Kale Quinoa Salad Recipe
A vibrant and nutritious Kale Quinoa Salad featuring tender massaged kale, fluffy quinoa, crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and tangy feta, all tossed in a zesty homemade lemon-Dijon dressing. Perfect as a wholesome lunch or a refreshing side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa and Broth
- ⅔ cup quinoa
- 1 ⅓ cups vegetable broth (or water)
Salad
- 3 cups chopped kale (lightly packed)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup shredded carrot (or cut into matchsticks)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine mesh strainer and drain well to remove any bitterness.
- Cook Quinoa: Place the rinsed quinoa in a medium saucepan with the vegetable broth or water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Cover and let it rest for 5 minutes before allowing it to cool completely.
- Prepare Dressing: In a jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Shake well until the dressing is well emulsified.
- Massage Kale: Place the chopped kale in a medium bowl. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Massage the kale with your hands until the leaves become tender and dark green, which should take a few minutes.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooled quinoa, chopped pecans, shredded carrot, crumbled feta cheese, diced red onion, and dried cranberries to the kale in the bowl.
- Dress and Toss: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss everything well to ensure even coating.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Massaging the kale is essential to soften its texture and make it more palatable.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different crunch.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Make sure quinoa is fully cooled before combining with kale to prevent wilting.
- Salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for best freshness.
Keywords: Kale salad, quinoa salad, healthy salad, vegetarian, gluten free salad, easy lunch, massaged kale, feta cheese salad
Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/kale-quinoa-salad-recipe/
