This is a recipe for a gluten-free and vegan Mexican Kale Salad with Black Beans and a Maple Lime Vinaigrette. It is one of my favorite salads as it is so easy-to-prepare, flavorful and satisfying. It uses a technique that my daughter calls “life changing”. Massaging the kale transforms the greens from bitter and grassy to tender and slightly sweet.
On my YouTube Channel, I demonstrate the preparation of this salad and discuss its nutritional content. It is protein, calcium and iron rich and relatively low in calories.
You can watch the video here:

Mexican Kale Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
Other ingredients
- 8 cups chopped kale
- 1/4 cup chopped red onions
- 1 medium bell pepper diced
- 1 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado peeled, seeded and diced
- 3/4 cups fresh or frozen corn ( thawed)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
For the dressing
- In a glass jar or medium bowl, shake or stir together the dressing ingredients.
For the rest of the salad
- Place the kale in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the kale. Massage with your hands for 1-2 minutes until the kale begins to soften. Add the remaining salad ingredients and toss to combine.
This is the best yet, I think, Diana! Though they’re all great, I am looking forward to living on the kale salad!
Thank you so much Madeline! I hope you enjoy the salad.
Made this tonight but only had lettuce, no kale…still super and the dressing is delicious! My husband and I ate the whole bowl. Love watching the video…I am a visual learner so makes it super easy to do.
Keep the videos and recipes coming!!
SRL
I added mango to the salad. Delicious! Made it for a big family get together and it was a hit- Thanks Diana!
Great idea Debbie. Inspired to try that soon!