• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Gitta's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Supper
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Seasonal
      • Holidays
      • Thanksgiving
  • About Gitta's Kitchen
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
×
  • Almond Croissants on a wire cooling rack
    Easy Almond Croissant Recipe
  • little smokies pigs in a blanket on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper
    Pigs in a Blanket with Little Smokies
  • Grilled chicken breasts with balsamic glaze, sliced on a white plate
    Easy Grilled Balsamic Herb Chicken Breasts
  • Two chicken fajitas in tortillas on a round plate
    Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas with Vegetables
  • Breakfast Croissant Sandwich with Scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon
    Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches with Eggs, Cheese, and Bacon
  • Little smokies hot dogs in bbq sauce in a blue bowl
    2-Ingredient Cocktail Sausages in Barbeque Sauce
  • Goulash in bowl with spaetzle
    How to make the Best Austrian Beef Goulash-Easy
  • Serving spoon with chicken, orzo and pesto in a square baking casserole
    One Pan Chicken with Orzo and Pesto
  • Taco Seasoning in a small mason jar with a spoon in it and the jar is on a pumpkin colored napkin
    How to Make DIY Taco Seasoning Mix
  • Turkey meat sauce in a staub dutch oven with a wooden spoon in the sauce
    Fast and Easy Pasta Sauce with Ground Turkey
  • cooked sugar snap peas in a white bowl
    How to Cook Sugar Snap Peas
  • Cooked shrimp with lemon wedges on a white square plate with cocktail sauce in a round bowl next to the shimp
    Easy Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Home » Recipes » Salads

Easy Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

Published: Aug 19, 2021 · Modified: Mar 5, 2024 by Gitta Grether-Sweeney · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

Kale and Quinoa Salad is the perfect pairing for any time of the year, especially in the summer when tomatoes have the best flavor. It is refreshing, delicious, and holds up well for potlucks, barbeques, or family night dinners. You will want to make extra so that you have lunch prepared for the entire week.

Kale and quinoa salad with tomatoes in a bowl, wood salad tongs next to bowl and lemon above bowl

This Kale and Quinoa Salad is one of my "go-to" salads during the summer because kale and tomatoes are in season.

Unlike so many other kale and quinoa salads, you do not have to massage the kale in this recipe. That is one less preparation step, which is a win for all cooks. No one wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen in the summer. Right?

My mantra is quick, easy, and delicious, and this salad hits all those points.

Prep and assembly are minimal. First, cook the quinoa. While cooking, remove the stems from the kale and slice the leaves into thin strips. Cut the tomatoes in half or fourths. To quickly cool the quinoa, transfer it to a bowl and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the lemon dressing.

Assemble the salad by placing all the ingredients in a bowl and then toss it with the lemon dressing.

That's it! Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate until serving.

Jump to:
  • Why I love this recipe
  • Simple and Short Ingredient List
  • Let's Make Easy kale Salad
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Kale and Quinoa Salad: FAQS
  • Storage Tips
  • Salad Variations
  • Leftovers Ideas
  • What to serve with kale and quinoa salad?
  • 📋 Recipe
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • 💬 Comments

Why I love this recipe

  • It is refreshing, especially on a hot day.
  • NO need to massage the kale! Yay!
  • The salad is packed with healthy ingredients: vitamin-rich kale and tomatoes, high protein quinoa, and the whole thing is tossed with lemon dressing made with vitamin C-rich lemon juice and heart-healthy olive oil.
  • I can make it ahead of time.
  • Leftovers make delicious lunches.
  • The ingredient list is short-only 6 ingredients (not including salt and pepper).

Simple and Short Ingredient List

Lemon, Kale, Feta cheese, salt, olive oil, quinoa, tomatoes, in bowls on wood service
  • Quinoa-is a high protein grain (8 grams of protein in 1 cup) that adds texture and a nutty flavor to the salad.
  • Kale-Lacinato kale, also called dinosaur or Tuscan kale, Is the best kale for this salad. Unlike curly kale, it does not have a bitter taste, and it is more tender.
  • Feta Cheese-adds great flavor and creaminess to the salad.
  • Tomatoes-use either grape or cherry tomatoes. They add color as well as flavor. In a pinch, you can chop up a whole tomato, but remove the seeds before adding the tomato to the salad.
  • Olive oil and lemon juice-are combined to make a simple and refreshing dressing.

Let's Make Easy kale Salad

Cooked quinoa in a sauce pan
Cooked quinoa in a white bowl
Stem removed from kale in a cutting board
Thinly sliced kale
Tomatoes, quinoa, feta cheese and kale in a white bowl
Lemon dressing in a white bowl with a whisk
  • Cook the quinoa according to the directions on the package. Set aside to cool.
  • While the quinoa is cooking, remove the stems from the kale and slice in thin strips.
  • Place the kale, tomatoes, and feta cheese on the kale.
  • Whisk lemon juice and olive oil and season with salt.
Tossing kale and quinoa salad

Toss with dressing and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

  1. Be sure to remove the stem from the kale becuase it is tough and bitter and will ruin th salad.
  2. If possible, let the salad rest about 30 minutes before serving.

Kale and Quinoa Salad: FAQS

Can I use curly kale?

Curly kale is tough and bitter; therefore, I would not recommend it for this salad.

Can this salad be made ahead of time?

Yes! Kale and quinoa salads are delicious if they are made ahead of time.

Can I cook the quinoa in the microwave?

Yes, follow the manufacturer's instructions to cook quinoa in the microwave.

Is quinoa gluten-free?

Yes, quinoa is gluten-free.

Storage Tips

Store the kale salad in a covered container until ready to serve.

Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Salad Variations

It is easy to customize this salad by switching out some of the ingredients. Try any of the following ideas:

  • Replace the tomatoes with dried fruit such as cranberries, apricots, or cherries, and add some nuts like sliced almonds.
  • Substitute diced apples for the tomatoes and add a few dried cranberries and toasted almond slivers.
  • Add shredded carrots for additional flavor and color.
  • Fresh herbs such as thyme, basil, parsley, or cilantro would be delicious additions.
  • Add shredded rotisserie or other cooked chicken.
  • Substitute goat cheese for the feta.

Leftovers Ideas

Kale salad leftovers make delicious lunches. I like to prepare a double batch of this salad and pre-portion it for grab-and-go lunches during the week.

Kale and quinoa salad in rectangle glass containers

What to serve with kale and quinoa salad?

Kale and quinoa are filling, which makes this a delicious and light meal on its own.

Or, for a heartier meal, pair it with grilled chicken breasts, roasted chicken, or this sheet pan dinner. It is also fantastic with grilled pork chops or grilled steak.

Click here to PIN for later.

I hope you try this recipe! Please rate it and comment below. I love hearing from you! ❤️

Print

📋 Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Kale and quinoa salad with tomatoes in a bowl, wood salad tongs next to bowl and lemon above bowl

Easy Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Gitta
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This kale and quinoa salad with a lemon dressing is a light meal on its own, or pair it with grilled chicken or pork for a heartier meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • ½ cup quinoa
  • 5 leaves Lacinato kale (3 cups shredded)
  • 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½-1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese


Instructions

  1. Cook the quinoa.  Bring 1 cup water to boil in a small to medium saucepan over medium heat.   Add quinoa, cover pan, and reduce heat to low.  Simmer 8-10 minutes or until all the water has absorbed.   Let rest 5 minutes. Transfer to salad bowl to cool.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the kale, tomatoes, and lemon dressing.
  3. Rinse kale under cold running water.  Place kale in a salad spinner or dry with paper towels.  Remove the stems from the kale.  Stack the leaves and slice them into ¼ inch strips.
  4. Rinse tomatoes and cut them in half or fourths, depending on their size.
  5. Make the lemon dressing by combining lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.  Whisk together until the dressing is emulsified.
  6. Once the quinoa is cool, add the kale,  tomatoes, and feta cheese.  Toss.  Pour the lemon dressing on the salad and toss until combined.
  7. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving. 

Notes

  1.     Salad can be eaten at room temperature.  

*Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 169
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 238.5 mg
  • Fat: 12.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.9 g
  • Protein: 3.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @gittas_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #gittas_kitchen

For your convenience, I have included links to Amazon for equipment that I use to make this recipe. “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.” If you purchase the equipment, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my policy.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Don't miss new recipes! Click here to get recipes sent straight to your inbox!

More Salads

  • Shredded Kale and chopped red cabbage in a white bowl with wood tongs on the left side
    Easy Kale and Red Cabbage Slaw with Parmesan Cheese Recipe
  • Greek pasta salad with farfalle pasta, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, parsley
    Simple and Healthy Greek-Style Pasta Salad without Black Olives
  • Corn and Tomato Salad in a white bowl
    Easy Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad with Feta and Basil
  • Arugula salad with red pepper flakes in a white bowl, lemon wedges on side and wooden salad tons next to the bowl
    Easy Baby Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Picture of Gitta Grether-Sweeney

Welcome to Gitta's Kitchen! I will inspire you to prepare delicious meals for your family by sharing simple and healthier recipes. Step-by-step instructions ensure your success. Join me in my kitchen, and let's start cooking! 

More about me

Best Breakfast Recipes for Easter or Mother's Day!

  • Almond Croissants on a wire cooling rack
    Easy Almond Croissant Recipe
    Cook Time20 minutes
  • Three open-face breakfast tacos
    Quick and Easy Breakfast Tacos with Potatoes, Eggs, and Cheese
    Cook Time20 minutes
  • Breakfast Croissant Sandwich with Scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon
    Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches with Eggs, Cheese, and Bacon
    Cook Time30 minutes
  • Roasted Breakfast Potatoes in a serving bowl
    Roasted Potatoes with Onions and Red Peppers
    Cook Time40 minutes
  • Scrambled Egg, Bacon & Cheese wrapped in puff pastry bundle
    Simple Scrambled Eggs and Puff Pastry Bundles Recipe
    Cook Time40 minutes
  • Egg casserole on a plate and in a red casserole
    Easy Egg and Cheese Casserole for Brunch
    Cook Time50 minutes

Popular Appetizer Recipes

  • little smokies pigs in a blanket on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper
    Pigs in a Blanket with Little Smokies
    Cook Time30 minutes
  • Cooked shrimp with lemon wedges on a white square plate with cocktail sauce in a round bowl next to the shimp
    Easy Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
    Cook Time15 minutes
  • bacon wrapped dates with toothpicks through them on a blue plate
    Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Hot Honey Glaze
    Cook Time35 minutes
  • Pimento cheese in a white bowl, surrounded by crackers, pimento topped crackers, pimento stuffed celery and baby carrots
    Easy Spicy Pimento Cheese without Cream Cheese Recipe
    Cook Time10 minutes
  • Layered cream cheese and pesto spread with cherry tomato and basil leaf on top surrounded by slices of French bread
    The Best Pesto, sun-dried tomato, and cream cheese spread appetizer
    Cook Time15 minutes
  • Spiced pecans in a white bowl
    How to make Easy Spiced Pecans
    Cook Time50 minutes

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Newsletter

  • Subscribe to the Newsletter

Contact

  • About & Contact Information

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Gitta's Kitchen