Cozy Kale and Quinoa Salad with apples, walnuts, blue cheese and cinnamon dressing. Superfood fall in a bowl that is tasty during Holidays or any day!
Kale in salads like Mexican kale salad and kale blueberry salad, will convince even your grandma that kale is yummy.:)
Kale Quinoa Salad
This kale and quinoa salad is such a mouth, throat (literally, you just wait until it goes down) and heartwarming salad with sweet and zesty cinnamon dressing.
Toasted walnuts, sweet crispy apples, nutty quinoa and superfood kale really come together and shine in this healthy salad recipe.
Quinoa (pronounced “keenwah”) is one of few plant-based foods that is a source of complete protein that contains 9 essential amino acids and is high in fiber, manganese and has low glycemic index.
Kale is a superfood leafy green. It is among the most nutrient dense foods on the planet! It is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins with Vitamins C and K topping the chart.
Ingredients for Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Kale: I like to use curly green kale as it adds volume and texture. Lacinato kale would work as well, there will be just “less of salad and kale”. Also baby kale has nice soft texture and you can skip “massaging” step.
- Quinoa: I recommend to use white or tri-colour quinoa for this salad. Red quinoa would be overpowering in taste and texture.
- Blue cheese: If you don’t love it, feel free to use feta or goat cheese.
- Vinegar: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white or red wine vinegar is great. Not balsamic or white though.
- Apples: Sweet apples like Gala, Red Delicious, honey crisp etc. are the best. And please don’t peel the apples – so many vitamins and minerals are in that peel! I even eat the core if it’s an organic apple, google it.
- Celery: A bit of celery goes so well with apples.
- Walnuts: In my opinion, all nuts taste better toasted. I have heard they lose a bit of their nutritional value but I am OK with that.
- “Warm” Cinnamon Dressing: Apple cider vinegar shines when mixed with good quality extra virgin olive oil, cinnamon, maple syrup, lemon juice and garlic. And don’t worry, dressing doesn’t have to be warm-warm. It is “warm” with spices.
How to Make Kale Quinoa Salad
- Cook quinoa: I personally like to cook quinoa with a ratio of 1 cup dry quinoa to 1.5 cups water for less mushy quinoa or you can follow package directions. I’m also obsessed with Instant Pot quinoa because no babysitting. Also this salad is great for quinoa leftovers.
- Whisk dressing: Combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, cinnamon, salt and pepper; whisk and set aside. Now is good time to chop fruit and veggies and allow dressing flavours to marinate for 10 minutes.
- Massage kale: Pour 1/3 of dressing over kale and massage with your hands until it shrinks in half. This step makes kale less tough and chewy.
- Toast nuts and combine: In a small skillet toast, walnuts on low-medium heat until lightly brown, about 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently and watch closely not to burn. Then add to a bowl with kale along with apples, celery, blue cheese and pour remaining dressing on top. Stir with 2 salad spoons.
How to Serve, Store and Make Ahead
Serving: This kale quinoa salad is quite filling on its own. If you are on “eat less meat” bandwagon, this autumn salad is a quick way of doing so. And please don’t think that my kids were all over it.
Add shredded chicken breast on top. As a side, salad will go well with boneless turkey breast roast, healthy pulled pork or healthy turkey meatballs.
Storing: What’s nice about this salad is that kale doesn’t wilt and quinoa becomes only more flavourful with time. So, while this salad recipe makes a lot, it can last in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Make ahead: Refrigerate kale quinoa salad without the dressing for up to 2 days. Dressing keeps well refrigerated for a few weeks. Then combine when ready.
More Quinoa Salad Recipes
- Southwest quinoa salad
- Broccoli quinoa salad
- Quinoa black bean salad
- Quinoa tabbouleh salad
- Blueberry quinoa salad
- Mediterranean quinoa salad
Kale and Quinoa Salad with Apples and Cinnamon Dressing
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup dry or 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 6 cups (1 bunch) kale stalks removed and finely chopped
- 2 medium apples cored and diced (use sweet variety)
- 3 small celery stalks diced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbled
- 1 cup walnut halves or pecans, or sliced/slivered almonds
Cinnamon Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 lemon juice of
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook quinoa as per package instructions or On Stovetop: Personally, I like to cook quinoa with a ratio of 1 cup dry quinoa to 1.5 cups water. Unlike most packages that state 1:2 ratio. Bring to a boil, cook on low for 12 minutes, let stand for 5 minutes and fluff. This way quinoa comes out less mushy. or make Instant Pot Quinoa.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a small skillet toast walnuts on low-medium heat until lightly brown, about 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently and watch closely not to burn. Set aside.
- To a large salad bowl, add kale and 1/3 of dressing. Massage with your hands until kale has shrunk half in size.
- Then add cooked and fluffed with a fork quinoa, apples, celery, blue cheese and toasted nuts. Pour remaining salad dressing on top and stir gently.
- Serve cold or warm. Add shredded chicken or serve as a side dish for turkey roast.
Store: All dressed salad stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. It's great for meal prep.
Make Ahead: Refrigerate salad without the dressing for up to 2 days. Dressing keeps well refrigerated for a few weeks.
Notes
- Sturdy salad: This salad makes a lot, great as a side dish for dinner or lunches. Kale doesn't wilt and quinoa absorbs delicious dressing, so salad tastes good even days later.
- Kale: I like to use curly green kale as it adds volume and texture. Lacinato kale would work as well, there will be just "less of salad and kale".
- Quinoa: I recommend to use white or tri-colour quinoa for this salad. Red quinoa would be overpowering in taste and texture.
- Blue cheese: If you don't love it, feel free to use feta or goat cheese.
- Vinegar: If you don't have apple cider vinegar, white or red wine vinegar is great. Not balsamic or white though.
Nutrition
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Outstanding
You think nutmeg would substitute well for the cinnamon? My son is allergic to cinnamon.
Sure. I would just use ~1/4 of the amount of nutmeg.
Hi Olena,
This was not the first recipe that popped up when I searched for kale salad recipes, but I am so glad I tried it. One of my favorite kale salad recipes ever. I was pleasantly surprised! Very easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Yay. Yeah, Pinterest is a beast lol.
Is it possible to switch the walnuts for almonds? Mom eats walnuts and they just tear up her mouth leaving it raw afterwards. Thanks in advance and I really love your site. It’s become one of my go tos for Gluten Free recipes.
Yes, of course. Use any nuts you like. Thank you! Interesting, I never ever make recipes gluten free intentionally but end up cooking mostly gluten free because of how many vegetables and whole grains I try to incorporate. Naturally we all are meant to eat less gluten and plant based diet mostly is gluten free. Enjoy!
Hi Olena,
I made this for dinner last night and it was great. That dressing is delicious! My husband turned up his nose when he first saw it, but after tasting it he said it was really good and he had seconds!
What’s wrong with those husbands?! We should all make them cook for a week while looking after 2 kids as well. Glad your family enjoyed the salad!
Hi Olena! I made this today for the second time and also a large tray of your protein bars. So we all feel very healthy today thanks to your wonderful recipes 🙂
The salad is both delicious and looking sooo appetizing 🙂
Thank you again for these delicious recipes!
Great. Phew, I redeemed myself for that pumpkin chia pudding.:)