Description
Quinoa and Kale Salad is a vibrant, nutrient-packed dish combining fluffy quinoa, fresh kale, and a variety of vegetables with a tangy lemon-Dijon dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or side dish, this salad is gluten-free, vegan, and highly customizable for various dietary needs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
- 2 cups kale (chopped, stems removed)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cucumber (sliced)
- 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, for non-vegan)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (for dressing)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (for dressing)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (for dressing)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Cook the Quinoa:
Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water. Combine quinoa with 2 cups of water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.Prepare the Kale:
Wash and chop the kale into bite-sized pieces. Massage the kale with a bit of olive oil for 2 minutes to soften it.Chop the Vegetables:
Slice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion.Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, massaged kale, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.Optional Toppings:
Add crumbled feta cheese if desired. You can also garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.Serve:
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 days. For meal prep, store the dressing separately and add before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ of the total recipe)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg (omit feta to keep it cholesterol-free)
Keywords: Quinoa, Kale, Vegan Salad, Gluten-Free, Quinoa Salad, Healthy Salad, Quick Salad Recipe, Meal Prep Salad, Vegan Meal