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This was SO SO good! I thought the dressing was perfectly Caesar-esque and the sweet potato cooking method was the best I’ve ever tried. They actually got crispy!
Lauren
Salad and fries. The restaurant power-combo.
It is impossible for me to order a salad at a restaurant without a side of fries. Um, a little flavor-loaded fresh veg action with a fistful of hot and crispy fried potatoes to carb it up and wash it down? AND YES I WANT A SIDE OF RANCH DRESSING, DUH.
What was already a beloved food combo in my heart has just been elevated to a new status. This homemade Avocado Kale Caesar Salad – you guys, what can I even say right now. I literally do feel like it has changed my life. Just hear me say this: I love to eat kale right now. I LOVE TO EAT KALE! Because fun fact – kale is delicious when soaked in a creamy homemade caesar dressing and tossed around with chunks of avocado and handfuls of crunchy nuts. If you’re not opposed, Parmesan is a nice addition, and the sweet potato crispers filling out the other half of your plate make it a done deal.
How To Make This Kale Caesar Salad
Avocado Caesar Dressing Details
Let’s start with the (EASY) Caesar dressing.
My rules for Caesar dressing:
- Let’s use avocado instead of a whole ton of mayo.
- Okay but let’s still use a little mayo, because the creaminess, you guys. Use vegan mayo if you want – it’s tasty.
- Exactly zero anchovies. Anchovies are not in my pantry, like, ever, so therefore they are a not in my Caesar dressing. I know it’s the true way of Caesar dressings, but look at who you’re talking to. Recipe rule-following was never my game.
- Dijon, salt, garlic, lemon, mwah. It’s honestly magic.
Honestly, this dressing is so, so good, I put it on just about everything (like green beans! yes and yes).
How To Make This Kale Caesar Salad
Okay, so you’ve got your dressing done and ready to go. Onward!
Next up: sweet potato fries should get started first – they take about 30 minutes whereas the salad takes about 2, so start on those right away if you want fries with that pile-o-greens.
And then just chop your kale, cube your avocado, and shave your parm.
Now you have a plate full of hot fries + a lemony, avocado-creamy, crunchy kale caesar salad and it’s all just SO GOOD (dip your fries in the dressing, I dare you) and also – I might quit the blog now because this is the food I want to eat forever.
I mean, I never said I was fancy.
Avocado Kale Caesar Salad + Sweet Potato Fries
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings as an entree salad, 6 as a side 1x
Description
Avocado Kale Caesar Salad! Kale, avocado, and crunchy seeds drenched in a quick creamy avocado caesar dressing that can easily be made vegan, too. Toss some crispy sweet potato fries in are you are SET FOR LIFE.
Ingredients
Avocado Caesar Dressing:
- 1 avocado, divided
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional – see notes)
- 2 small cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Kale Caesar Salad:
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed, chopped (5–6 cups)
- Parmesan and/or pepitas for topping
Instructions
- Cut the avocado in half. Reserve one half for the salad. Blend the other half with the water, mayo, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon, and salt. Taste and adjust!
- Toss the chopped kale with the dressing. Throw in a handful of pepitas and Parmesan and toss it all around. Finish the salad with the remaining half of the avocado, cut into cubes. YUM!
Notes
Sweet Potato Fries (do this first, because the salad doesn’t take long): Preheat oven to 450 degrees with the pan in the oven so it gets hot. Peel 4 sweet potatoes and cut into fry-shapes. The thinner they are, the more crispy they’ll get. Toss with a teaspoon or two of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Remove hot pan from oven, arrange fries evenly, and bake for 20 minutes. Turn and bake for another 10 minutes or so until crispy.
How to make this vegan: Leave out the Parm and sub vegan mayo.
Thoughts on mayo: I found mayonnaise to be the right ingredient to add creaminess and flavor to the dressing. If you really don’t want to use mayo, you could sub Greek yogurt (more tangy flavor), or just leave it out altogether with the consequence of a more watery but still delicious dressing.
Thoughts on anchovies: Traditionally, Caesar salad is made with anchovies – paste, oil, or whole. I don’t normally keep anchovies on hand and I thought the dressing tasted great without them, so that’s why you don’t see them included them in this recipe.
Extra Dressing? Use it on these Avocado Caesar Green Beans! YUM!
Nutrition info is for salad only.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: avocado kale caesar salad, sweet potato fries, kale caesar salad
One More Thing!
This recipe is part of our collection of yummy kale recipes. Check it out!
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your recipes. After years of eating very strictly low carb, and having lost a lot of weight, I am now starting to lean more into vegetables, which feels healthier as I head towards 70. So many of the Protein Bros’ recipes look very tasty and, yeah, they hit the protein, but there are ZERO veggies. And while I wind up following a lot of vegan and vegetarian cooks, the truth is, I am an omnivore, and I don’t plan on changing that. So I am so appreciative of recipes that are veg-forward but sometimes include animal products. Call me a big fan.
This was easy and fun to make! The fries reheated super well and stayed crispy for lunch the next day. We used the extra dressing as aioli for the fries. Yum!
Just made the salad and dressing. It is so delicious!!
I loved this salad so good! Didn’t have avocado so made an adjustment to the dressing using Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, and garlic with a touch of apple cider vinegar. Soo good, will make again!
Very nice oil-free dressing. I skipped the salt and added Thai fish sauce, which is sugar, salt, and anchovies. I’ll try the leftover dressing with some romaine.
Lindsay this is a fantastic recipe! I made this exactly how it was posted. The flavors came together perfectly. Thank you for an awesome 10++++++++recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it!
This Avocado Kale Caesar Salad looks absolutely delicious! I love the idea of pairing it with sweet potato fries for a perfect balance of flavors. Can’t wait to try this for lunch this week! Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Such a good recipe! The crispy sweet potato fries trick by putting the pan in the oven while preheating – genius! I paired it with your recipe for “Crispy Buffalo Tofu” and I think this dinner has just become one of my fun faves. Thank you!
So glad it was enjoyed!
This Avocado Kale Caesar Salad looks absolutely delicious! I’m excited to try the addition of sweet potato fries for some extra crunch and flavor. Thanks for sharing such a vibrant and healthy recipe!
Loved this salad! It was quick to prepare and it paired well with grilled chicken. Will definitely make again.
I made this salad today but subbed plain Greek yogurt for the mayo. It was really good!
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I can see this dressing going on all the things in the future!
Currently eating this for lunch with the AF tofu and it is amazing!!
Has anyone tried tahini in place of mayo?
I’ve made tahini-based caesar dressings before and they’re delicious! So I’d say definitely worth a try!
This was just the type of meal I was craving! I didn’t have pepitas to Parmesan so I used toasted pecans and a little crumbled extra strong cheddar. I also added some thinly sliced red onion. I loved that I was able to use what I had and even though it was not quite a Caesar salad it was very tasty! Definitely a “pinch of yum” thanks!
Any suggestions for avocado substitute? Unfortunately it gives me a tummy ache.
This really was fantastic! There’s a restaurant in California called el torito and I love their cilantro Cesar… I used this and added cilantro and cotija and it was spot on and so easy. Added some tortilla chips and air fryer chicken to top in addition to the parm and pepitas. Another hit! Thank you!
Making the salad today sounds yummy🌻
This looks great but alas, I’m not a kale lover. Would spinach hold up under this dressing, or do you have another suggestion?
Thanks,
Trudy
Made this kale salad last night, it was delicious!!! Even my picky kids liked it:) I used mayo, even though I’m not normally a fan. It was so creamy and flavorful! Will definitely be making again! Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
YUM! This salad was phenomenal & the sweet potato fries truly took it to the next level. Thank you! Xoxo.
This is amazing!! It’s one of those things you eat and you know your body is thanking you for eating it. 😉
*I didn’t have parmesan so I used kerrygold Dubliner cheese instead-just the right amount of bite
Made this from Meal Planning 2023 and LOVED it! As always, thanks for making easy foods delicious!
Any chance you have directions for sweet potato fries in the air fryer??? Thanks!
Hi, Krista! Sorry, we don’t unfortunately. Lindsay doesn’t cook much with an air-fryer.
Great meal! I added red onion to the salad and toasted almonds as that’s what I had on hand. I enjoyed the pairing with sweet potato fries as they made a warm satisfying dinner for a cold winter night! Thanks.
OMG it was so good.
Yum! Made this salad dressing tonight to use on a grain bowl. Very tasty. Thanks for the unique creation.