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You are here: Home / recipe / Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad

Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad

March 10, 2016 by Taylor 4 Comments

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Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad is my version of Panera’s Mediterranean Quinoa Salad – packed with quinoa, kale, olives, feta, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, and a homemade Greek dressing!

Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad - Overhead on Two Bowls Full of This Delicious Salad

Wooohoooo it’s vacation time!  This morning (at 5 a.m.!) Marc, Lars, and I hopped on a plane to head to Rosemary Beach, Florida for a week of sunshine.  While in the past we have gone to Captiva, Florida, where Marc’s parents have a time-share, this year we are meeting my mom’s side of the family down there for spring break.  I am super excited for Lars to spend some time with his aunts, uncles, and cousins!  Okay, they’re actually his great-aunts/uncles and “cousins once removed” but that just sounds weird, doesn’t it?

Super Delicioius Salad

Anyways, I have a super delicious salad for you today!

Since there was a Panera with a drive-through (best. invention. ever.) right next to where Lars took swimming lessons, I made it a weekly habit to stop there and grab lunch after lessons.  In the past I typically gravitate towards the Fuji Apple Salad or some broccoli cheddar soup if I’m feeling like some cozy food, but ever since trying the Mediterranean Quinoa Salad one week, I’ve been hooked.

What’s a girl to do when she can’t be ordering a $9 salad every day for lunch?  Make it on her own!

Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad - Closeup on the Bowl with a Towel Underneath

I always try to eat a little healthier right before vacation (although last night I did demolish a Chipotle burrito bowl followed by some Girl Scout cookies…oops…) and this Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale salad was my go-to lunch last week.

This salad starts with a base of quinoa and kale, to which you add salty olives, sun-dried tomatoes (I like the ones in oil!), protein-packed garbanzo beans, crunchy sliced almonds, tangy feta, and a simple but tasty homemade Greek dressing.  It’s pretty much a flavor explosion.

Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad

This salad was perfect for making at the beginning of the week and portioning out to have for lunch every day throughout the week.  I love using kale in salads like this because, unlike spinach or romaine, it doesn’t get gross and wilted.

This was so tasty it’s actually on our vacation meal plan!  Yep, I made a vacation meal plan because I’m *kinda* weird like that.

Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad Full of Health, Vitamins and Flavor

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Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad - Overhead on Two Bowls Full of This Delicious Salad

Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad

A healthy and filling recipe for kale salad with mediterranean flavors and quinoa.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: quinoa, kale, salad, mediterranean, olives, lemon, healthy, dinner
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 624kcal
Author: Taylor

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 3/4 cup Kalamata olives
  • 1 small cucumber diced
  • 3 cups chopped kale
  • 1 14 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 4 ounces about 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • For the dressing:
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning OR 1/4 teaspoon each of dried basil dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried sage, dried tarragon
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Cook quinoa according to directions on package. I cook mine with a 1:2 quinoa to water ratio about 15-18 minutes, until fluffy.
  • Combine quinoa with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, cucumber, kale, garbanzo beans, and almonds.
  • Make dressing by combining all dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake until well combined.
  • Pour over salad mixture and toss well to combine.
  • Top with feta cheese.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 624kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 779mg | Potassium: 1220mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3667IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 277mg | Iron: 6mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @greensnchocolate to let me know!
Need more ideas?Find all of my recipe pins @greenschocolate
Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad Super Long Collage with Text Overlay. Source: greensnchocolate.com

Mediterranean Quinoa and Kale Salad Collage with Text Overlay

Like this mediterranean quinoa and kale salad recipe?  Check out these other quinoa recipes:

  • Butternut Squash, Chicken Sausage, and Kale Quinoa Skillet
  • Quinoa Power Bowls
  • Smoky Beet and Quinoa Burgers
  • Tomato Basil Quinoa Casserole
  • Detox Tuscan Kale Salad

related posts:

Grilled Chipotle Veggie Burritos
Turkey Avocado Club Wraps
Caramel Apple Scones
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Filed Under: lunch, main dish, recipe, side dish, vegetarian Tagged With: kale, kale salad, mediterranean, mediterranean salad, olives, quinoa, Quinoa Salad, vegetarian, vegetarian salad

Previous Post: « One Skillet Creamy Bacon and Kale Gnocchi
Next Post: Healthy Weekly Meal Plan Week of 3.12.16 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley says

    March 10, 2016 at 11:12 am

    Have soooo much fun on vacation Taylor!! Love the sound of this salad – so right up my alley!!

    Reply
  2. Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says

    March 11, 2016 at 11:11 am

    Have fun on vacation!! I’ll try to be content in the MN sun! 😉 Love this salad!

    Reply
  3. Susan says

    October 10, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    5 stars
    Love this salad! My husband is not a fan of kale or feta but he ate this and liked it! I would love to know the nutritional facts on this recipe.

    Reply
    • Taylor says

      October 12, 2020 at 7:49 pm

      So happy to hear this! I will update it with the nutritional information.

      Reply

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Hi! Welcome to greens & chocolate, where healthy cooking meets sinful indulgence. I'm Taylor, a Minnesota girl who loves eating healthy, a daily chocolate indulgence, and running, yoga, and chasing after my sons to balance it all out. I'm so happy you stopped by, and hope you enjoy the recipes I have to share!

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