Kale Salad Bowl Tahini (Printable)

Tender massaged kale with roasted vegetables, crunchy nuts, seeds, and creamy tahini dressing for a satisfying plant-based meal.

# What you'll need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large bunch kale (about 7 ounces), 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
18 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
19 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
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. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tender and golden brown.
03 - 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 bright green in color.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add water gradually while stirring until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
05 - Add roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds to the massaged kale.
06 - Drizzle with tahini dressing and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but leaves you energized instead of sluggish, which feels like cheating somehow.
  • You can prep the roasted vegetables ahead and toss the salad together in under five minutes on a busy night.
  • The tahini dressing clings to every leaf and seed, turning simple ingredients into something you actually look forward to eating.
02 -
  • Don't skimp on massaging the kale because it's the difference between tough, bitter greens and tender, almost buttery leaves.
  • Add the water to the tahini dressing slowly because it can go from too thick to too runny in one careless pour.
  • Let the roasted vegetables cool for a minute before tossing them with the kale so the greens stay fresh and don't wilt from the heat.
03 -
  • Toast the pumpkin and sunflower seeds in a dry skillet for a few minutes before adding them to intensify their flavor and crunch.
  • If your tahini is too thick or separated, stir it well before measuring because consistency varies wildly between brands.
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it over the salad and adjust the lemon, salt, or sweetness to match your mood that day.
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