This fruit-studded quinoa kale salad is a perfect fall side dish or lunch. And since I like to get my greens in every way possible, I snuck in some thinly-sliced ribbons of kale, which cooks quickly and is added to the salad at the end. Use your favorite apple variety in this recipe, or try it with pears instead!
Quinoa Kale Salad with Apples
Fall Quinoa Salad with Apple and Kale
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Homemade Levity
Recipe type: Grain Sides, Main Dish
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 c quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 1 t olive oil
- ¼ c red onion, small dice
- 3 c kale, thinly sliced in ribbons and then cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- 2 c diced apples (I used Gala, but most any variety will be great)
- ½ c celery, diced
- ½ c walnuts, toasted
Dressing
- 1 t Dijon mustard
- 2 t maple syrup
- ¼ c apple cider vinegar
- 1 t fresh thyme
- ½ c olive oil
- ¼ t salt
Instructions
- Combine quinoa with 2 cups water in a covered saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes until the quinoa is cooked and no liquid is remaining. Uncover and set aside to cool.
- In a medium saute pan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil, add red onion and kale and saute about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a small bowl, combine mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and thyme. Stir to combine and then slowly add in olive oil in a steady stream. Add salt to taste.
- Transfer cooled quinoa to a large bowl. Stir in kale mixture, apples and celery until well combined. Add in dressing and stir until well coated. Top with walnuts and serve.
rika@vm says
I tried a fruity kale salad with curried dressing before, with Braeburn apples and the recipe was from Oregon Food Day cookbook. It was ah-mazing. I love the idea of adding quinoa to the salad – and your sweet and tangy dressing is a must to try!