taste the kale after massaging it; if it still feels bitter, give it another minute of massage and it should transform into something mild and almost sweet.
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