Kale and quinoa may sound like the ultimate health-food duo, but this salad goes far beyond the clichés. It’s vibrant, hearty, and full of texture, the kind of dish that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Whether you’re looking for a satisfying lunch, a colorful side, or a plant-based dinner, this salad delivers on all fronts.
At its core, this is a salad that brings together bold greens and protein-packed grains. Kale, with its earthy bitterness and satisfying crunch, stands up beautifully to the nutty, fluffy quinoa. It’s a pairing that works because they balance each other out, one is rugged and strong, the other light and adaptable. When tossed together, they create the foundation for endless flavor possibilities.
What really elevates this salad is the layering of textures. Think toasted seeds for crunch, creamy avocado for richness, maybe some dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds for a pop of sweetness. The salad is endlessly customizable depending on what you have in your kitchen or what’s in season. That’s part of the beauty, it’s flexible, unfussy, and still feels fresh every time.
A zesty dressing, often citrus- or vinegar-based, helps to soften the kale and tie all the components together. The longer it sits, the better it gets. This is one of those rare salads that actually improve after a few hours in the fridge. It’s make-ahead friendly, which makes it great for meal prep or entertaining.
Beyond the flavor and texture, Kale and Quinoa Salad checks all the right boxes nutritionally. It’s loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and plant-based protein. It’s the kind of food that energizes rather than weighs you down.
In short, this salad is far from boring. It’s colorful, nutrient-dense, and completely satisfying. Whether you’re trying to eat more greens or simply want something delicious that happens to be good for you, Kale and Quinoa Salad is a modern classic worth keeping on rotation.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 bunch kale chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 clove garlic minced
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large bowl, massage chopped kale with a little bit of salt until it softens.
- Add the cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese to the kale. Toss to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Nutrition
This salad is amazing! The quinoa adds such a nice texture.
I added chicken and it was so much better. Just a suggestion!
Chicken sounds good, but isn’t that a bit heavy for a salad? Just saying!
Not a fan of kale, how can you even eat that stuff??
OMG I love feta, it made this salad so tasty! Yummy!
Why do you have to massage the kale? Seems silly to me.
Massaging the kale helps break down the tough fibers, making it easier to eat and more flavorful! It’s not silly at all!
Ehh, I don’t think it’s worth the hype. They say it’s healthy but tastes… bleh.
Healthy doesn’t always mean tasty tho. I tried this and I didn’t like it either. Just my opinion!
I get what you’re saying, but I think it’s super tasty when you add some grilled chicken! Maybe try that?
Kale? More like fail! 😩
I actually love kale! It’s super healthy. Maybe you just didn’t make it right? 🤷♀️
I didn’t really like kale before, but this recipe changed my mind. So good!
Wow, I never thought I’d like kale either! This recipe sounds delicious. Gonna give it a try!
Why cook that quinoa? I just use rice instead. Quinoa tastes weird.
Too many ingredients! Why not just mix the things without cooking? 🤷♀️
I don’t know about this combination. Kale is too bitter for me. 😕
Love it! Super healthy and fresh! 🌱 Going to make it again for lunch tomorrow.
That’s awesome! I love adding avocado to mine for extra creaminess! 🥑
This recipe is perfect for summer! Light and full of flavor. Thanks!
So easy to make, and delicious! My kids loved it! 🤗
I follow a low-carb diet, so this may not suit me. But it looks pretty!
Looks great! Maybe I can try it on a cheat day. 😋
But quinoa is high in carbs too! How is this low-carb? 🤔
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh? Just curious.
I hate kale, but this recipe made it edible. The dressing was delicious!
Lettuce would be better for this. Kale is a bit rough for my taste.
Uhh, what even is quinoa? Is it like rice? 🤔
This was way too salty for my taste. I think I added too much salt by mistake.
This salad is amazing! So refreshing and healthy. I’d eat it every day if I could! 🌱
Can I use spinach instead of kale? Not a fan of kale.
I had quinoa once and it was awful, I don’t understand the hype! But my friend loved this salad.
I tried making this but it just didn’t come out right. The quinoa was mushy and the kale was too tough.
Sorry to hear that! The quinoa can get mushy if it’s overcooked. Did you let it sit off the heat after cooking? That helps!
Mushy? I thought quinoa was supposed to be fluffy! Maybe you cooked it too long? Just saying.
This salad is amazing! The flavors are so fresh and vibrant. I loved the addition of feta!
I agree! The feta really takes it to the next level. So good!
Eh, it’s just another salad. I think it could use some meat or something.
This salad is delicious! The quinoa pairs so well with the kale. Definitely a keeper!
I think I messed it up. My quinoa was mushy and the kale was too hard to chew.
This is gonna be my go-to salad for summer! So healthy!
Sounds amazing! I love anything with quinoa. Can’t wait to try it!
Kale? Really? It’s kinda bitter isn’t it? I’ll stick with romaine.
Great recipe! I added some avocado and it really took it to the next level. Will make again!
Had to Google what quinoa is… pretty weird name. But it was alright!
Not bad, but I feel like it needs something more… maybe some nuts? 🤔
Yum! I added some nuts and avocado for extra flavor. Will make again!
Kale with quinoa? Why do people eat these things? I prefer burgers!
Too many ingredients for me. I just want simple! But I guess it looked good.
I made this for a potluck, and everyone loved it! I added some nuts for crunch.
Kale? Really? I don’t get why people love it so much. It’s just… leafy. What’s with the hype?
That sounds amazing! Nuts are a great addition for texture. Definitely trying this next time!
I dunno, I think kale is overrated. Can I just use spinach instead?