Chopped Kale Salad with Edamame, Carrot and Avocado
A colorful chopped kale salad bursting with Asian flavors, including ginger, cilantro, Thai basil and soy. This salad is vegan and gluten free.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 29, 2024
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Hello from sunny San Diego! I’ve been soaking up sunshine on the beach and clinking drinks with a good friend over the past few days. Maybe a little too much of each. For once, I’m looking forward to returning to my regular routine. Long walks with Cookie and big green salads like this one sound mighty appealing at the moment.
Before I skipped town, P.F. Chang’s challenged me to create an original recipe containing a few of their summer seasonal ingredients. Avocado, pineapple, quinoa, lime, red bell pepper, Thai basil? Challenge accepted! I really love creating recipes around special ingredients; constraints seem to inspire creativity. Please let me know if you have any recipe requests for me.
For this challenge, I ended up an Asian-inspired kale salad tossed in a homemade tamari-ginger vinaigrette. It’s loaded with crisp carrots, bell pepper and snap peas, and balanced with creamy avocado and edamame. The kale salad recipes on this blog are among my favorites, but this one might just be tops.
I only wish I had one of these detoxifying kale salads waiting for me at home. Cookie and I walk past a P.F. Chang’s every evening, so we might sample their fresh summer menu while my fridge is empty.
Chopped Kale Salad with Edamame, Carrot and Avocado
A colorful chopped kale salad bursting with Asian flavors, including ginger, cilantro, Thai basil and soy. This salad is vegan and gluten free, so it would make a great potluck dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 bunch kale (preferably lacinato/Tuscan/dinosaur kale but regular curly kale works, too)
- fine-grain sea salt
- 1 cup chopped snow peas (slice off tough ends first)
- 1 large carrot, peeled and ribboned with a vegetable peeler
- 1 small red bell pepper, deseeded and chopped
- 1 heaping cup organic edamame (if using frozen edamame, defrost by tossing into a pot of boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes)
- 1 avocado, pitted and sliced into small chunks
- 1 large shallot, finely sliced
- handful cilantro, chopped
- handful Thai basil (or regular basil), chopped
Tamari-Ginger Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium tamari (or other low-sodium soy sauce*)
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
Instructions
- Use a chef’s knife to remove the tough ribs from the kale, then discard them. Chop the kale leaves into small, bite-sized pieces and transfer them to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the kale with a dash of sea salt and use your hands to massage the kale by scrunching up the leaves in your hands and releasing until the kale is a darker green and fragrant. Toss the remaining salad dressing ingredients with the kale.
- To make the vinaigrette, whisk together all the ingredients until emulsified. Toss the dressing with the salad and serve.
Notes
Yields 2 enormous salads or 4 medium.
Storage suggestions: Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for a day or two.
*Make it gluten free: Tamari is a gluten-free Japanese soy sauce that has a flavor I love and is readily available at stores. If you want your salad to be gluten-free, be sure to pick a gluten-free soy sauce.
Want more kale salads? Check out my kale salad roundup and tips!
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by P.F. Chang’s. All thoughts are my own, always. Thank you for being supportive of the sponsors that help me serve up more recipes.
Looks simple, fresh and wonderfully tasty!
This was really good! Had it with a fried egg on top and it was a really filling lunch! Thank you :)
Hooray! Thanks, PN!
I made it for the first time for a picnic this weekend, and it was a hit! What an awesome salad. Many people asked me for the recipe, so I am sharing your website. I cannot wait to make this again!
Hooray! Happy to hear it. Thank you for sharing my blog with your friends!
Great salad! Awesome combination of veggies. I used sesame oil instead of olive oil; rave reviews on the dressing!
Thank you, Tara!
This salad is amazing. Didn’t have peas but didn’t miss them. Also didn’t have basil (will try it next time I make it). I also added toasted slivered almonds.
This will be my go to summer salad for pot lucks!
Thanks, Jill! So glad you enjoyed it!
I actually make this recipe all the time, it’s definitely one of my favs! Thanks so much for the recipe!! =)
Thank you, Aria! Glad to hear it!
A friend brought this to A BBQ, and it was delicious! Think she made this as stated. I couldn’t get enough. I will be making it very soon.
Glad to hear it! Hope you enjoy it at home!
where is the nutritional info?
I’m sorry, I don’t provide nutrition breakdowns for my recipes since they vary so much depending on actual ingredients used.
Love this salad! Great blend of flavors and textures.
One note: The dressing is MUCH better if you make it the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight. This allows the pressed garlic and fresh ginger to seep into the rest of the sauce (if you are in a hurry I recommend using powdered ginger and garlic for the same effect, but it’s not as good as fresh). I found this out by accident when making a pot sticker sauce that has almost the same ingredients as this dressing. It didn’t taste right when I made it. But when I had leftovers the next day it was perfect! Just a tip!
Thanks, Josh! Great idea!
Wow! I have had this recipe in my to do book for a while. I finally made it tonight, and this is the best kale salad I have ever had! Possibly the best salad I’ve ever had. Thank you so much Kate!! Xo
Yay! Thank you, Carina!
I made this recipe. Have to say the dressing is fantastic- thank you. I substituted coconut aminos for tamari…and used two tablespoons instead of one…but other than than…everyone loved it!
-V
Thanks, Vivek! Glad to hear it!
Made this salad this week for lunch…my husband and loved it! Our 15 month old even enjoyed nibbling on all of the veggies in it! :)
Delicious salad! Loved the combination of all the veggies. The dressing definitely stole the show though.
Thank you Katie!
Thank you, Ariana! So glad you enjoyed it.
We loved it & don’t usually like kale salads. Thank you!
Victory! Thanks, Kelsey! :)
I’m not surprised PF Chang’s didn’t bother telling you it’s extremely rude and considered bad luck in Asian culture to stand your chopsticks up in food like that, because PF Chang’s isn’t real Asian food.
You both need to get a clue.
Made this salad tonight. It was awesome. Will definitely be making it again!
So simple. Didn’t have any edamame so just threw in a few tomatoes. Textures, flavours and colours all wonderful together. Thank you!
ITS NOT SIMPLE
Thank you for sharing this recipe! The vinaigrette was amazing. My little one who normally does not like salads even enjoyed it. This recipe is a keeper!
Mmmmmhh, just amazing yummy!
:)
How many calories is in 1 serving?
Unfortunately, I don’t have nutritional info available for my recipes just yet. I’m looking for a solution, and will update about it once I find one. Thanks!
We tried this salad last night for dinner. We used the recommendation to add mangoes and cashews. The salad was fantastic – a real symphony of flavors! It was filling, and kept well to have leftovers the next day (even the avocado!). It took a good bit of time chopping all the veggies, but so worth it. Thank you for sharing your creativity in these recipes!
I’m so happy you enjoyed these flavors!
Would you recommend adding avocado as served rather than all at once? I usually do meal prep on Sunday and would hate to have browned avocado a couple days later. Excited to make this!
Yes, if you’re prepping this for later in the week, I’d add the avocado right before serving.
Made it y’day with a few variations. Added whatever leftover produce was there with kale instead of edemmame and carrot. Nevertheless the vinegratte added a party in our mouths with every bite. Thanks Kate!
This is a really good one for whatever you had on hand. I’m so glad it worked out so well, Pallavi! Thanks for reading.
You said the salad keeps well, in just wondering if I pack it for my lunch the night before, should I dress it and let it marinade or bring the dressing separate?
Looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
You can marinate this salad and then store. Kale is great that way since it is a little sturdier compared to other salad varieties.
I think the “nutritional information” section is blank :(
Try it again! I was working through some issues awhile back, but should be resolved now.
Oh awesome! Thanks Kate ^-^
This is unbelievable. Why was this so good!? It’s so simple, so easy! It’s the dressing, I think. I made it twice in two weeks and again just last week for a work potluck and it got compliments. Thank you! Regular rotation.
Absolutely! It’s a hit for large groups. Thanks for the review, Stephanie.
Great salad and good advice about using kale in salads.
I made this today…oh my goodness…SO GOOD! I have some honey-ginger balsamic, and wanted a just a little more “tang”, so threw in a few splashes. But my husband loved it without the extra “tang”.
Thank you for the recipe!
Hooray! Thank you for sharing, Roxanne. I appreciate the review!
This was a great, hearty dinner salad! I substituted yellow squash for the red pepper (only because of heartburn) & added a small amount of chili garlic sauce to the dressing for a little zing! My husband and I made this a giant salad after a workout & absolutely demolished it!! Thanks for the kale tips – it made a huge difference!
Thanks for sharing your variation, Peggy!
This kale salad was superb! I didn’t have snow peas or basil, so left those out. Added cilantro/ coriander and it gave a nice zip. My kids now love kale so I am slowly working my way through this website. Having a huge delicious filling salad at dinner every night is a bonus for me!
It’s a great salad! There are more on here too I bet you will love, too.
This was a hit!! Served as a side salad with a Bahn Mi make-you-own-sandwich bar for dinner with a big crowd of adults and kids ranging from 12 to 18 years old. The dressing is excellent and the mix of ingredients and flavors is very satisfying. We love kale salads and this one is definitely going into the family menu rotation! Thank you.
Sounds like a great idea, Elizabeth!
Love the look of this, and would like to add it to my meal prep. What can I do to make it last longer in the fridge?
I find it only keeps for a few days, but you could try adding the avocado per serving. That may help.
I’ve been making this salad (with tweaks) for several years and we just love it. I add about 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa and extra edamame, and I shred the carrots. And I make it oil-free by subbing cashews (or walnuts) and water for the oil (1/3 cup of each) and blending the dressing in my Vitamix.
Thank you for sharing, Linda! I’m happy to hear it.
So fresh and light but hearty! Great summer lunch. I made it soy free by substituting coco aminos + umami seasoning from Trader Joe’s for the soy sauce and it still came out great!
Great way to substitute, Sarah! Thank you for sharing.
This was an A-MAZING salad! LOVED the colors,crunch and flavors. I thought the edamame added a really nice “crunch” (If you can call edamame crunchy! lol). I really felt like I was “eating the rainbow.” Carrot ribbons added a bit of “chefi-ness” (class) to the look. Next time, I might reduce the ginger for my own preference. I will DIFINITELY BE MAKING THIS AGAIN!!!!! Love, love, LOVE! I’d add a pic, but I’m not on Instagram. And next year, I’m growing lacinato kale again–the only kind I grow as the bugs don’t seem to “bug” it. :)
How come I had never made this kale salad before ? Probably because it is not part of your “12 favorite kale salad”. It could though. We loved it, as 99% of the other CnK kale salads we have tried. It’s great how different all of them are, no risk of getting bored with kale salads. Well done, vegetarian queen!
Thank you, Nathalie! I’m happy you enjoyed it.
What would be a good sub for the edame?
Hi You could omit it if you like. Chickpeas could also work.
Amazing salad, so colourful and tasty! will become a staple in my family! Thank you Kate!!!