Salad Meal Prep Ideas – Protein-Packed Kale Quinoa Salad
A fresh, colorful power salad made with kale, quinoa, veggies, and a zesty lemon dressing. Packed with protein, fiber, and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed, sliced
- ¾ cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 ½ cups water (for quinoa)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 carrot, shredded
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed (optional)
- ¼ cup feta cheese (optional)
- 2–3 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds or almonds
- 2 tbsp dried cranberries (optional)
Dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook quinoa with water, then cool.
- Massage kale with olive oil and salt until tender.
- Chop vegetables and prepare other add-ins.
- Whisk dressing ingredients in a bowl or shake in a jar.
- Combine kale, quinoa, veggies, chickpeas, feta, and seeds.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
- Chill or serve immediately.
Notes
Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. Customize with different grains, veggies, or proteins. Great for meal prep.