You know when you just gotta get your crunch on? When your body is all like, “heeeeeey…what happened to those resolutions?” Beach Dreaming Grilled Pineapple Salad is going to take away those ‘not quite winter, not quite spring’ blues and bring healthy eats with a sweet citrus twist to the plate.
Yes, please.
I’ve got it hard for some beach dreaming. Anyone else feeling that vibe? Of course there are those genius folks that live in beautiful beach weather year round (ya lucky jerks) but when you don’t it seems like summer’s never going to get here. The ‘end of February itch’. Maybe it’s all your lovely February vacation photos that are killing my psyche.
Well if we can’t go to the beach, might as well bring beach flavors to us, right? In case you missed it, I dropped some big news back on Valentine’s Day. Dear lord, thank god we’re out of the first trimester because vegetables are finally back on the menu. And the sweet crunch of the grilled pineapple kale salad? I just can’t get enough of it I tell you.
Grilled Pineapple Kale Salad
Someone once commented on one of my kale salads that her husband calls kale “the lettuce that hurts your teeth.” LOL in real life at that. I get where he’s coming from, but this grilled pineapple kale salad gets a fine chop so these teeny piece of kale are just bite sized goodness. OR you can always substitute with baby spinach or whichever lettuce suits your fancy…or doesn’t hurt your teeth. Me? I’ll be over here living that kale life forever.
Did you know that red cabbage comes shaved? Like in a bag, super duper easy, just throw it in the bowl. Be that person, buy that bag. Use the leftover for other salads, or whip up some of my favorite coleslaw from these Crock Pot Pulled Pork Sliders.
You know what else is going to change your life? GINGER PASTE. When you need just a little or maybe a lot of ginger but you have zero time for peeling and finely mincing up fresh ginger, this stuff is gold…ginger paste should wear a cape.
The real sweet spot here is the combo of the grilled pineapple and that orange ginger dressing. Smokey sweet, a little zip and a fresh pop of citrus. Like a burst of tropical sunshine in a bite.
Eating in your flip flops not required, but totally recommended.
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Beach Dreaming Grilled Pineapple Kale Salad
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Prep Time: 15 minutes -
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Yield: 2 to 4 servings -
Category: Salads
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Crunchy kale and crisp red cabbage with sweet, grilled pineapple tossed in a zesty orange ginger dressing.
Ingredients
Grilled Pineapple Kale Salad
- 1 head curly kale (about 4 cups), chopped fine
- 2 cup shaved red cabbage
- 1 1/2 cups grilled pineapple (about 1/2 pineapple, cored)
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
Orange Ginger Dressing
- 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar, or preferred sugar substitute
Instructions
Grilled Pineapple Kale Salad
- Grilling the pineapple¹: using either an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan, sear the pineapple on each side just long enough for grill marks to appear and slightly caramelize the pineapple.
- In a large bowl, combine the kale and red cabbage. Toss with the dressing until fully coated.
- Add in the black sesame seeds and grilled pineapple. Lightly mix, but not so much all the pineapple falls to the bottom.
- Sprinkle with slivered almonds over the top and serve.
Orange Ginger Dressing
- In bowl or small container, combine all ingredients.
- Whisk together vigorously OR use a hand blender and pulse 10 to 15 times until emulsified.²
Notes
¹I purchased the ready to go rings of fresh pineapple that are already sliced, peeled and cored in the produce department. Because it wasn’t quite grilling weather, I heated up my cast iron grill pan on the stove and seared the pineapple on each side.
²Emulsified is just a fancy way to say that the oil is incorporated with the rest of the ingredients so it doesn’t separate.
What a lovely salad, and so perfectly presented! This is what I ‘d call “good mood food” and I just love the sound of that dressing!
★★★★★
Oh I love pineapple in my salad and this looks awesome. Kale is such a super food I try to add it in our diet as much as we can. My kids still don’t warm up to it.
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This looks and sounds amazing! Your shots are gorgeous! I happen to be one of those jerks who lives in warm weather year round…hello from Phoenix, AZ! It’s going to be 80 today! But you can come visit anytime and enjoy our beach weather!! Printing this recipe because it looks divine!! Can’t wait to make this and eat it by the pool with a glass of light white wine!! YUM!!
★★★★★
Looks amazing and is a welcome reminder of my resolutions lol 🙂 Where can I find ginger paste, or is there a way to make it at home? Thanks
★★★★★
Thank you! I always find ginger paste in the produce section right where the herbs are. There are usually a few different varieties of herbs – parsley, cilantro, basil, etc. – that are available in paste form. It’s usually in a tube, but the brands vary depending on the store. If you can’t find the paste, you can definitely use fresh ginger, but I’d start with a little less and add to taste since it’s a touch more potent than the paste. Hope that helps!
Since Kale has a tendency to be on the bitter side I think adding a fruit to it mellows it out. It makes for a terrific salad and talk about nutritious!! This recipe is a keeper.
★★★★★
What a lovely combination! I can see the bright sweet fruit with the green and earthy kale… A terrific winter salad!
★★★★★
Everything about this salad sounds amazing but I’m seriously crushin’ on that grilled pineapple! I never would have thought to put it on a salad but now I can’t stop thinking about doing just that. I’m definitely going to have to give this a try this week! This seems like just the sort of pick-me-up and wash-away-the-cubicle-blues I need for my lunch.
mmmm! This sounds so good. I eat salads all of the time, I’m adding this one to my list.
I just love a crunchy salad, and this one has an especially amazing flavor combination! I’m so with you, too, on buying the pre-shredded red cabbage. I mean, seriously – it saves So. Much. Time. And you’re right that there are lots of other great ways to use up the rest! Off to check out your cole slaw next!
★★★★★
What a beautiful looking and sounding salad! That grilled pineapple is such a great touch with the kale that can be a little bitter. Love that dressing recipe too…I might try it out as a marinade for chicken! Oh, and congrats on getting out of the first trimester!
★★★★★
I’ve never thought of mixing pineapple and kale! I love kale, but it doesn’t have that much flavor on its own…the pineapple would add a great punch of tart and flavor
★★★★★
Yes, while I love a good comfort food recipe, sometimes i’m just craving the crunch of fresh vegetables in a salad. This kale salad looks dreamy and I love the beachy flare!
What a beautiful salad! I love food that is both pleasing to the eye and healthy! You seem to have nailed it. 😀