09.18.17

Kale and Mint Salad with ‘Peanut’ Vinaigrette

Kale and Mint Salad with 'Peanut' VinaigretteOkay, folks. Who here is a huge fan of the Hillstone Restaurants Kale Salad with Peanut Dressing? Um, I am seriously obsessed. It’s the best salad of all time. Naturally, I had to recreate my own Kale and Mint Salad with ‘Peanut’ Vinaigrette in my own kitchen and make it even healthier than the original version. 

I use almond butter instead of peanut butter and coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and, of course, no added sugar. I also just went to Whole Foods and bought one of their clean, “naked” rotisserie chicken to make this salad easy as ever to throw together. 

Kale and Mint Salad with 'Peanut' Vinaigrette

This ‘peanut’ (or almond) vinaigrette is a game-changer. Once you make this Kale and Mint Salad with ‘Peanut’ Vinaigrette, you’ll understand that it’s pretty easy to sip on as a cocktail it’s so dang good! 

 

Kale and Mint Salad with 'Peanut' Vinaigrette

Check out my Satisfying Salads Round-Up for more salad inspiration. 

Want to save even more time on this recipe? Skip this dressing and use my SideDish Creamy Sesame Dressing instead!

Kale and Mint Salad with 'Peanut' Vinaigrette

Kale and Mint Salad with 'Peanut' Vinaigrette
Serves: 4
Print
5 from 2 votes
Total Time20 mins

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 1 bunch green kale
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped cashews
  • 1 rotisserie chicken skin removed and meat pulled apart into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

For the Almond-Vinaigrette:

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp. freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp. *creamy* almond or cashew butter
  • 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 tsp. chili oil optional, or sub 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp. coconut aminos
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a food processor or blender, combine all of the Almond-Vinaigrette ingredients and blend to combine. Set aside.
  • Remove kale leaves from the stem, then, finely slice the kale into thin strips.
  • Place sliced kale in a bowl with the rotisserie chicken meat, mint, cashews, and toasted sesame seeds. Pour 'peanut' vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Depending on the type of nut butter you use, your dressing may turn out too thick. Add 1 tbsp. of warm water at a time until it reaches the consistency you want. I like to use Crazy Richards Almond Butter (I buy via Amazon) as it is more drizzly.

21 Comments

  • Reply
    C
    January 4, 2023 at 2:08 am

    5 stars
    This is truly the best salad. I make it all the time, and it honestly might be my favorite dinner right now. Thanks for all the awesome recipes! 10/10

  • Reply
    Rachel
    April 14, 2022 at 8:19 pm

    Is this salad still yummy without the chicken? Thinking of using this as a side and the main dish already has meat in it.

    • Reply
      Alex
      April 18, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      Definitely!

  • Reply
    Carol Brand
    September 13, 2021 at 12:35 am

    This was first served to me by a friend… casual mid-week, last minute invite. She has your cookbook. I have since made this many times over, not only for my own dinner (eating it now), but I served it at dinner parties and BBQs all summer long. Everytime I make it, someone asks for the recipe.

    Thank you!

  • Reply
    Lisa
    July 29, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    Should the cashews be raw or the roasted ones?

    • Reply
      Alex
      July 30, 2021 at 7:59 pm

      Either work, I do prefer roasted!

  • Reply
    Cammy
    March 16, 2021 at 5:25 pm

    Can you substitute liquid aminos for the coconut aminos? It’s just what I have on hand 🙂

    • Reply
      Alex
      March 17, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      I am not a huge fan of subbing in liquid aminos for coconut aminos– as I find they have a very different flavor.

  • Reply
    Katherine
    January 14, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is SO good. My favorite activity is eating lunch out and this salad had me eating at home 2 days in a row!

  • Reply
    Kelly U
    October 10, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    SO GOOD. Love this dressing.

    • Reply
      Alex
      October 10, 2017 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you, Kelly!!! It’s my current obsession.

  • Reply
    Angelica
    September 21, 2017 at 6:54 am

    Yum!! I cannot wait to make this!!! ?

    • Reply
      Alex
      September 21, 2017 at 8:59 pm

      Enjoy!

  • Reply
    Katie M
    September 20, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    I order this salad at Charleston’s every time! I always think I’m going to try something different, nope, it’s that good!!! Looking forward to making this whole 30 version! Thanks!

    • Reply
      Alex
      September 20, 2017 at 7:57 pm

      It’s just the best!!!!

  • Reply
    Lauren
    September 19, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    Do you think this would work well as a pasta sauce?

    • Reply
      Alex
      September 20, 2017 at 7:57 pm

      If you did it over soba noodles, YES! for sure!

  • Reply
    Katie | FashionFrugality.com
    September 18, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    This dressing sounds AMAZING! Cannot wait to make this this week! I had a peanut dressing years ago at a restaurant and adored it but have never been able to find anything like it. This sounds spot on and can only be that much more delicious with the almond butter. Thank you!

    • Reply
      Alex
      September 19, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      It’s SO yummy you’re going to just love it!!! 🙂

  • Reply
    Amber
    September 18, 2017 at 6:40 pm

    Since the original dressing is a peanut vinaigrette, what about subbing the almond butter for sunflower butter? I don’t love almond butter.

    • Reply
      Alex
      September 18, 2017 at 9:03 pm

      Yes, Sunflower butter will work, also! If you aren’t an almond butter fan, I might suggest trying Crazy Richards almond butter for cooking if you haven’t yet. It’s my favorite. But either way, sunflower butter is a great sub.

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