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
- Author:
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Asian
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 Information
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.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Katrina @ WVS
Love, love, love all the colours in this salad Kate!! And that dressing looks awesome too!
Joy
Amazing blend of flavors and the snow peas add the perfect crunch.
Kate
Thank you, Joy!
cassie
I love everything about this salad. Great flavors!
cristina
mmmm..all look super delicious!!!
Thess
this looks yummy! definitely try it tonight.
Thanks so much for your wonderful recipes.
ItalianGirlCooks
Looks amazing and so pretty – great ingredients, and the Asian flavors make it even better!
Kiran
So much yummyness and color! I love chopped salad. You can never go wrong with delicious flavors :)
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
San Diego?! Lucky girl, enjoy! Such a vibrant salad, I love the Thai basil!
Suzanne@hello, veggy
I’m loving edamame this summer; thanks for the recipe!
Sofia
I love your kale salads. Can’t wait to try this one!
Tieghan
Cannot wait to make this. It looks so good and fresh and just awesome!
Gluten Free Aruba
So colorful and delicious! I really not for edamame but it overall I’m sure it is yummy!
Emma
Asian flavours, kale and avocado are always delicious (although I’ve never had them all together) and edamame are especially doing it for me right now, so I know I’d love this salad :)
Angela
Oh.my.goodness… this looks AMAZING!! I have a kale salad going up on my blog tomorrow morning, but I love your Asian twist! Especially that ginger tamari dressing…. I think this is going to be on my weekend menu for sure!
Sophie
Yummer! i know how it is, starting to crave anything GREEN after I’ve been splurging for a couple days. This salad looks just perfect! :)
Dan from PlatterTalk
If this beauty is for detoxification purposes then I say, slip me a few free radicals. Looks incredibly delicious, and good for you.
Chelsea Preedy
I have been on the lookout for a new kale recipe. It seems that our garden is the perfect place for kale and that means that I have so much that I don’t even know what to do with it anymore. I am going to test out this salad. It looks so fresh and lovely!
Grace @FoodFitnessFA
This sounds awesome. After a vacation, this is definitely the kind of light recipe I want to return to. Love the edamame in it!
Hannah
Yummy, this looks really delicious – a symphony of tasty, healthy colour! :)
Jess
I love the vacation – real life balance. It’s so much fun to indulge on vacation and then fully enjoy the full return to home and healthier routines. Have a wonderful trip, Kate!
Joanne
I always feel like I do better with creating recipes when I have constraints as well. So weird.
Anyways this salad! Gorgeous! And totally what I want in my belly. Like…now.
Christy
1: I love that glass salad bowl! 2- What a great combination of colors! Hope you’re having a blast in San Diego :)
Joshua Hampton
This salad looks so bright and tasty. This is the kind of salad my wife digs. And I bet I can make my son eat this too.
Lindsey
I love kale-based salads; they’re so good for a pack-up lunch for a picnic, or a beach day. I always find that the dressing never wilts the leaves too much, which is awesome. Great dressing recipe too!
Tracy
This salad is a lot of work, but it is worth it. The dressing is delicious! This is a keeper.
Kate
Thank you, Tracy! I’m so glad you found it to be worth the effort. I think that you could skip a couple add-ins (peas, red peppers) next time and it would still be very good.
Rosie
Wow, this salad looks delicious! Bookmarking to make ASAP! Love love love your blog, it’s so wonderful.
Superfoods for skin
Sounds tasty Kate! Kale has some amazing health benefits and avocado is great for the skin, will try this recipe out thanks very much for sharing :O)
★★★★★
Kyra
This salad is amazing! I travel a fair bit and made it three times in one week – each time for a very appreciative family member! I am not vegetarian, so added shrimp to it (at my coworkers suggestion) as well as cashews! It’s a superb salad and i’m so glad you introduced me to it!!!!!
Gena
All of your kale salads are great, but this one is particularly calling my name right now! It looks absolutely delicious.
Dee Dee
I love edamame, but kale in a salad is something I still need to master and love. I will definitely try this recipe. Thanks!
★★★★★
Elinor
This salad was enormously popular even with my picky teenage sister who shuns greens. I love the edamame for the protein and the carrot ribbons for their festive colour. The dressing is delicious too, though I added quite a lot more ginger and lime than it calls for. I always chop up the veggies ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until serving time, when I add the dressing & avocado. It makes the prep a little easier. Thanks for a great recipe!
pren
one quick note and im not sure if its been mentioned before but regular soy sauce is not gluten free. i only know this because my BF cant have gluten, its something i never would have thought of previously. if youre going to take this to a pot luck and say its gluten free please be sure to use gluten free soy sauce. that gluten is a sneaky devil. hiding in all sorts of unexpected places. cant wait to make this tonight! thanks for the recipe!!
Kate
Great point, Pren. Thanks for sharing! I try to note these things the best I can, but they’re easy to gloss over.
pren
oh i see you had that as a note at the bottom! sorry :0)
Rachel @thedessertch
I was looking for a great asian kale salad recipe and this looks perfect! Making this for dinner tomorrow night. Thanks so much!
Kate
Hope you loved the salad, Rachel!
marquis @realrawkitc
Oh my goodness this looks so delicious! Just a bowl full of color :)
Joseph Spinelli
I can’t stand kale. I use it for juicing but i don’t like the taste of it. I had some dinosaur kale left over and made this salad and it was AWESEOME!!!. WOW, I can’t believe it. I ate my entire serving. I served it with some Samosas from Whole Foods and it really made a great meal for my family. Thanks for posting this. I am going to look around and sample some of your other recipes.
Kate
Joseph, so glad to hear that you’re a kale convert! I have several other kale salads that you might love. Thanks for commenting!
Amanda
I just finished making this salad, it is amazingly delicious!
★★★★★
Lori Pickard
This salad is awesome!!! We paired it with fresh baked cod and it was a delightful combination. It was my first time trying kale, I will definitely be making this salad again soon.
Kate
Lori, thank you! So glad you enjoyed your first kale experience. :)
Erin
I absolutely love this salad! The dressing is unique and flavourful. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I intend on making it again this week.
★★★★★
Kate
Awesome, glad to hear it! Thanks, Erin.
John
Would substituting Sugar Snap for Snow Peas change the character or the crunch factor?
Sincere. Thanks
Kate
Hi John, I think the difference between the two would be pretty insignificant. Either one are great options.
John
Thanks. You rock.
Courtney
Amazing! And so tasty! Thanks for the great recipe :)
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks, Courtney! Happy to hear it!
Lisa
Wow I LOVED this salad, I mixed it with cooked brown rice and it was just delicious. The dressing is awsome. Thanks for sharing.
Kate
Awesome! Thanks, Lisa. I bet it’s terrific with rice.
Kate
I LOVE this salad, and virtually lived off of it for several months last summer when you first posted the recipe. I’ve re-found it again this summer and it’s just as good as the first time. I like to add chopped mango and cashews to the mix, and if I make it for dinner, I add prawns too. Fantastic every which way!
★★★★★
Kate
Woohoo! Thanks, Kate! Now I want to try your mango cashew version!
Joanne
Wow! When kale salad is the item I want seconds of, you know it’s GOOD. Thanks you much for sharing.
★★★★★
Kate
Yay!!! Thanks, Joanne!
vicki
Just had to thank you for the FANTASTIC recipe. I’ve tried four separate kale salad recipes in the past few months and this is by FAR my fav.
Now, if I can just get my (processed-food-loving) 14 yr old son to agree…
★★★★★
Kate
Hooray! Thanks, Vicki! If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t eat kale at 14, either! :)
J
I just made this salad this evening. It totally changed how I approach salad. I always wanted to do this but didn’t know how to prep the kale. I followed your simple directions and viola! I added basil to the dressing b/c of no cilantro and it was still wonderful. I am a busy teacher and usually tired after work but I had such a fun, relaxing time creating this. It didn’t hurt that I had project runway on while I ripped up the kale… Anyway, thank you!
Kate
Thank you, J! Delighted to hear that you enjoyed this salad so much. I have quite a few other kale salads you might enjoy over here: https://cookieandkate.com/2014/12-favorite-kale-salads/
Rebecca
Another phenomenal salad. Loved all the colors and flavors, especially the dressing. My husband did say there was a LOT of chopping involved, but then he was hungry at the time. Thanks for another great recipe!
★★★★★
Alex
Just love all of your recipes! Eating more veggies has never looked this good. Thank you for the inspiration!
Peter
Delicious recipe! A weekly staple at my house. I add 1/2 Tbs of Sesame Oil for a little extra flavor in the dressing.
★★★★★
Kate
So awesome! Thanks, Peter.
DK
This looks delicious and the photos are amazing. One quick suggestion, though: in most Asian cultures, it is considered extremely rude/is a major faux pas to have chopsticks sticking out of the bowl/food. (It would only be done in funerary ceremonies and as such is considered a symbol of death). This is why one would usually see chopsticks either to the side of a dish or laying across the top of a bowl, never sticking out of the food as you have portrayed them in the photos. (Different Asian cultures have different chopstick- and food-customs, but this is pretty much a universally shared taboo.) Since you are framing this as an “Asian” salad, I thought you might want to know this, especially for any future photo shoots.
The recipe sounds great though, and I look forward to trying it out.
Kate
Hi DK, thank you for letting me know. Someone else informed me of that a while ago and I’ve been sure not to make that mistake again! I’d retake these if I could just find the time!
Cate
Looks simple, fresh and wonderfully tasty!
★★★★★
PN
This was really good! Had it with a fried egg on top and it was a really filling lunch! Thank you :)
Kate
Hooray! Thanks, PN!
Kimberly
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!
★★★★★
Kate
Hooray! Happy to hear it. Thank you for sharing my blog with your friends!
Tara
Great salad! Awesome combination of veggies. I used sesame oil instead of olive oil; rave reviews on the dressing!
Kate
Thank you, Tara!
Jill
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!
Kate
Thanks, Jill! So glad you enjoyed it!
Aria
I actually make this recipe all the time, it’s definitely one of my favs! Thanks so much for the recipe!! =)
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Aria! Glad to hear it!
BG
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.
Kate
Glad to hear it! Hope you enjoy it at home!
judi
where is the nutritional info?
Kate
I’m sorry, I don’t provide nutrition breakdowns for my recipes since they vary so much depending on actual ingredients used.
Josh
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!
Kate
Thanks, Josh! Great idea!
Carina
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
★★★★★
Kate
Yay! Thank you, Carina!
Vivek
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
Kate
Thanks, Vivek! Glad to hear it!
Jenny
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! :)
Ariana
Delicious salad! Loved the combination of all the veggies. The dressing definitely stole the show though.
Thank you Katie!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Ariana! So glad you enjoyed it.
Kelsey
We loved it & don’t usually like kale salads. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
Victory! Thanks, Kelsey! :)
May
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.
Barbara
Made this salad tonight. It was awesome. Will definitely be making it again!
★★★★★
Jen
So simple. Didn’t have any edamame so just threw in a few tomatoes. Textures, flavours and colours all wonderful together. Thank you!
OUTLAW
ITS NOT SIMPLE
L
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!
★★★★★
Jojo
Mmmmmhh, just amazing yummy!
★★★★★
Kate
:)
betty zang
How many calories is in 1 serving?
★★★★
Kate
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!
Kristi and Bob
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!
★★★★★
Kate
I’m so happy you enjoyed these flavors!
Elice McKinley
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!
Kate
Yes, if you’re prepping this for later in the week, I’d add the avocado right before serving.
Pallavi
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!
★★★★★
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.
Jess
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!
Kate
You can marinate this salad and then store. Kale is great that way since it is a little sturdier compared to other salad varieties.
Katie
I think the “nutritional information” section is blank :(
Kate
Try it again! I was working through some issues awhile back, but should be resolved now.
Katie
Oh awesome! Thanks Kate ^-^
★★★★★
Stephanie
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.
★★★★★
Kate
Absolutely! It’s a hit for large groups. Thanks for the review, Stephanie.
L. Erickson
Great salad and good advice about using kale in salads.
Roxanne
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!
★★★★★
Kate
Hooray! Thank you for sharing, Roxanne. I appreciate the review!
Peggy L Wallace
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!
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks for sharing your variation, Peggy!
Allison
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!
★★★★★
Kate
It’s a great salad! There are more on here too I bet you will love, too.
Elizabeth
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.
★★★★★
Kate
Sounds like a great idea, Elizabeth!
Krithika
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?
Kate
I find it only keeps for a few days, but you could try adding the avocado per serving. That may help.
Linda L Dale
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.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Linda! I’m happy to hear it.
Sarah
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!
★★★★★
Kate
Great way to substitute, Sarah! Thank you for sharing.
Kathy
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. :)
★★★★★
Nathalie
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!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Nathalie! I’m happy you enjoyed it.
CHRIS
What would be a good sub for the edame?
Kate
Hi You could omit it if you like. Chickpeas could also work.