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    Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Kale and Quinoa Salad

    Published: Feb 26, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 35 Comments

    VegetarianMediterraneanQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Kale and Quinoa Salad pinterest pin

    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.

    Jump to:
    • What is Quinoa?
    • More Main Course Salads to Try
    • How to Make Kale and Quinoa Salad
    • Recipe Video
    • Kale and Quinoa Salad
    • 💬 Comments

    What is Quinoa?

    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 to Try

    • Greek Farro Salad
    • Tabouli Salad with Cucumber, Tomato, Feta and Olives
    • Greek Quinoa Salad
    • Italian Potato Salad

    How to Make Kale and Quinoa Salad

    Step 1: Carefully rinse dry quinoa then simmer covered until tender and curlicues appear.

    Rinsing Quinoa
    fluffing cooked quinoa

    Step 2: Slice kale into thin ribbons and massage with salt until tender and dark green.

    massaging kale with salt

    Step 3: Toss warm quinoa with kale, lemon juice and olive oil. Then top with almonds, feta, avocado and red pepper flakes and serve!

    tossing quinoa and kale with olive oil and lemon juice
    topping kale and quinoa salad with feta almonds and avocado

    Recipe Video

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    kale and quinoa salad served in a white bowl

    Kale and Quinoa Salad

    Marissa Stevens
    Serve this warm or cold - it's delicious either way!
    5 from 9 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 396 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups quinoa thoroughly rinsed
    • 1 bunch Italian kale sliced crosswise into thin ribbons
    • large pinch fine sea salt
    • ¼ 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
    • ½ 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)

    Notes

    This salad is great warm or cold. To serve it cold, refrigerate kale and quinoa after you've tossed it with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Top with remaining ingredients when you're ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 12gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 130mgPotassium: 714mgFiber: 6gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 4635IUVitamin C: 66.9mgCalcium: 168mgIron: 3.4mg
    Keyword 4th of July, gluten free, Memorial Day, picnic
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Salad Recipes

    • Caesar Salad
    • Classic Wedge Salad
    • Crab Salad
    • Zucchini Salad with Lemon, Feta and Pine Nuts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Melissa H says

      July 20, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      Thinking about adding some cooked large shrimp to make this a complete dinner. This recipe has my mouth watering!!! Heading to the grocery store.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 20, 2021 at 5:12 pm

        Sounds amazing, Melissa! I hope you'll love it.

        Reply
    2. Valentina says

      March 02, 2020 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always in for healthy and delicious recipes like this one. I love that every bite is different. So fun! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
    3. Kevin says

      February 29, 2020 at 8:12 am

      5 stars
      Kale and quinoa is the perfect match for a delicious salad, perfect crunch addition too!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 29, 2020 at 11:19 am

        Thank you, Kevin!

        Reply
    4. Liz says

      February 28, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      5 stars
      There's something about quinoa and farro....I'm smitten with salads made with either!! And this combination of ingredients sounds insanely delicious!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 28, 2020 at 2:54 pm

        I love to hear that, Liz. Thank you!

        Reply
    5. David @ Spiced says

      February 27, 2020 at 4:58 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 27, 2020 at 11:52 am

        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!

        Reply
    6. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says

      February 26, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      I am kale and quinoa obsessed - so this is definitely my kind of salad! Healthy but oh so satisfying!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 28, 2020 at 2:58 pm

        Love to hear that, Alexandra! Thank you.

        Reply
    7. Kelly | Foodtasia says

      February 26, 2020 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      Ok, Marissa! Now I'm going to start dreaming about quinoa and kale! This salad looks so refreshing and delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 26, 2020 at 2:45 pm

        haha! Quinoa and kale dreamin'....Thanks, Kelly!

        Reply
    8. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      February 26, 2020 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 26, 2020 at 2:46 pm

        He's a sweetie for sure! Thank you, Dawn! xo

        Reply
    9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      February 26, 2020 at 8:25 am

      5 stars
      I love quinoa salads Marissa! They're so hearty. Love the added feta and avocado!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 26, 2020 at 2:46 pm

        Thanks, Mary Ann! Yes! Hearty and SO tasty.

        Reply
    10. annie@ciaochowbambina says

      January 22, 2018 at 5:54 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 23, 2018 at 10:43 am

        Fantastic! Thank you, Annie!

        Reply
    11. David @ Spiced says

      January 22, 2018 at 5:33 am

      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! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 23, 2018 at 10:42 am

        You crack me up, David! Thank you.

        Reply
    12. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      January 21, 2018 at 9:16 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 21, 2018 at 11:41 am

        Thanks, Kelsie! Crazy, right? Makes me laugh every time I make quinoa.

        Reply
    13. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

      January 20, 2018 at 3:20 pm

      Quinoa, feta, and avocado is one of my favorite salad combos. So simple yet hearty and satisfying. Like the addition of almonds - perfect cruncn!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 21, 2018 at 1:40 am

        Thanks, Ben!

        Reply
    14. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      January 19, 2018 at 7:20 pm

      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!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 20, 2018 at 11:40 am

        That makes me happy, Katherine! So excited to hear what you think!

        Reply
    15. Heather says

      September 17, 2013 at 9:24 am

      This was delicious. Even my quinoa-and-kale hating husband liked it. Reminded me of tabbouleh with the lemony flavor. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        January 19, 2018 at 3:37 pm

        I love to hear that, Heather! Thank you!

        Reply
    16. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

      September 14, 2013 at 5:26 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        September 15, 2013 at 12:26 pm

        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*!

        Reply
    17. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      September 13, 2013 at 8:24 am

      Hehe it's cute how both you and your dad dreamed of kale and quinoa! 😀 I bet he's feeling much healthier now too!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        September 15, 2013 at 12:25 pm

        He's doing great! Thanks Lorraine.

        Reply
    18. Krista says

      September 12, 2013 at 9:15 am

      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...

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        September 12, 2013 at 1:44 pm

        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

        Reply

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