This post contains affiliate links.
This Mediterranean-inspired quinoa kale salad is full of wholesome ingredients and drizzled with a citrusy honey mustard dressing that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and thirds!). Bonus: it’s ready in 15 minutes.
save this recipe!This is one of those salads I make when I want something that tastes fresh but still feels like a real meal. The kale stays crisp, the quinoa makes it filling, and the dressing pulls everything together with just the right hit of brightness. It is simple, dependable, and surprisingly crowd-pleasing. I hope it earns a spot in your weekly rotation the way it has in mine.
Reader rating
“I didn’t have feta so I whisked some goat cheese in the dressing it became rich and creamy turned out great, have made the salad several times with the feta always a crowd pleaser.” —Eric
Key Ingredients
Jump to the recipe card for exact amounts.
- Quinoa: White quinoa gave the fluffiest texture. Rinse well to remove bitterness.
- Kale: Curly kale holds dressing beautifully and softens when massaged.
- Red Onion: Adds sharpness and crunch. Dice it small for even distribution.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled or cubed feta adds creamy saltiness. Look for block feta in brine for the best flavor.
- Raisins: A sweet element to balance the dressing and the tanginess of the onion and feta.
- Lemon Dijon Dressing: Olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon, honey, and garlic whisk into a bright, emulsified vinaigrette that clings to every bite.
Flavor Variations
- Change Up The Grain: You can also use couscous, bulgur, and wild rice (or even cauliflower rice to keep it lower in carbs!).
- Raisin Replacements: The raisins can be substituted for dried cranberries, dried tart cherries, or diced fresh apples.
- Greens Swap: Not a fan of kale? Use your favorite leafy green here (like spinach or romaine).
Plays Well With
Serve this quinoa kale salad with other Mediterranean classics to make a full dinner spread! Here are some of our top picks.
- Roasted Chickpea Gyros: With almost 200 5-star reviews, this vegetarian dinner is guaranteed to be a hit.
- Portobello Mushroom Gyros: Another variation of our chickpea gyros that’s meaty (without the meat!) and topped with creamy tzatziki.
- Mediterranean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Loaded with hearty flavors, these potatoes are a healthy dinner that everyone will love.
Zesty Kale Quinoa Salad (15 Minutes)
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 60 mL
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 15 g
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 15 mL
- 1 Tbsp honey, 15 g
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Pinch salt and pepper
Salad
- 1 cup quinoa, 170 g
- 4 handfuls finely chopped curly kale, stems removed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- ½ cup diced red onion, ½ a medium onion
- ½ cup feta cheese, cubed or crumbled, 75 g
- ¼ cup raisins, 30 g
Instructions
- Dressing: Whisk together all Dressing ingredients until evenly combined.
- Quinoa: Rinse 1 cup quinoa in a fine sieve under running water to remove the natural bitter coating. Cook according to package instructions. (Add to a medium pot with water. Bring to a boil and cook, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes, until fluffy.)
- Salad: Remove the stems and roughly chop the kale until you have 4 handfuls finely chopped curly kale. Massage kale by scrunching it in your hands for a minute or two until it's dark and tender.
- Assemble: Toss together quinoa, kale, ½ cup diced red onion, ½ cup feta cheese, and ¼ cup raisins. Drizzle with dressing, tossing to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
I didn’t have feta so I whisked some goat cheese in the dressing it became rich and creamy turned out great, have made the salad several times with the feta always a crowd pleaser
So delicious!! Nice and easy!! I added chickpeas and walnuts to mine!
So pumped you enjoyed the recipe, thanks Bryana!
My family loved this! This recipe is so delish. It’s in repeat now in my house and I have friends and family making it too! 10/10. Thank you!!!
Thanks so much for trying it Christina, appreciate you being here!