Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad Recipe

Quinoa: a small grain that cooks fluffy and adds protein and texture to the salad

Water: used to cook the quinoa

Kale: a leafy green vegetable that’s hearty and full of vitamins

Orange segments: juicy pieces of orange that add sweetness and brightness

Toasted sliced almonds: crunchy nuts that bring a nutty flavor and texture

Feta cheese: a crumbly cheese that adds a salty and creamy taste

Olive oil: a smooth oil used in the dressing for richness

Orange juice: fresh juice that adds citrus flavor to the dressing

Lemon juice: fresh juice that adds a tangy kick to the dressing

Honey: a natural sweetener to balance the citrus

Garlic: minced clove that adds a little sharpness and depth

Salt: enhances all the flavors in the salad

Black pepper: adds a mild spicy note to the dressing

One of the most important steps in this Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad Recipe is cooking the quinoa just right. Here’s how to do it so it turns out fluffy and not mushy:

1. Start by rinsing the quinoa under cold water. This helps wash away a natural coating called saponin that can make it taste bitter.
2. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Add the rinsed quinoa to the boiling water.
4. Turn the heat down to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Try not to lift the lid too much because the steam is what cooks the quinoa evenly.
5. When the water is absorbed, turn off the heat and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork. This keeps the grains separate and light.

Doing this makes the quinoa nice and fluffy, which is perfect for mixing with the kale and juicy orange segments. If the quinoa is too wet or sticky, the salad can get mushy and lose its fresh texture.

A little tip from me: the first time I made this, I didn’t rinse the quinoa and ended up with a slightly bitter taste. Rinsing really makes a difference! Also, letting the quinoa cool before adding it to the salad helps keep the kale from wilting too much. It’s a simple step but makes the salad taste fresher and crunchier.

• quinoa - Substitute with bulgur wheat: Bulgur wheat has a similar texture and can absorb flavors well, making it a good alternative to quinoa.

• water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Using vegetable broth instead of water can add more depth and flavor to the quinoa.

• kale - Substitute with spinach: Spinach is a milder green that can be used raw or lightly wilted, providing a similar nutritional profile.

• orange segments - Substitute with mandarin segments: Mandarin segments are sweeter and easier to peel, offering a similar citrus flavor.

• toasted sliced almonds - Substitute with toasted sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds provide a similar crunch and nutty flavor, making them a good alternative to almonds.

• crumbled feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a suitable replacement for feta.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and similar health benefits, making it a good alternative to olive oil.

• freshly squeezed orange juice - Substitute with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice provides a similar citrusy tang with a slightly more bitter note.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidic brightness and can be used interchangeably with lemon juice.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and can be used as a natural sweetener in dressings.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, offering a similar flavor with a longer shelf life.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar salty flavor along with a bit of umami, enhancing the overall taste.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor, making it a good alternative to black pepper.

• To store your Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad in the refrigerator, transfer it to an airtight container. This will keep the salad fresh and prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from other foods.
• For optimal freshness, store the dressing separately in a small jar or container. This prevents the kale from becoming soggy and ensures that the flavors remain vibrant.
• When ready to serve, simply toss the salad with the dressing to combine. This will give you that freshly made taste every time.
• If you plan to enjoy the salad over a couple of days, consider adding the orange segments and toasted sliced almonds just before serving. This will keep the oranges juicy and the almonds crunchy.
• To freeze the salad, first ensure that it is completely cool. Place the quinoa and kale mixture in a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag. Leave out the feta cheese, orange segments, and almonds as they do not freeze well.
• Label the container with the date and contents to keep track of its freshness. The salad can be frozen for up to 1 month.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the salad in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, add the feta cheese, orange segments, and toasted sliced almonds.
• For the best texture and flavor, give the salad a quick toss with the dressing after it has thawed. This will help to refresh the ingredients and bring the salad back to life.
• If you notice any excess moisture after thawing, simply drain it off before adding the dressing and other fresh ingredients. This will ensure that your Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad remains crisp and delicious.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Add the Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad to the skillet and stir occasionally.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes until the quinoa is warmed through and the kale is slightly wilted.
  5. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting twist on the salad.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Stir the salad and check the temperature. If needed, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
  5. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad evenly on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil to prevent the salad from drying out.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the quinoa and kale are heated through.
  5. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Fill a pot with a small amount of water and bring it to a simmer.
  2. Place the Citrus Kale Quinoa Salad in a heatproof bowl that fits snugly over the pot without touching the water.
  3. Cover the bowl with a lid or aluminum foil.
  4. Steam for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the salad is warmed through.
  5. Carefully remove the bowl from the pot and serve immediately.

• Saucepan: Use this to cook the quinoa by bringing water to a boil and then simmering it until the water is absorbed.

• Fork: Fluff the cooked quinoa with this to separate the grains and let it cool.

• Small bowl: Whisk together the dressing ingredients in this.

• Whisk: Use this to mix the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, garlic, salt, and black pepper into a smooth dressing.

• Large mixing bowl: Combine the cooked quinoa, kale, orange segments, sliced almonds, and feta cheese in this.

• Knife: Chop the kale and segment the oranges with this.

• Cutting board: Use this as a surface to chop the kale and segment the oranges.

• Measuring cups: Measure out the quinoa, water, orange segments, and other ingredients with these.

• Measuring spoons: Measure out the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper with these.

• Garlic press: Mince the garlic clove with this for the dressing.

• Serving spoon: Toss the salad and serve it with this.

Pre-cook the quinoa: Cook the quinoa in advance and store it in the fridge. This will save you time when assembling the salad.

Use pre-washed kale: Buy pre-washed and pre-chopped kale to cut down on prep time.

Segment oranges ahead: Prepare the orange segments in advance and store them in an airtight container.

Toast almonds in bulk: Toast a large batch of sliced almonds and store them in an airtight container for future use.

Make dressing in advance: Whisk together the dressing ingredients and store it in the fridge. This allows the flavors to meld and saves time.