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Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad

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Embrace the freshness of spring with this Kale Quinoa Citrus Salad. Enjoy the burst of sunshine in every bite and the health benefits that come with it! Perfect for a quick lunch, a hearty dinner, or as a side dish this gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free and ready in under 30 minutes is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation!
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Easy Kale Quinoa Salad With Lemon Dressing

Spring is just around the corner and this salad delivers a burst of sunshine in every bite! Tender kale, hearty quinoa, juicy mandarins, protein packed edamame, crunchy pistachios, and nutty hemp seeds, all tossed in an oil-free lemon maple Dijon dressing. It’s perfect for meal prepping and with the kale, quinoa, hemp seeds, pistachios, and edamame, this dish is packed with over 20g of protein per serving! 

Citrus Kale and Quinoa Salad Ingredients

  • Tuscan Kale: Finely chopped and massaged for maximum tenderness. If Tuscan Kale is not available to you, baby spinach, arugula or regular kale will do.
  • Lemon: Adds freshness and aids in softening the kale as well is essential to the salad dressing. 
  • Olive Oil: Optional, but helps in massaging the kale.
  • Edamame: An essential to that 20 grams of protein, they also add a nice crunch.
  • Quinoa: A gluten-free grain that adds heartiness. If you’re not following a gluten free diet you could also consider couscous or farro.
  • Pistachios: More crunch for this delicious salad. Any nut would work in its place or omit completely if going for a nut free salad.
  • Hemp Seeds: Add a nutty flavor and are a great protein source.
  • Mandarin Oranges: The other bright citrus component of this recipe. Mandarines offer a sweeter citrusy burst.

Why Should I Massage Kale for Salad?

Massaging kale breaks down its tough fibers, making it softer and easier to digest. It also helps in reducing the bitterness, making the kale more palatable. I’ve got a whole post about massaging Kale on my Learn with Jackie page if you’ve never attempted this before! Check out the step by step Kale Massage post here.

The Magic Secret to Delicious Kale

Kale, the superstar green, is known for its health benefits but can sometimes be a bit tough and many do not like its flavor. The secret to transforming kale into a tender, delicious base for our salad is simple: massaging. A quick massage with a bit of lemon juice and olive oil softens the kale, making it the perfect backdrop for the other ingredients. This really does transform your kale from something tough to a much more enjoyable flavor. I highly suggest you don’t skip this step! It only takes a few seconds but makes a big impact.

What’s the Best Way to Cook Quinoa for the Salad?

For fluffy quinoa, use a 1:2 ratio of quinoa to water. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff it with a fork. Quinoa is best when it’s had a moment to rest and absorb all of the water. Make sure to follow the instructions provided on the package of your quinoa for the best results.

How to Make Kale Quinoa Salad

Creating this salad is as easy as it gets. Start by massaging your kale, then add in the cooked quinoa, edamame, sliced mandarins, chopped pistachios, and hemp seeds. The citrus salad dressing—a blend of cashew butter, champagne vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, onion powder, and ground ginger—brings everything together with its bright and tangy flavor. It really is a simple salad with a burst of loveable flavors. It’s a testament to simple ingredients coming together and making something truly irresistible. 

Can I Make Kale and Quinoa Salad Ahead?

This salad’s robust ingredients make it ideal for preparing in advance. If meal-prepping, consider adding the dressing at the time of consumption. This will ensure the freshness of all the ingredients and maintain the best texture and flavor.

Storing Kale and Quinoa Salad

This salad is perfect for meal prep! It keeps well in the fridge, so you can make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week. Just remember to add the dressing right before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant.

Jackie Akerberg

Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa. 

Jackfruitful Kitchen has proudly been featured in Forks Over Knives, Vegan Bowls, Vegan Food and Living, and DSM Magazine.

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Jackie Akerberg

Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad

5 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin to Pinterest!
Spring is just around the corner and this salad delivers a burst of sunshine in every bite! Tender kale, hearty quinoa, juicy mandarins, protein packed edamame, crunchy pistachios, and nutty hemp seeds, all tossed in an oil-free lemon maple Dijon dressing. It’s perfect for meal prepping and with the kale, quinoa, hemp seeds, pistachios, and edamame, this dish is packed with over 20g protein per serving!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad

Equipment

  • stove

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch Tuscan kale, stems removed, finely chopped
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 1 tsp olive oil, optional
  • 2 cups frozen shelled edamame, thawed
  • ¾ cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
  • ⅓ cup pistachios, chopped
  • ¼ cup hemp seeds
  • 2 mandarin oranges, sliced
Oil Free Lemon Dijon Salad Dressing
  • 3 tbsp cashew butter
  • 2 tbsp champagne vinegar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Add the kale to a large salad bowl and drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Use your hands to massage for 30 seconds until tender.
  2. Add all the remaining ingredients for the salad to the bowl. Set aside, or divide between 4 meal prep containers.
  3. Add the ingredients for the dressing to a jar and whisk to combine. Season to taste. Pour over the salad right before serving and toss to combine!

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
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17 Responses

  1. 5 stars
    This was a terrific salad. I used rice vinegar and maybe that made the dressing seem a little too sweet to me. Everyone loved it. I’m glad I doubled the recipe.

    Reply

    1. Hey Susan, Love that this salad was a hit and you were ale to successfully double the recipe! Sorry your dressing didn’t work out as anticipated but glad you were able to make a substitution that worked

      Reply

  2. Love her and way she has explain each and everything in details with her going on plant based with such a delicious and refreshing recipe that our body needs instead of processed food won’t be difficult I am so glad I found her on Instagram can’t look back now going on boring food everyday thanks you thank you thank you

    Reply

  3. 5 stars
    Love this salad, so easy to make! I swapped out the dressing with Braggs oil free vinaigrette and it tasted great! Would love to know how much protein is in this salad?

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    I love this salad. I made it on Sunday and have been enjoying it every day. The flavors really complement each other and the salad holds up well in the fridge (I did not dress or add pistachios until ready to eat). I did not have cashew butter so I subbed almond butter and it tastes amazing.

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    This is not the first salad I have made from Jackfruitkitchen nor will it be the last! It’s the perfect balance of flavors and texture… the sweet clementines, flavorful Dijon lemon dressing, kale and earthy edamame all combine for the perfect bite! Oh the hemp seeds add that small amount of crunch and omega 3s that take it over the top! 😋The recipe is seasonless, but in season citrus makes it the perfect wi there salad!

    Reply

  7. 5 stars
    I made this for friends who aren’t vegetarian (I am) to go with a tortellini soup. What a filling and substantial dinner! Even with substitutes -I didn’t have all the ingredients- it was out of this world satisfying and delicious as a winter salad. Have already shared the recipe! Thanks!

    Reply

  8. 5 stars
    My new favorite salad! This will be on repeat, indefinitely. I subbed almond butter in the dressing and it was delish.

    Reply

  9. 5 stars
    Delicious. I’ve been struggling with animal protein lately and this salad has loads of protein. I put all of the dressing on which I wish I would have held back on a little and not over dressed but that’s on me.

    Reply
5 from 10 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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