Avocado Kale Quinoa Salad mixes kale, creamy avoid, quinoa and is tossed in a light lemon dressing. This salad is light, healthy and perfect for lunches or a side to your dinner. You can add grilled chicken, salmon or a handful of beans to add protein! 

AVOCADO KALE QUINOA SALAD

Kale salads are some of my favorite salads. Two of my favorites I shared on here, this Simple Massaged Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing, Kale Cucumber Tabbouleh and this Tropical Kale Quinoa Salad. Year after year, the Simple Massaged Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing remains one of my site’s most popular recipes.

For today’s Avocado Kale Quinoa Salad I used that popular salad and dressed it up a bit with avocado and quinoa. It is such a simple salad to throw together and a great base for adding lots of other fun vegetables, beans, or grilled meats. If you are wondering what massaged kale is, I am here to explain!

HOW DO YOU MAKE A KALE SALAD?

I personally love massaging my kale for salads because it creates a softer, less tough kale. It also works the salad dressing into the kale and really helps the flavors stand out. Since I am a lemon lover I used a lemon, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper for today’s salad. Super simple! But you really can use whatever dressing you fancy. I would suggest sticking to an oil based dressing if you are planning to massage the kale otherwise just drizzle a creamy dressing over the salad without massaging it.

IS A KALE SALAD HEALTHY?

I love adding creamy avocado to salads, not only for the texture and taste, but for the health benefits. Avocados are a great source of nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, including potassium. They are a good source of B vitamins to help fight off disease along with Vitamin C and E. Avocados are also low in sugar and contain fiber, to keep you feeling full longer.

As we enter the warmer months of the year, salads like this Avocado Kale Quinoa Salad, are perfect to add  to your menu. Not only are salads like this one light and healthy, they won’t leave your overly full on those hot, muggy summer days. I love adding our leftover grilled chicken or salmon to my salad along with a handful of chickpeas.

If you are trying to incorporate more kale into your diet try this One Pot Kale Broccoli Chickpea Orecchiette Pasta, this Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup or this Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup. They are all delicious, easy ways to incorporate more of that delicious superfood!

OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

 Tropical Tuna Stuffed Avocado

Avocado Tomatillo Salsa

Southwestern Avocado Quinoa Salad

Yield: 6

Avocado Kale Quinoa Salad

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Avocado Kale Quinoa Salad mixes kale, creamy avoid, quinoa and is tossed in a light lemon dressing. This salad is light, healthy and perfect for lunches or a side to your dinner. You can add grilled chicken, salmon or a handful of beans to add protein!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 10 ounces kale, trimmed and washed
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup quinoa, cooked according to package
• 2 avocados, seeds removed, sliced

Instructions

1. In a large salad or mixing bowl combine kale, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon, salt and pepper. Using your hands massage the kale with the dressing for 2-3 minutes, until the kale becomes soft.
2. Add the quinoa and toss. Top with the avocado and grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Try adding grilled chicken or salmon.

Add nuts like almonds, pecans or almonds.

Throw in a handful of beans-white beans or chickpeas work great.