Do I need to massage Kale for a salad? This tip has made its way across the internet, but I assure you, it is completely unnecessary. The process of cleaning large leaves with an ice bath and cleaning away stems will leave the kale sufficiently handled.  An acidic dressing will also tenderize the leaves. If you like your salad with less bite, simply dress the salad and let it sit for five to ten minutes before eating. The baby kale you find in the prewashed tubs at the store is also very tender and requires no extra treatment.