The #1 Anti-Inflammatory Salad You Should Be Making

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This easy kale salad draws flavor inspiration from the classic Italian pasta dish cacio e pepe, which translates to “cheese and pepper.” The signature flavors of sharp Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper transform kale into a delicious, anti-inflammatory side salad.

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4
  • You only need five ingredients for this simple salad.
  • Kale provides lutein, folate and vitamin K to fight inflammation.
  • Massaging the kale softens it and makes it tastier.

If you love the peppery, cheesy flavors of cacio e pepe, then you’ll enjoy this Cacio e Pepe Kale Salad. Cacio e pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish that translates to “cheese and pepper.” We give the dish a spin by using those same flavors with kale, a nutrient-rich vegetable that can help fend off chronic inflammation. The peppery dressing is massaged into the kale to help break it down, while Pecorino Romano is the perfect finishing touch. Read on for tips for making this easy salad at home. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Massaging the kale leaves softens their texture, making them more tender, and helps distribute and infuse the flavor of the dressing into the leaves. Using your clean hands is the best way to massage the kale.
  • Consider freshly grating the Pecorino Romano cheese through the fine holes of a box grater rather than buying pre-grated. While pre-grated cheese is convenient, it is often less flavorful than freshly grated cheese straight from the block. 
  • It is worth freshly grinding your black pepper for this salad. The flavor is fresh, and you can control the size of the grind, making it finer or coarser depending on your preference.

Nutrition Notes

  • Kale is the backbone of this salad, providing a nutritious base for the Pecorino Romano and black pepper. Not only are dark leafy greens like kale delicious, they are also one of the best foods to beat inflammation, thanks to their trio of lutein, folate and vitamin K.
Anti-Inflammatory Cacio e Pepe Kale Salad image

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 pound lacinato kale, stemmed and thinly sliced (about 8 cups packed)

  • ¾ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Directions

  1. Whisk 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add sliced kale; working with clean hands, firmly massage and crush the kale until the volume is reduced by about half and the kale has darkened slightly in color, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with ¾ cup Pecorino Romano; toss to coat. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.

    Anti-Inflammatory Cacio e Pepe Kale Salad image

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is lacinato kale and do I have to use it?

    Lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, is a type of kale with long dark green leaves and a textured surface. The sturdy leaves lend themselves well to cooking or salads, where the leaves are broken down by massaging. But any type of kale or even a mix will work well here.

  • What can I serve with this salad?

    This salad pairs well with roasted or sautéed chicken, pork, steak or a meaty fish like tuna or swordfish. To make it a vegetarian main dish, combine it with cooked farro, quinoa or whole-grain orzo.

  • Is it OK to eat cheese or will it cause inflammation?

    You may have heard that eating cheese will lead to inflammation, but research supports the opposite. Aged cheese, like the Pecorino Romano in this recipe, is one of the best anti-inflammatory dairy foods. Probiotics in the cheese also help support gut health. However, if you have a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, eating cheese may cause inflammation, so you could use your favorite plant-based cheese alternative.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, January 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

165 Calories
14g Fat
4g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size generous 1 cup
Calories 165
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 6g 12%
Total Fat 14g 19%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Vitamin A 175µg
Vitamin C 38mg 43%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 13%
Folate 46µg
Vitamin K 233µg
Sodium 228mg 10%
Calcium 210mg 16%
Iron 1mg 4%
Magnesium 22mg 5%
Potassium 178mg 4%
Zinc 1mg 5%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Alex Loh
Square Headshot of Alex Loh
Alex Loh is EatingWell's food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.
and
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.