Crisp & Clean: The Low-Cal Kale Salad with Lemon + Creamy Avocado
Sometimes, the simplest meals are the ones your body thanks you for the most. This kale salad is fresh, light, and elevated — perfect when you want something clean, but still crave flavor and texture. The lemon dressing brings the brightness, the kale brings the minerals, and the avocado adds just the right touch of creaminess to make it all feel like a meal. It’s low-calorie, nutrient-dense, and 100% worthy of your wellness routine.
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
1 bunch curly or lacinato kale, de-stemmed and finely chopped
½ ripe avocado, diced
½ cup shaved fennel or thinly sliced cucumber
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds or hemp seeds
A small handful of microgreens or sprouts
Optional: A few slices of watermelon radish or 2 tbsp pickled red onion for extra crunch and color
For the Lemon Dressing:
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp maple syrup (or raw honey)
1 tbsp olive oil (or skip for an even lighter version)
Pinch of sea salt
Cracked black pepper
Optional: ¼ tsp garlic powder or ½ clove fresh garlic, minced
Instructions:
Add the chopped kale to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and massage the kale for 30–60 seconds to soften it.
In a separate bowl or jar, whisk together all the lemon dressing ingredients until emulsified.
Drizzle the dressing over the kale and toss to coat.
Gently fold in the diced avocado, cucumber or fennel, and any optional toppings.
Finish with a sprinkle of seeds and a handful of microgreens. Serve immediately or let it chill for 10 minutes to let the flavors soak in.
Why You’ll Love It:
Low in calories, high in nutrients — with fiber, vitamin K, and healthy fats
Supports digestion + detox with lemon and raw greens
Creamy + crunchy all in one bite, no compromise on flavor
Perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or as a reset meal any day of the week