The College Housewife » Recipes » healthy » Kale & Quinoa Citrus Salad

Kale & Quinoa Citrus Salad

This hearty, healthy kale quinoa salad is great for getting your eating back on track after the new year. This easy recipe is filled with tender kale, hearty quinoa and topped with a zesty dressing. My fav part are the juicy blood orange segments!

Your favorite restaurant style kale salad, at home!

 This is my go to kale salad for that light, healthy meal that still leaves you feeling flavor satisfied and actually full. It almost has a ‘spa’ like quality to it. Filled with all the healthy things that your body needs but still tastes insane!

 I promise you that the kale in this salad doesn’t taste like your food’s garnish! If kale is massaged properly it has an amazing texture that holds up well and will never turn soggy on you!

 I love filling this salad up with fresh winter citrus. I think citrus in salads is often overlooked but these segments are little hidden gems bursting with bright flavor! They give your salad a wow factor.

Shop all the details of this post over on The Inspired Home 🙂

My favorite addition is the quinoa. I know salads probably aren’t your go to meal for these cold winter months but believe me when I tell you it’s so hearty! The quinoa fills it out and gives the whole salad this ‘meal’ like quality. If quinoa isn’t your thing you could totally swap it out for rice or any grains.

  To make it a complete meal I always add a salmon filet on top! If chicken is more your speed by all means swap it out. Blackened seasoning is so versatile and goes well with any protein. I always have a pre made bowl of seasoning in my spice drawer that is ready to go.  I love blackening any protein in my Le Creuset cast iron skillet. The skillet retains so much heat and gets an amazing caramelized crust. I seriously don’t cook meat in anything else!

If you’re looking for a delicious lighter meal to restart your week, this is it!

Other great salads: 

 

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Kale & Quinoa Citrus Salad

  • Author: Elizabeth Van Lierde
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 30
  • Yield: 2-4 1x
  • Category: Salad

Description

A salad bursting with flavors like bright citrus, quinoa, garlic, salmon, and much more! Perfect for any lunch or dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

For salad

1 Bunch of dinosaur kale, chopped

1 Tablespoon of olive oil

2 Blood Oranges, peeled and sliced

1 Grapefruit, peeled and sliced

½ Cup of pumpkin seeds

1 Cup of cooked quinoa

1 Avocado, pitted & sliced

2 Small salmon filets

Blackened seasoning

1 Teaspoons of smoked paprika,

1 Teaspoon of onion powder

1 Teaspoon of garlic powder

1/2 Teaspoon of dried oregano

1/2 Teaspoon of brown sugar

1/4 Teaspoon of cayenne pepper

1/4 Teaspoon of freshly cracked pepper

1/2 Teaspoon of kosher salt

1 1/2 Tablespoons of olive or canola oil

Honey mustard vinaigrette

4 Tablespoons of olive oil

Juice of a lemon

1 Tablespoon of Dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon of honey

1 Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

2 Cloves garlic, minced

Salt + pepper to taste


Instructions

  1.  In a small bowl or Mason jar combine all honey mustard vinaigrette ingredients. Whisk or shake in shaker jar for 30-45 seconds or until well blended. Place into the refrigerator and chill while making the rest of the salad.
  2. In a large salad bowl add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Remove center stem and chop kale leaves. Place into large bowl and massage kale pieces with olive oil. This will help break down the kale and leave you with tender pieces instead of hard, crunchy ones. Add in quinoa, blood orange and grapefruit slices, pumpkin seeds, and toss. Place salad into the refrigerator until serving.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together all blackened seasoning ingredients. Rub mixture evenly onto both sides of salmon filets. In a heavy bottom cast iron skillet add in 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil and turn on to medium-high heat. Place a drop of water onto skillet; if it ‘dances’ the skillet is hot enough. Place your fish into skillet skin side down and cook for 3-4 minutes. With a fish turner flip fish and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Place fish onto a paper towel lined plate and serve with salad. This salad will make (2) dinner portions and (3-4) side portions.

 

Don’t forget to pin this Kale & Quinoa Salad recipe for later!

3 Comments

  1. The Twin Cooking Project (The Twin Cooking Project)
    May 16, 2019 / 3:57 am

    I have been so obsessed with quinoa lately – trying this recipe for sure. Also subscribed to your blog right away 🙂

  2. MSG
    January 19, 2019 / 7:23 pm

    Do you happen to know the total calories for this recipe? BWT – I made it this evening and it was WONDERFUL! Thank you so much for the recipe.

    • elizabethvanlierde7698
      Author
      January 29, 2019 / 12:47 am

      So happy to hear that you loved the salad! I’m sorry I don’t have the exact calorie information but I know it’s an extraordinarily healthy salad!

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