Green Goddess Salad with Lemon

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

This mediterranean-inspired salads (anti-inflammatory) ready in about 15 minutes pairs kale, avocado, lemon into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups kale
• 1/2 medium avocado
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Massage 4 cups chopped kale with 1/4 tsp sea salt for 2 minutes until softened and dark green, then rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove bitterness.
2. Step 2: Dice 1/2 medium avocado into 1/4-inch cubes and combine with the massaged kale in a large bowl.
3. Step 3: Zest 1 lemon into the bowl, then squeeze its juice over the salad, followed by 2 tbsp olive oil; toss vigorously until all ingredients are evenly coated and the kale is glossy.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup sliced almonds over the top, then toss once more until the almonds are distributed and the salad has a slightly creamy texture with no dry spots.