Kale Quinoa Salad

Kale quinoa salad is delightfully scrumptious and nutritious!

Hail to the kale – and quinoa! These two superfoods style nice blended with different greens, nuts, and cheese after which tossed in a easy dressing!

Make it forward of time for lunches or busy weeknight meals (this salad freezes superbly too!).

Hearty & Wholesome Salad

Kale and quinoa salad is chock filled with protein, antioxidants, and fiber, and even youngsters love the mix of colourful and crunchy elements!
This versatile recipe permits you to change out the fruits and veggies for no matter is in season making it a year-round favourite!
Make this forward of time and luxuriate in for lunches. This salad freezes nicely too making it a straightforward make-ahead meal!
Preserve it as a vegetarian entrée salad or add chicken or fish!

kale , quinoa , carrots , broth , oil , feta , dressing , pecans , cranberries and onions in bowls to make Kale Quinoa Salad with labels

Elements for Kale Quinoa Salad

Kale – Select bunches of kale which can be deep inexperienced and take away any torn or wilted leaves, in addition to the stalks. Whereas I most frequently use curly kale, strive different varieties like child, dinosaur kale/Tuscan kale. Bulk up the salad by including chopped broccoli slaw, shredded brussels sprouts, or spinach.

Quinoa – Cooking quinoa in broth (as an alternative of water) provides further taste. A powerhouse of protein, quinoa might be switched out for different grains or legumes. Attempt farro and even brown rice.

Greens – Shredded carrots and sliced pink onions supply shade and crunch and can be found year-round. Seasonal veggies like chunks of roasted squash, corn, or beets might be added as nicely!

Different Flavorful Additions – Dried cranberries add sweetness and so will contemporary apples or grapes. Feta is a dry cheese that provides a salty taste whereas pecans add a nutty crunch.

Dressing – This sweet-tart French dressing has simply the correct amount of Dijon mustard and contemporary garlic. If utilizing a pre-made dressing, go for one thing barely candy and tangy equivalent to a lightweight fruity or citrus-infused dressing. You may as well strive poppyseed or honey mustard dressing.

kale in a bowl to make Kale Quinoa Salad

Variations

Add different veggies, virtually something goes. In the event you’re not freezing this salad strive cherry tomatoes, pink bell pepper, or chopped cucumber.
Swap out pecans for pumpkin seeds or pepitas, sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds.
Cooked hen and even chickpeas are nice additions for further protein.

Kale Quinoa Salad ingredients in a bowl before mixing and adding dressing

Learn how to Make Kale Quinoa Salad

Make dressing: Place the dressing in a mason jar and shake nicely to mix per the recipe beneath.
Cook dinner quinoa: Cook dinner quinoa, fluff with a fork, and funky.
Mix elements: Therapeutic massage chopped kale in oil and salt in a big bowl and add the remaining elements and drizzle the dressing overtop. Toss to mix and refrigerate earlier than serving.

When making a kale salad, massaging the leaves could appear odd, however it actually makes a giant distinction! This step makes the leaves extra tender and removes bitterness.

Merely add a drop or two of oil and rub the kale together with your fingers. It would flip a darker inexperienced and the leaves will soften.

serving Kale Quinoa Salad in a bowl with spoons

Storing Kale and Quinoa Salad

Preserve kale and quinoa salad in a coated container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Stir in contemporary nuts, cheese, or dressing, if desired.
Consider it or not, you CAN freeze this kale quinoa salad recipe whether it is made with the elements listed beneath. As soon as thawed, it tastes simply nearly as good because the day it was made!

Extra Hearty Grain Salads

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This kale and quinoa salad mix two wholesome superfoods – kale and quinoa!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook dinner Time 20 minutes

Chill Time 1 hour

Complete Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Rinse the quinoa in a fantastic mesh strainer and drain nicely.
Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan with vegetable broth or water.
Deliver to a boil, cut back warmth to medium-low, and simmer for quarter-hour or till the liquid has been absorbed. Cowl and let relaxation for five minutes. Cool fully.
As soon as the quinoa has cooled fully, place it in a big bowl.
In a jar, mix all dressing elements and shake nicely.
Place the kale within the backside of a medium bowl. Add olive oil and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt to the kale. Therapeutic massage the chopped kale together with your fingers till the leaves grow to be tender and darkish inexperienced.
Add the cooled quinoa, pecans, carrots, feta cheese, pink onion, and dried cranberries to the bowl.
Pour the dressing over the elements and toss nicely to mix.
Refrigerate the salad for no less than 1 hour earlier than serving.

This recipe will maintain within the fridge for a number of days and it may be frozen.
To substitute retailer purchased dressing, I might counsel a lightweight citrusy French dressing.

Vitamin data offered is an estimate and can differ based mostly on cooking strategies and types of elements used.

Course Lunch, Salad

Delicacies American

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