<span data-slate-fragment="JTVCJTdCJTIydHlwZSUyMiUzQSUyMnBhcmFncmFwaCUyMiUyQyUyMmNoaWxkcmVuJTIyJTNBJTVCJTdCJTIydGV4dCUyMiUzQSUyMkFzaWFuJTIwS2FsZSUyMGFuZCUyMFNhbG1vbiUyMFNhbGFkJTIwaXMlMjBjaG9jay1mdWxsJTIwb2YlMjB2aWJyYW50JTJDJTIwbnV0cmllbnQtcmljaCUyMHZlZ2dpZXMlMjBhbmQlMjB0b3NzZWQlMjB3aXRoJTIwYSUyMHppbmd5JTIwQXNpYW4tY2l0cnVzJTIwZHJlc3NpbmcuJTIyJTdEJTVEJTdEJTVE">Asian Kale and Salmon Salad is chock-full of vibrant, nutrient-rich veggies and tossed with a zingy Asian-citrus dressing.</span>
If you’re in need of some sunshine today, I’m thrilled to share the recipe for Asian Kale and Salmon Salad. This fresh, vibrant, and healthy salad is a feast for the eyes and stomach!
Pus, if the saying is true that you are what you eat, then we’ll all be health goddesses after devouring this salad which combines antioxidant-rich kale and red cabbage with crunchy veggies including carrot, cucumber, and green onions — all tossed in a zingy, Asian-inspired citrus dressing.
Salmon fillets, which are high in fatty acids that can help boost your mood, are marinated in the salad dressing then quickly seared and placed on top.
Sweet orange slices seal the deal and add a burst of freshflavor to this tasty salad that is definitely classified as feel-good-food!
Start the Asian Kale and Salmon Salad by making the salmon marinade and salad dressing which are one and the same.
In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine rice vinegar and orange juice — store bought or fresh squeezed.
Next add fresh lime juice and low-sodium gluten free Tamari (or soy sauce if not GF).
Next is sesame oil and honey.
Followed by a fresh garlic clove and freshly grated ginger. If you don’t have fresh ginger, powdered ginger works in a pinch!
Whir the ingredients together then set the marinade/dressing aside while you prep the salmon. You’ll want 2, 4-6oz fillets.
Season the salmon filets with salt and pepper then place inside a gallon-size ziplock bag or shallow dish and add some of the marinade.
Let the salmon sit and infuse with flavor while you make the salad.
To a large mixing bowl add curly kale that’s been stripped from their tough stems then chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Now massage the kale. Yes!
Use your fingertips and hands to really get in there and massage the kale. It will start smelling kind of grassy then whither down significantly. After 2-3 minutes the kale should be tender enough to eat. Give a piece a try — if it’s not there, keep massaging.
Time to add the crunchy toppings, including shredded purple cabbage plus peeled, seeded, then chopped cucumber.
Shredded carrots and chopped green onions go in next.
Followed by a segmented orange.
Drizzle in the remaining salad dressing then toss everything to combine.
The last step is to saute the salmon in a nonstick-sprayed skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on one side, then 1-2 minutes on the other.
Divide the salad between two bowls, top with the seared salmon, then sprinkle chopped almonds on top.
Voila, Asian Kale and Salmon Salad is served!
Don’t be intimidated by the length of the ingredient list here – many items are fridge and pantry staples. Besides, we’re worth it! Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 4-6oz salmon fillets
- salt and pepper
- 6 cups chopped curly kale, ~1 large bunch
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded then chopped
- 1 large carrot, shredded
- 1 orange, peeled then segmented
- 1 Tablespoon chopped almonds
For the Marinade/Dressing
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari, or soy sauce if not GF
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic
- salt and pepper
Directions
For the Marinade/Dressing
- Add ingredients into a blender or food processor then blend/process until smooth. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper then place into a gallon-size Ziplock bag or shallow dish and add 2 Tablespoons of the marinade and turn to coat. Marinate on the counter while you prepare the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl add the kale then massage with your fingertips until tender, 1-2 minutes. Add cabbage, green onion, cucumber, carrot, orange segments, and remaining dressing then toss to combine and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat then spray with nonstick spray. Add salmon fillets skin side down then saute for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is golden-brown. Flip then peel off the skins and discard. Saute for another 1-2 more minutes or until salmon is cooked through. Divide salad between bowls then top with salmon and sprinkle chopped almonds on top.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I LOVE salads with meat where you use the same dressing as a marinade. Especially a dressing that sounds as delish as this!
If you’re looking for Charleston tips, you should definitely check out Christina’s blog at hungrymeetshealthy.com! She is constantly making me want to visit!
What a beautiful salad!
I just bought a bunch of kale for kale fried rice, and oranges were on sale, plus we have leftover salmon – and you just made my dinner! Although I must say those pieces of salmon look GORGEOUS, nothing compared to our grocery stores here in southwest VA ( grocery store to remain nameless…ahem..Kroger!).
I’ve never been to Austin or Charleston, but I have yet to check out a place in Texas that I wasn’t a fan of. Of course you can’t go wrong with checking out restaurants from Guy Fieris “diners, drive ins and dives”!
Wow this recipe looks SO good and I amazingly have all of the ingredients in my fridge! Thanks so much for posting! I just love your blog so much! Also I totally feel you on the cabin fever… just booked a weekend trip to San Diego in April to have something fun and warm to look forward to!
Charleston is the best! We are renting a house on Folly Beach for the second time later this year!
Quick list of fun things:
Folly Beach, Husk, Poogans Porch, Jim N Nick’s BBQ,shops on Market Street,Hominy Grill (omg, the pudding!! Alton Brown’s “Favorite Thing” on Food Network!) the Citadel, the Charleston Farmers Market on Saturdays in Marion Square (although your trip may be a bit early for that), King Street shopping, and cooking class at Charleston Cooks! http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/charlestoncooks/charleston/classes/
Have an awesome trip, and can’t wait to see pictures on your blog!
I went to Charleston in October and we went to many places you mentioned, but I think my favorite thing was the chocolate pudding at Hominy Grill. It’s in the top 5 things I’ve ever eaten!
I KNOW!! So good! My sister even stopped there on her way to the airport, had them put it in a to-go box, and ate it on the plane on the way home!
How do you get all the white stuff off the outside of your orange?!
Charleston recs: We were last there in October 2010. It is a beautiful city. We did the USS Yorktown (HUGE aircraft carrier with great views of the city and water) and the submarine next to the Yorktown. Down by the water, just walk around and you will find a random huge pineapple fountain (and lots of other fountains). Keep walking from the pineapple fountain down to Waterfront Park and sit on the swings and watch the water. There are some very pretty houses down by the water too. Hopefully you have nice weather; it was gorgeous (but a little windy) for us when we were there in October. Have fun!
I also think you should check out Poogan’s Porch, such a cute and delicious place!!
I just have to say that your pictures are always so gorgeous! The way that you captured the colors in this dish is phenomenal.
Hi! I have lived in Charleston for the past 9 years, and it is absolutely wonderful! Not sure if you’re staying around King Street, but there is always something going on in that area that is fun, and great shopping! In my opinion, don’t follow the hype that is Husk, bc it has become severely overrated. I would recommend prohibition-style drinks at the Charleston Cocktail club, followed by dinner at The Macintosh, FIG, or Cypress. Another fun place for innovative drinks is The Belmont, and if Ben is craving a steak, you can never go wrong with Hall’s Chop House. A hole in the wall bar, with an awesome beer selection, and the best sandwich I have ever had, the Duck Club, is at The Tattooed Moose. If time allows, you can also go to the Firefly distillery and taste the original sweet tea vodka, among their other tasty beverages! And, of course, Marion Square on the corner of King and Calhoun streets, usually has a farmer’s market going on, is nice place to go to just to be in sunshine.
Let me know if you need any other recommendations – I could go on forever! And, so excited that you’re coming for a visit!! I am such a fan of your blog, and your recipes are such staples in my weekly menu! Thanks for all you do :-)
I lived in Charleston for several years. McCrady’s in Downtown is AMAZING. The meals DH and I had there are some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Tristan is also good, as is Fig and SNOB (Slightly North of Broad).
Sounds yummy!
I love Charleston, it’s one of my favorite places to visit ever! I’ve been several times and will be returning again this July. One of my favs in Charleston is Poogan’s Porch, the Queen St. Grocery is a fun little spot for crepes or an afternoon drink, it has weird hours so make sure to check it out before you head over! Another good thing to do is to tour one of the old homes or venture out of the city a bit to tour a plantation. I’ve toured the Nathanial Russell House (in Charleston) and the Boone Plantation. If you are into shopping, there are some great boutiques along King Street that are from time to time a bit pricey, but worth checking out for sales or smaller items! Have fun, can’t wait to read what you think of Charleston.
Charleston is easily my favorite city in the US -the architecture is beautiful, the cobbled streets are so charming, the weather is great, and it combines the city and the beach – perfect! I know you two will have an awesome time – I cannot wait to see your pictures!!
As far as restaurants, there are a million good ones to try, but my favorite is FIG (http://eatatfig.com/) They use a lot of local food, and have an awesome cocktail menu, plus are located in such a beautiful area of the city.
Excited to try this kale salad! :)