Kale Superfood Power Salad

A healthy, vegan kale "superfood" power salad with immune-supporting ingredients! Filled with plant-based nourishment to help keep you satisfied yet energized. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

This healthy kale "superfood" salad is so fresh and delicious with great texture.

It is full of nutrient-dense foods to help support your immune system.

Let's quickly talk about the health benefits of kale in particular. Kale and other cruciferous vegetables (like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage) are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Kale is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and calcium.

It is also rich in powerful antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These are carotenoids that help protect the lens of the eye and promote eye health.

Ingredients for Kale Superfood Salad

For this recipe you will toss together in a large bowl:

• Kale: Use whatever types of kale you'd prefer. Either lacinato kale or curly kale leaves will work.
• Carrot
• Garbanzo beans (chickpeas): Or other bean of choice such as cannellini beans, black beans, kidney beans, etc. These add lots of plant-based protein and fiber to the salad.
• Cooked beets: For convenience, I use pre-cooked packaged organic beets from the brand "Love Beets". However feel free to roast or cook your own if desired.
• Red onion: Or substitute green onion for a milder onion taste.
• White quinoa: Oftentimes I will cook this ahead of time so it's ready to go. For more flavor, you can use vegetable broth instead of water to cook quinoa.
• Sunflower seeds: Or stir in pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, etc.
• Balsamic vinegar: I like the flavor of balsamic in this salad, but you can also use red wine vinegar if you'd like.
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic cloves

Customizing

Leafy greens: You can also use a base of kale + spinach or other salad greens.

Dressing: My quick and easy balsamic dressing is included below. (It is made oil-free with no olive oil.) But change it up with your own favorite if you wish!

Avocado: This is great topped with fresh diced avocado right before serving.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. We enjoy within 2-3 days.

You can also store the dressing and salad separately. Then simply toss together when ready to serve. This helps keep it fresh and crisp.

Otherwise, the kale holds up pretty well. I like mixing it ahead of time because the dressing marinates the veggies and makes it extra-flavorful.

For more inspiration, also browse all gluten-free recipes.

Kale Superfood Power Salad

A healthy kale salad with immune-supporting ingredients. Filled with a wide variety of plant-based nourishment, and tossed with a simple balsamic dressing.

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan

Servings: 4 large bowls

US CustomaryMetric

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch kale (curly or lacinato)
• 1 medium carrot
• 15 oz. can garbanzo beans
• 1 cup cooked beets (I use Love Beets organic cooked beets)
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 1/2 cup quinoa (or about 1 cup cooked)
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• Other additions: avocado, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts

For the balsamic dressing:

• 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• Salt to taste

Instructions

• Rinse and cook quinoa: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup quinoa with 3/4 cup water (or vegetable broth for more flavor). Bring to a light boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid has absorbed.
• Make dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• Tear kale into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl and gently massage.
• Thinly slice red onion, dice beets, and grate carrot. Place in bowl with kale.
• Rinse and drain beans. Add beans and cooked quinoa to bowl.
• Pour dressing over top and toss gently to thoroughly combine.
• Top with sunflower seeds (and/or hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, avocado, etc.)

Notes

If serving as a small side dish, this can yield about 6-8 servings.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts

Kale Superfood Power Salad

Amount per Serving

Calories

266

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

8

g

12

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Potassium

 

526

mg

15

%

Carbohydrates

 

41

g

14

%

Fiber

 

9

g

38

%

Sugar

 

11

g

12

%

Protein

 

11

g

22

%

Vitamin A

 

4024

IU

80

%

Vitamin C

 

21

mg

25

%

Calcium

 

93

mg

9

%

Iron

 

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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If you are enjoying this vegan Kale Superfood Power Salad recipe, also feel free to check out:

• Asian Style Chopped Salad
• BBQ Chickpea Chopped Salad
• Super Immunity Power Salad with Chia Seed Dressing

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