Easy Potato Kale Salad: A Fresh Twist on a Classic

Say hello to your new favorite side dish: a vibrant Potato Kale Salad! This recipe beautifully balances creamy, refreshing, and comforting flavors, making it a truly delightful experience. It’s an elevated take on classic potato salad, offering a lighter, healthier twist. Best of all, it’s incredibly simple to prepare, perfect for busy parents and beginners alike.

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Why You’ll Love This Potato Kale Salad

This Potato Kale Salad offers a fantastic new take on a beloved classic. You will quickly discover its many advantages:

It’s a fresh, vibrant twist on traditional potato salad recipes, bringing new life to your plate.
The dressing uses Greek yogurt, creating a lighter and creamier texture than typical versions. As noted by Healthline, Greek yogurt offers a variety of health benefits including being a good source of protein and essential nutrients.
Preparing this salad is incredibly simple, requiring minimal prep time for maximum flavor.
It’s perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to potlucks, and works great for meal prep.
The flavors meld together beautifully over time, making it even better the next day.

Ingredients

To create this delightful Potato Kale Salad, you will need a few simple ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the salad’s delicious texture and flavor profile.

1 lb tiny new potatoes, halved or quartered: These smaller, waxy potatoes hold their shape well after cooking, providing a pleasant texture.
½ cup plain Greek-style yogurt: This forms the creamy, tangy base of our lighter dressing.
¼ cup light mayonnaise: Adds richness and a familiar creaminess to the dressing.
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard: Offers a subtle tang and depth that complements the potatoes.
¼ teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors in the salad.
¼ teaspoon black pepper: Provides a hint of warmth and spice.
⅓ cup finely chopped herbs (such as oregano, parsley, etc.): Fresh herbs add brightness and aromatic complexity. Parsley and dill are classic choices.
¼ cup finely chopped red onion: Delivers a crisp texture and a mild, zesty bite.
2 cups fresh baby kale: Stirred in at the end, kale adds a boost of nutrition and a pleasant, slightly bitter counterpoint. WebMD highlights that kale is packed with vitamins and nutrients, contributing to eye health, heart health, and overall well-being.

Notes & Substitutions

You have flexibility with several ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

For potatoes, consider using Yukon Golds or red potatoes as they also maintain their structure well when boiled. Avoid starchy Russets.
If you prefer a richer dressing, you can use all mayonnaise instead of the Greek yogurt and mayonnaise blend.
Experiment with other fresh herb combinations like chives, tarragon, or even a touch of fresh mint.
If red onion is too strong, use finely chopped green onions or shallots for a milder flavor.

Instructions

Creating this delicious Potato Kale Salad is straightforward with these easy-to-follow steps. Precision in cooking the potatoes and allowing sufficient chilling time ensures the best results.

Prep potatoes for boiling: Place the tiny new potatoes in a large saucepan. Add enough cold water to fully cover them.
Boil potatoes until fork-tender: Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat, cover the saucepan, and let the potatoes simmer. Cook until they are easily pierced with a fork, which usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Drain and cool potatoes thoroughly: Carefully drain the cooked potatoes in a colander. Rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and help them cool down quickly. Let them cool completely. Halve or quarter any larger potatoes if you haven’t already done so.
Whisk together dressing ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek-style yogurt, light mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Stir in your finely chopped fresh herbs.
Combine cooled potatoes, onion, and dressing: Add the completely cooled potatoes and the finely chopped red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently stir the ingredients until all the potatoes are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
Chill salad to meld flavors: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Transfer the salad to the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour. For the best flavor development, consider chilling it for up to 24 hours. This resting period allows the dressing flavors to deeply penetrate the potatoes.
Fold in fresh baby kale just before serving: Right before you are ready to serve your amazing Potato Kale Salad, remove it from the refrigerator. Add the fresh baby kale to the bowl. Gently fold the kale into the salad until it is evenly distributed. Serve chilled for the best experience.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect Potato Kale Salad is simple with a few helpful pointers. These tips address common concerns and ensure delicious results every time.

Cook potatoes just until fork-tender, avoiding overcooking which makes them mushy. Cooling them completely prevents a watery dressing.
Chilling time is crucial for the flavors to fully meld. Don’t rush this step for the best taste.
For more tender kale, you can gently massage it with a tiny amount of olive oil before adding it.
If your dressing seems too thick, thin it slightly with a tablespoon of milk or water.
Always taste and adjust salt and pepper after chilling, as flavors can mellow.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This Potato Kale Salad is wonderfully versatile, fitting into many meal plans. Knowing how to serve and store it properly ensures maximum enjoyment.

Serve this salad chilled for the most refreshing experience. It makes an excellent side dish for grilled chicken, baked fish, or pulled pork. You can also pair it with veggie burgers for a lighter meal.

Store any leftover Potato Kale Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. Remember to stir gently before serving leftovers.

Consider these savory mix-in ideas to enhance your salad:

Add crispy crumbled bacon or cooked sausage bits for extra protein and flavor.
Stir in some crumbled feta cheese or shredded cheddar for a tangy, cheesy twist.
Introduce chopped hard-boiled eggs for more protein and a classic potato salad feel.
For a complete meal, add grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, or chickpeas.

Nutrition

Enjoying this Potato Kale Salad offers a nutritious boost to your diet. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate nutritional values per serving.

Name	Value
Calories	77 kcal
Carbohydrates	12 g
Protein	3 g
Fat	2 g
Sodium	165 mg
Calcium	43 mg

FAQ

Can I use different types of potatoes?

Yes, Yukon Gold or red potatoes work well, maintaining their shape after cooking. Avoid starchy Russets.

How long does the salad last in the fridge?

This potato kale salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Can I use all mayonnaise in the dressing?

Absolutely! For a richer dressing, you can use all mayonnaise instead of the Greek yogurt and mayonnaise blend.

Conclusion

This unique Potato Kale Salad offers a truly delicious and refreshing twist on a classic. Its creamy, tangy dressing and the added nutrition of fresh kale make it a standout dish for any occasion. We hope you find this recipe easy to follow and incredibly rewarding to eat. Give this Potato Kale Salad a try tonight and discover your new go-to side. We would love to hear your thoughts and see your creations, so please leave a comment and rating below!