Kale Quinoa Salad

Kale quinoa salad is crammed with goodness and is straightforward to make.

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.

It will convert anybody right into a kale lover!

This salad has the proper mixture of candy, tangy, nutty, and savory.
It may be ready forward of time and saved within the fridge for days.
Surprisingly sufficient, this salad could be FROZEN for future lunches.
It’s nice as a hearty lunch salad or a facet salad subsequent to baked chicken thighs.
It’s chock filled with goodness and taste.

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

Kale Quinoa Salad Necessities

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, you should utilize different varieties like lacinato kale, child kale, or Tuscan kale.

Quinoa: Cooking quinoa in broth (as a substitute of water) provides further taste. Quinoa could be changed with different grains like brown rice, farro, or barley.

Greens: Shredded carrots and sliced crimson onions provide coloration and crunch and can be found year-round. Seasonal veggies like chunks of roasted squash, corn, or beets could 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.

A Fast Do-it-yourself Dressing

This French dressing is very easy to make; simply put every little thing right into a jar and shake! You’ll be able to double up as a result of it’s good on salads of every kind.

Lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic add taste, whereas vinegar provides somewhat further tang. Honey balances the dressing for the proper chew.

Variations

Bulk up the salad by including chopped broccoli slaw, shredded Brussels sprouts, or spinach.
Add different veggies; nearly something goes. For those who’re not freezing this salad, strive cherry tomatoes, crimson pepper, or chopped cucumber.
Swap out pecans for pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pepitas, sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds.
Cooked rooster, tofu, and even chickpeas are nice additions for further protein.
Exchange the honey with sugar or maple syrup.

kale in a bowl to make Kale Quinoa Salad

The right way to Make Kale Quinoa Salad

Mix dressing substances in a mason jar and shake (recipe under).
Cook dinner quinoa and fluff with a fork, and funky.
Therapeutic massage chopped kale in oil and salt. Add the remaining substances and drizzle the dressing overtop.
Toss to mix and refrigerate earlier than serving.

When making a kale salad of any variety, massaging the leaves could seem odd, nevertheless it 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 arms. It’ll flip a darker inexperienced and the leaves will soften.

serving Kale Quinoa Salad in a bowl with spoons

Storing Kale Quinoa Salad

Hold kale quinoa salad in an hermetic 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 substances listed under. As soon as thawed, it tastes simply pretty much as good because the day it was made.

Extra Hearty Grain Salads

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This kale quinoa salad affords an ideal mix of contemporary flavors, making it a scrumptious alternative for a facet dish or lunch.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook dinner Time 20 minutes

Chill Time 1 hour

Whole Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Cook dinner ModeForestall your display from going darkish

Rinse the quinoa in a advantageous mesh strainer and drain nicely.
Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan with vegetable broth or water.
Convey 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 substances 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 arms till the leaves grow to be tender and darkish inexperienced.
Add the cooled quinoa, pecans, carrots, feta cheese, crimson onion, and dried cranberries to the bowl.
Pour the dressing over the substances and toss nicely to mix.
Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 1 hour earlier than serving.

This recipe will preserve within the fridge for 4 days and it may be frozen.
To substitute retailer purchased dressing, I might recommend a lightweight citrusy French dressing.

Vitamin data offered is an estimate and can fluctuate primarily based on cooking strategies and types of substances used.

Course Lunch, Salad, Aspect Dish

Delicacies American

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