Description
This Kale and Couscous Salad with Creamy Cashew Dressing is a vibrant and nutrient-packed salad, combining the hearty texture of couscous with fresh kale, crunchy veggies, and a rich, creamy cashew dressing. It’s a perfect side dish or light main course for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cooked couscous
- 4 cups kale, washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- For the creamy cashew dressing:
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2–4 hours or overnight
- 1/4 cup water (or more for desired consistency)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- To prepare the cashew dressing, drain the soaked cashews and place them in a blender or food processor. Add water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup (if using), garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more water if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous, chopped kale, shredded carrots, red onion, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle the creamy cashew dressing over the salad and toss well to combine, making sure everything is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- For a variation, you can add roasted chickpeas, avocado slices, or nuts for extra texture and flavor.
- If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought couscous or quinoa instead of cooking from scratch.
- This salad is great for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg