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This Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing makes for the perfect lunch or easy side dish. It is delicious, flavorful and loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. This salad comes together in less than five minutes, is nutrient-dense with the best creamy and tasty dressing. Once you make it, you will have it on full rotation.
Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
This Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing is perfect for those days you just crave a nice green salad. It’s light and only calls for a few ingredients. It’s also loaded with many nutrients as all of its ingredients are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. This salad is a great source of protein, fiber, antioxidants, and more. The dressing is also very light, easy to make and adds just the right creaminess and tastiness to take this salad to the next level.
Ingredients needed to make Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
- Curly Kale– You can use dinosaur kale or red kale too.
- Cooked Quinoa– Chilled cooked quinoa is best.
- Sliced Almonds– Make sure they are raw.
- Avocado Oil– to massage kale
- For Dressing– Lemons, tahini, avocado oil, tahini, pink sea salt, garlic powder, warm water.
Equipment needed to make Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
- Large mixing bowl– You need a bowl big enough to mix all of the ingredients.
- Small mixing bowl– To make dressing.
- Small Whisk– To whisk the dressing.
How to make your Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
- Step 1– Thinly chop kale and measure out 2 cups. Place in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with avocado oil and lemon juice. Using your hands, massage your kale thoroughly for a few seconds. This makes your kale tender, less bitter and easier to chew. Place quinoa and almonds over kale.
- Step 2– In a small mixing bowl, combine together the ingredients for dressing; tahini, lemon juice, warm water, pink sea salt, and garlic powder. Whisk together until creamy and smooth texture is reached and dressing is formed.
- Step 3– Drizzle dressing over salad and give it a good toss making sure all of the ingredients are well combined and coated with dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Don’t skip massaging your kale- This makes your kale tender, less bitter and easier to chew.
- Cook quinoa ahead of time– This salad is better with chilled quinoa and it will also save you time.
- Make sure to stir your tahini well before measuring it out and using it– Tahini tends to set and it’s natural oils separate from the paste. You want to make sure you get the oils in there.
- No kale?- Baby spinach is a great substitute.
- No avocado oil?- Use olive oil as a substitute.
- Switch up almonds for other nuts- Pine nuts, cashews or pistachios are great in this salad as well.
- Can’t have nuts?- Use hemp hearts instead.
- Try adding avocado- This salad is so good with added avocado!
How to serve Kale Quinoa Salad:
This Kale Quinoa Salad is super versatile. It is a nutrient-dense wholesome salad and makes for a satisfying and filling meal served on its own. You can also serve it as a side dish next to some chicken, salmon, cod, etc.
Serving Variations:
- Add some roasted chickpeas– It will add even more protein and some crunch.
- Add other more veggies– cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, chopped cucumber, sliced red onion, avocado, julienne carrots, etc.
- Switch up your almonds– Pine nuts, cashews or pistachios are great in this salad as well.
- Use seeds if you can’t have nuts– Pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts are great in this salad too.
- Shredded chicken– Add some chicken for even more protein.
- Feta cheese– It’s so good in this salad. Goat cheese is also a great option.
Kale Quinoa Salad FAQ’s:
Is Kale and quinoa good for you?
Both kale and quinoa are highly nutrient foods. Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods. It’s an excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, Calcium, folic acid iron, and magnesium.
Is raw kale good in salads?
Raw kale is great in salads. Raw kale does tend to have a bitter taste and rough texture. To serve in salads, all it needs is a good massage. Rub your kale with a bit of oil and lemon juice and it will become tender. This technique will also get rid of its bitterness.
Is quinoa a carb or protein?
Although quinoa does contain some protein, it is considered a carbohydrate. It contains many carbs per serving as well as the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches. It’s also high in fiber and antioxidants. Quinoa is an excellent source of protein. It’s high in fiber and antioxidants. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and a great energy booster.
Can I Make Kale and Quinoa Salad Ahead?
Yes. This Kale and Quinoa Salad can be made ahead and kept refrigerated for 3-4 days. Don’t add dressing until ready to serve.
Why Should I Massage Kale for Salad?
Kale tends to have a bitter taste and rough texture. Massaging kale with oil and lemon juice will break down some of the tough, fibrous characteristics of kale. Making it easier to chew and digest.
Is This Recipe Vegan?
Yes. This recipe is vegan friendly.
Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes. This recipe is gluten-free. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free.
Meal Prepping it:
This Kale Quinoa Salad is great for meal prep. It’s so easy to make and holds great in the fridge for a few days. Make it ahead and portion out for quick lunches throughout the week. Make both the salad and dressing ahead but don’t mix them until ready to serve. This will keep the salad fresh for a longer time.
How to store Kale Quinoa Salad:
Store kale quinoa salad in an airtight container to preserve its freshness for a few days. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
Like this Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing? You may also like these other salad recipes:
- Quinoa Chickpea Salad
- Southwest Chicken Salad
- Tuna Apple Salad
- Avocado Egg Salad
- Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Pear-Pomegranate Salad with Candied Pecans and Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
This Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing makes for the perfect lunch or easy side dish. It is delicious, flavorful and loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. This salad comes together in less than five minutes, is nutrient-dense with the best creamy and tasty dressing. Once you make it, you will have it on full rotation.
Ingredients
- 2 cup curly kale (removed from stems)
- 1/2 cup cooked tri-colored quinoa
- 1/4 cup raw sliced almonds
- 1/2 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Dressing
- 1/4 cup tahini (see note)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp warm water
- 1/2 tsp pink sea salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
-
Thinly chop kale and measure out 2 cups. Place in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with avocado oil and lemon juice. Using your hands, massage your kale thoroughly for a few seconds. This makes your kale tender, less bitter and easier to chew. Place quinoa and almonds over kale.
-
In a small mixing bowl, combine together the ingredients for dressing; tahini, lamon juice, warm water, pink sea salt, and garlic powder. Whisk together until creamy and smooth texture is reached and dressing is formed.
-
Drizzle dressing over salad and give it a good toss making sure all of the ingredients are well combined and coated with dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
- Don’t skip massaging your kale- This makes your kale tender, less bitter and easier to chew.
- Cook quinoa ahead of time– This salad is better with chilled quinoa and it will also save you time.
- Make sure to stir your tahini well before measuring it out and using it– Tahini tends to set and it’s natural oils separate from the paste. You want to make sure you get the oils in there.
- No kale?- Baby spinach is a great substitute.
- No avocado oil?- Use olive oil as a substitute.
- Switch up almonds for other nuts- Pine nuts, cashews or pistachios are great in this salad as well.
- Can’t have nuts?- Use hemp hearts instead.
- Try adding avocado- This salad is so good with added avocado!
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
***Post originally published on March 11, 2019.
I think aside from Ceasar salad, i WILL HAVE MY NEW FAVORITE. Wow something new for me really.
This one is as creamy as a Caesar salad so I’m sure you would like it!
oh this looks and sounds so delicious! I had a similar salad at a restaurant and never have found a recipe for it.
I’m glad you found this one!
This sounds super yummy!! I love tahini dressing and this salad is so quick & easy to make – a perfect lunch!
Makes for a wonderful lunch!
This sounds super easy to make. Love the mix of ingredients too. Sounds amazing
Thank you!!
I’ve always enjoyed a good salad. This one is definitely on my list for this weekend. We love quinoa around here.
Let me know how it turns out Dana!
I’m looking into eating more salads for lunch. This kale and quinoa combination sounds worth giving a try.
Definitely worth the try!
Wow, this recipe is so healthy and it looks so delicious. I’m gonna try this one.
Hope you give it a try soon!
Oh I really love these two.. Quinoa and kale.. And combining them is really heaven for me.. Love this recipe..
Thank you so much!
I love making roasted kale in the oven and serving it with quinoa. It’s delicious!
That sounds amazing!
Looks so good and so easy to make! I love quinoa and I haven’t had some in so long, I’ll have to try that recipe!
Yes! Hope you give it a try!
I must try this recipe. It so delicious and look so easy to make and I am sure my husband and my kids will give me a warmer hug because of this.
Aww it makes me so happy to hear that!
I love this recipe so much! Every single ingredient sounds amazing, I’ll definitely be adding this to my list of things to try!
So glad to hear Clare!
Thank you for sharing this recipe- I adore lamb meatballs but have never tried to make it myself. I will now, seems more simple than I thought and how stunning is yours!
Oh hey, looks like I know what I’m eating for lunch tomorrow! I love kale and quinoa, and the lemon tahini dressing looks amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thank you Christa! Can’t wait to hear how you liked it!
It looks so yummy! I’ll have to try it this weekend!
Hope you give it a try Tammie!
Haven’t tried this kind of salad before. Looks easy to prepare, will give this a try this weekend. 🙂
Super easy!
I love kale and quinoa so this salad is perfect. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you like it!
Great recipe. We love quinoa and we’ll try this. 🙂
Let me know how you like once you try it!
This sounds delicious and a perfect salad now that the weather is starting to get warmer.
Yes! Love a good salad in the summer!
Thanks for sharing this nice recipe. Its one of my favorite comfort food.
It’s so good!
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