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 combined with different greens, nuts, and cheese after which tossed in a easy dressing.

This can convert anybody right into a kale lover!

This salad has the right 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 will be FROZEN for future lunches.
It’s nice as a hearty lunch salad or a aspect 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 are deep inexperienced and take away any torn or wilted leaves, in addition to the stalks. Whereas I most frequently use curly kale, you need to use different varieties like lacinato kale, child kale, or Tuscan kale.

Quinoa: Cooking quinoa in broth (as an alternative of water) provides additional taste. Quinoa will be changed with different grains like brown rice, farro, or barley.

Greens: Shredded carrots and sliced purple onions supply coloration and crunch and can be found year-round. Seasonal veggies like chunks of roasted squash, corn, or beets will be added as properly!

Different Flavorful Additions: Dried cranberries add sweetness and so will recent 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 really easy to make; simply put all the pieces 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 a bit additional tang. Honey balances the dressing for the right chunk.

Variations

Bulk up the salad by including chopped broccoli slaw, shredded Brussels sprouts, or spinach.
Add different veggies; virtually something goes. In case you’re not freezing this salad, attempt cherry tomatoes, purple 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 additional protein.
Substitute the honey with sugar or maple syrup.

kale in a bowl to make Kale Quinoa Salad

The way to Make Kale Quinoa Salad

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

When making a kale salad of any sort, massaging the leaves could appear odd, however it makes an enormous 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 is going to 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 recent nuts, cheese, or dressing, if desired.
Imagine 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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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

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This kale quinoa salad provides an ideal mix of recent flavors, making it a scrumptious alternative for a aspect dish or lunch.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 20 minutes

Chill Time 1 hour

Whole Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Prepare dinner ModeForestall your display screen from going darkish

Rinse the quinoa in a fantastic mesh strainer and drain properly.
Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan with vegetable broth or water.
Carry 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 properly.
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 turn into tender and darkish inexperienced.
Add the cooled quinoa, pecans, carrots, feta cheese, purple onion, and dried cranberries to the bowl.
Pour the dressing over the elements and toss properly to mix.
Refrigerate the salad for at the very least 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’d counsel a light-weight citrusy French dressing.

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

Course Lunch, Salad, Aspect Dish

Delicacies American

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