When you want to eat something satisfying and delicious, look no further than Kale and Quinoa Salad. With buttery avocado, creamy feta cheese and crunchy almonds, every bite is a little different. So easy to make and assemble, you’ll only need to cook the quinoa until light and fluffy then add it while it’s warm to thin kale ribbons that you’ve given a salt massage. Top with remaining ingredients and you’re ready to eat.
William Blake dreamed of angels and devils if you believe his heated artwork…I had a dream about quinoa. 🙂
That was a text that my dad sent the other day. He continued…
I’ve been dissatisfied with rice and polenta and potatoes, etc. and have been reading about quinoa and then I dreamed about it. And that stuff really makes you feel good. (If you don’t rinse it, it’s bitter.) So between quinoa and kale I’ve been eating pretty healthy and feeling pretty good!
And then I started to dream of a Kale Quinoa Salad.
Quinoa is not a grain but a seed, a species of goosefoot (so appetizing 🙂 ). More comedy? It’s also closely related to tumbleweeds. But what makes it most unique is that, on it’s own, it’s a complete protein – a rarity among plants. It’s also delicious: nutty, grassy, buttery, and naturally gluten free. It’s endlessly amenable to other ingredients making it a perfect base ingredient or addition to salads, warm or cold.
Then there’s the chopped kale; it’s raw, with a salt massage of course. Since I discovered that trick with this warm kale salad, I use raw kale often, tossing it into salads and pasta dishes. I used Lacinato kale (also called Tuscan kale), but curly kale would also work well.
The remaining ingredients in this kale salad are interchangeable. You might try goat cheese instead of feta or skip the cheese to make it vegan, add a tomato, swap in pistachios for the almonds – infinite possibilities! Instead of a vinaigrette, it’s dressed simply with fresh lemon juice and a generous drizzle of good olive oil.
Though I served this with warm cooked quinoa initially, we enjoyed the leftovers straight from the fridge for lunch the next day, great for meal prep. It’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but also makes a great side dish. One of those versatile salad recipes that you’ll find yourself turning to often.
More Main Course Salads You Should Try
How to Make Kale and Quinoa Salad
Step 1: Carefully rinse dry quinoa then simmer covered until tender and curlicues appear.
Step 2: Slice kale into thin ribbons and massage with salt until tender and dark green.
Step 3: Toss warm quinoa with kale, lemon juice and olive oil. Then top with almonds, feta, avocado and red pepper flakes and serve!
Kale and Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quinoa thoroughly rinsed
- 1 bunch Italian kale sliced crosswise into thin ribbons
- large pinch fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon juiced
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 avocado peel and seed removed, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 ounces feta crumbled
- 2 ounces slivered almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
- Heat rinsed quinoa and 3 cups water in a saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, place kale ribbons into a large bowl. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of fine sea salt. Massage salt into kale by squeezing it in fistfuls and then rubbing it between your fingers, until it turns a darker shade of green and has a softer texture – just a minute or two.
- Fluff quinoa with a fork and add to kale in serving bowl; gently stir to combine. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the top; gently toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Top salad with remaining ingredients and serve. (see recipe note)
I’m always in for healthy and delicious recipes like this one. I love that every bite is different. So fun! 🙂 ~Valentina
Kale and quinoa is the perfect match for a delicious salad, perfect crunch addition too!
Thank you, Kevin!
There’s something about quinoa and farro….I’m smitten with salads made with either!! And this combination of ingredients sounds insanely delicious!!
I love to hear that, Liz. Thank you!
I figured you had a fun recipe up your sleeve when you posted about Tuscan kale. And here it is! That text from your Dad is amazing. I love that he pays attention to what he eats! And you can be sure I would be paying attention to this salad if it showed up on our dinner table!
I love that my dad takes care of himself – good for him and peace of mind for me. 🙂 This salad is a keeper for sure, David. I hope you’ll give it a try!
I am kale and quinoa obsessed – so this is definitely my kind of salad! Healthy but oh so satisfying!
Love to hear that, Alexandra! Thank you.
Ok, Marissa! Now I’m going to start dreaming about quinoa and kale! This salad looks so refreshing and delicious!
haha! Quinoa and kale dreamin’….Thanks, Kelly!
Such a sweet, random text from your dad! And I dream about food too, lol 😉 This salad looks super hearty and straight up delicious, Marissa! Great for lunch or as a side with dinner…no going wrong either way if you ask me!
He’s a sweetie for sure! Thank you, Dawn! xo
I love quinoa salads Marissa! They’re so hearty. Love the added feta and avocado!
Thanks, Mary Ann! Yes! Hearty and SO tasty.
Can you believe it has taken me until this year to like kale?! So happy I do! And quinoa is always in my pantry…which means…this is happening!
Fantastic! Thank you, Annie!
I had no idea that quinoa is closely related to tumbleweeds…interesting! Too bad I won’t find a tumbleweed of this quinoa salad rolling across my backyard. Hah! This sounds delicious, though…and the addition of the feta cheese? Yes! 🙂
You crack me up, David! Thank you.
Quinoa is related to tumbleweeds? Did I read that right? So interesting! And this salad sounds awesome–I love both kale and quinoa. Happy Sunday, Marissa!
Thanks, Kelsie! Crazy, right? Makes me laugh every time I make quinoa.
Quinoa, feta, and avocado is one of my favorite salad combos. So simple yet hearty and satisfying. Like the addition of almonds – perfect cruncn!
Thanks, Ben!
This salad was meant for me! I LOVE quinoa with my greens and the crunchy almonds and creamy avocado make for the most perfect salad combination. Can’t wait to try this one! Pinned!!
That makes me happy, Katherine! So excited to hear what you think!
This was delicious. Even my quinoa-and-kale hating husband liked it. Reminded me of tabbouleh with the lemony flavor. Thanks!
I love to hear that, Heather! Thank you!
I’m still on the lookout for kale here, but can’t find it! I will eventually and by then won’t be able to find the recipe I want…jaja. This salad should be good with spinach or beet leaves too. Looks gorgeous Marissa! And I want to try pink peppercorns, since I heard they’re very different.
Yes, especially with beet leaves. It would be great with chard too if you have that available. Let me now how you like the pink peppercorns – they have a fun little *pop*!
Hehe it’s cute how both you and your dad dreamed of kale and quinoa! 😀 I bet he’s feeling much healthier now too!
He’s doing great! Thanks Lorraine.
Thanks Marissa! This one is right up my alley as I have made the switch from rice to quinoa. I always cook it in chicken broth instead of water – tastes much better. Now I have to go find pink peppercorns…
ohh I think cooking the quinoa in broth is a great idea! (chicken or vegetable) Let me know how you like the pink peppercorns. xo