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    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian » Kale Quinoa Salad With Dried Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

    Kale Quinoa Salad With Dried Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

    Updated: Jun 11, 2023 by Veronica Noone · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    quinoa kale pin

    I’m learning when you buy a 2 lb bag of kale, you have to figure out how to eat 2 lbs of kale!

    I’ve already .

    Put it in eggs, made chips, a cheeseseak and tonight I’m making a fried rice with it and some leftover pork.

    Yesterday, I took a chance and cooked it with some quinoa to make a salad for lunch and can't believe how yummy it came out. The combo of cooked kale (which can be a little too earthy for me) was complemented perfectly by the sweet cranberries and salty sunflower seeds. Adding the quinoa made it a meal and added great texture. I will be making this again!

    Here’s what I did...

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup uncooked quinoa (42g)
    • ½ cup water
    • 50g raw kale, chopped finely
    • 15g roasted sunflower kernels
    • 15g dried cranberries
    • ~1 teaspoon packed fresh thyme
    • Kosher salt

    Instructions

    Put the quinoa and ½ cup water in a small pot. Top with the kale.

    Place the pot over high heat until the water boils. You’ll notice small bubbles on the sides in just a few minutes. Cover without stirring the kale in, and lower to a simmer.

    After 10 minutes, uncover and toss everything. There should still be a little water remaining and the kale will have wilted.

    Re-cover and continue to simmer for 5 more minutes while you gather the remaining ingredients.

    Uncover the quinoa and kale again. Give it a good stir, raise the temperature of the burner to high, and cook uncovered until any remaining water cooks off, maybe 30 seconds.

    Pour the quinoa-kale combo over the rest of the ingredients and toss together with a little kosher salt.

    Pile on a plate and enjoy!

    I ate half of it right away but put the plate in the fridge on my way out the door to run an errand. When I got back I pulled it out and tried it cold.

    It was just as good, if not better!

    I really enjoyed this one and I’m proud of myself for coming up with a fun way to get two foods in me that I know I should be eating more of: quinoa and kale.

    📖 Recipe

    quinoa kale featured

    Kale Quinoa Salad With Dried Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

    For a quick and healthy meal, try this kale quinoa salad with dried cranberries and sunflower seeds. It's easy to make and will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 6 minutes mins
    Cook Time 16 minutes mins
    Total Time 22 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 people
    Calories 311 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup uncooked quinoa 42g
    • ½ cup water
    • 50 g raw kale chopped finely
    • 15 g roasted sunflower kernels
    • 15 g dried cranberries
    • ~1 teaspoon packed fresh thyme
    • Kosher salt

    Instructions
     

    • Put the quinoa and ½ cup water in a small pot. Top with the kale.
      ¼ cup uncooked quinoa, ½ cup water, 50 g raw kale
    • Place the pot over high heat until the water boils. You’ll notice small bubbles on the sides in just a few minutes. Cover without stirring the kale in, and lower to a simmer.
    • After 10 minutes, uncover and toss everything. There should still be a little water remaining and the kale will have wilted.
    • Re-cover and continue to simmer for 5 more minutes while you gather the remaining ingredients.
    • Uncover the quinoa and kale again. Give it a good stir, raise the temperature of the burner to high, and cook uncovered until any remaining water cooks off, maybe 30 seconds.
    • Pour the quinoa-kale combo over the rest of the ingredients and toss together with a little kosher salt.
      15 g roasted sunflower kernels, 15 g dried cranberries, Kosher salt, ~1 teaspoon packed fresh thyme
    • Pile on a plate and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 11gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gSodium: 145mgPotassium: 505mgFiber: 8gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 5097IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 173mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword Cranberry, Kale, Quinoa, Sunflower
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    1. Heather Bollman

      February 04, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      Made this for my lunch today and it was yummy! I was very pleased and surprised. Made it just for myself as no one else would eat it in my house.

      Reply
    2. Allison

      January 19, 2014 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks, Roni.

      I was using your website a lot a few years ago when I was really * motivated + determined * on my weight watchers journey. Trying to get back on track.... one meal at a time. I may check out your blog to lose site..... I need to get inspired!

      P.S. You're great 😉

      Reply
    3. Allison

      January 19, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      I don't have a scale... 50g of kale... how much should i be using if I am ball-parking' it? 😉

      Reply
      • roni

        January 19, 2014 at 7:28 pm

        really you can use as much or as little as you want. I just weight it out so I can share nutritional info. That's being said, I'd say 2 large stalks. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Erin K

      June 28, 2013 at 7:28 am

      Delicious, simple and comes together quickly. Also very filling. Amounts of ingredients don't really matter, just do it all to your taste.

      Reply
    5. katie

      June 01, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      I love your recipes! Can u Pls convert grams into ounces for me. And how many does this serve? Thanks

      Reply
      • roni

        June 04, 2013 at 9:51 am

        Hi Katie! 15g is about a half an ounce. I just weigh everything. This serves 1.

        Reply
    6. Jody - Fit at 55

      May 25, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      That looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Reply
    7. Lonnie Thaler

      May 25, 2013 at 9:49 am

      Hi Roni,

      This is a very interesting recipe. I love quinoa and kale! I think my husband and kids will like it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. 😀

      Reply

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