Easy Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

If you’re looking for a healthy, tasty, and easy meal, kale quinoa salad is a great choice. It combines nutritious kale with protein-packed quinoa to give you a filling dish that’s good for your body and your taste buds. Kale quinoa salad is simple to make and perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

This post may contain affiliate links.

You can enjoy this salad as a complete meal or a side dish. It’s fresh, flavorful, and packed with vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s easy to mix up with your favorite add-ons like nuts, cheese, or a tangy dressing.

Making this salad will save you time and give you a boost of energy. Once you try it, you might find it becoming one of your go-to meals.

How To Make Kale Quinoa Salad

You need fresh, simple ingredients and a clear process to make this salad. Using the right steps will help you get a tasty and healthy dish that balances crunchy kale, fluffy quinoa, and a flavorful dressing.

Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water or vegetable broth
4 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1/4 cup toasted almonds or walnuts (optional)
1/4 cup feta cheese or vegan alternative (optional)

For the Lemon Dressing:

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1-2 lemons)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Enjoy your fresh and healthy kale quinoa salad!

Rinse quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Massage the kale with your hands for 2-3 minutes until it softens and darkens in color. This helps reduce bitterness and makes it easier to digest.

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Add cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and nuts (if using) to the kale. Pour the lemon dressing over the salad and toss everything together until evenly coated.

Sprinkle feta cheese on top if desired.

Tips For The Best Flavor

Massaging the kale is key. Do it for at least 2 minutes to soften leaves and bring out sweetness.

Let the salad chill for 10-15 minutes before eating. This helps the flavors blend.

Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice will not give as bright a taste.

Cook quinoa with a pinch of salt to boost its flavor.

Add crunchy or sweet toppings, like nuts or dried cranberries, for texture and a flavor boost.

Serving Suggestions And Storage

You can make your kale quinoa salad more exciting with simple add-ins and changes. There are easy ways to serve it that work for meals or snacks. Knowing how to store it well will help keep it fresh longer.

Tasty Add-Ins And Variations

Try adding chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts for crunch. Dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins add sweetness. You can mix in feta cheese or goat cheese for a creamy texture.

For more protein, add grilled chicken or chickpeas. Fresh herbs like parsley or mint brighten the taste. Swap lemon juice for balsamic vinegar to change the flavor feel.

You can also add vegetables like shredded carrots, cucumber, or cherry tomatoes. These add color and make your salad more filling without much extra effort.

Serving Ideas

Serve your kale quinoa salad cold or at room temperature. It works great as a main dish or side. You could plate it alongside grilled fish or roasted vegetables for a full meal.

This salad also makes a good option for lunchboxes. Pack it in a sealed container and add a small dressing packet to keep it fresh until mealtime.

You can use it as a topping for flatbreads or pita bread with some hummus spread underneath. It’s a quick, light meal you can prepare ahead.

How To Store And Keep Fresh

Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for 3 to 4 days. Keep the dressing separate if you want the kale to stay crisp.

If you mix dressing in early, expect softer kale. You can freshen it by adding a little lemon juice before serving. Always check for odor or appearance changes before eating leftovers.

For longer storage, freeze the quinoa (not kale) in a separate bag. Add fresh kale after thawing to keep texture and flavor.

Follow my summer salads board on Pinterest.