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Home » Recipes » Salad

Kale Superfood Power Salad (Vegan!)

Apr 22, 2024 by Kaitlin · 2 Comments

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A vibrant Kale Superfood Salad recipe that's fresh, healthy, and nourishing with immune-supporting ingredients. This plant-strong bowl will keep you satisfied and energized! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

Kale superfood power salad with avocado, beets, and garbanzo beans on a white plate with serving fork

This kale "superfood" salad is so fresh, healthy, and just makes my body feel GOOD! It's a hearty plant-strong bowl that combines so much deliciousness.

We'll mix together kale, beets, quinoa, carrots, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, onion, and avocado. Then toss it in a super simple balsamic-Dijon dressing.

It's incredibly nourishing (and satisfying) with a variety of nutrient-dense foods to help support our immune system and full-body health. Plus it's easy to customize just the way you like it!

Cooked quinoa, beets, avocado, kale, onion, carrot, and dressing ingredients laid out on a metal tray

Ingredients for Kale Superfood Salad

For this recipe you'll toss together in a large bowl:

  • Fresh kale: Use whatever variety of kale you prefer. Either lacinato kale or curly kale leaves work great. (I use one large bunch curly kale for this recipe, which is about 5-6 cups chopped.) We'll lightly massage the leaves to help tenderize them.
  • White quinoa
  • Garbanzo beans (chickpeas): Or you can swap in another bean of choice such as cannellini beans, black beans, kidney beans, etc. These add a hearty dose of plant-based protein and fiber to the salad.
  • Carrot
  • 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.
  • Avocado
  • 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: I use one fresh garlic clove in the dressing, but you can substitute with a quarter teaspoon garlic powder if desired.
  • Salt: You can also add black pepper to taste.
Pouring balsamic dressing on kale salad ingredients in a large glass bowl

Customizing

Leafy greens: You can also use a base of kale & spinach or other salad greens for more variety.

Dressing: My quick and easy balsamic dressing is included below. (It's made oil-free with no olive oil.) But change it up with your own favorite if you wish! This creamy Miso Tahini Dressing would be tasty. Or browse the archive of 20+ vegan & oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes for more inspiration.

Other additions: Include other veggies, seeds, walnuts, blueberries, olives, roasted sweet potato, broccoli, fresh herbs like parsley, or anything else that sounds good.

Overhead view of kale superfood power salad mixed together in a large glass bowl with tongs

Storing

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

Storing separately: 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 does hold up pretty well. (I like mixing it ahead of time because the dressing marinates the veggies and makes it extra flavorful!)

Close-up view of a fork piercing some kale superfood salad

For more inspiration, also browse all vegan salad recipes or kale recipes.

Kale superfood power salad with avocado, beets, and garbanzo beans on a white plate with serving fork

Kale Superfood Power Salad (Vegan!)

A vibrant power salad that's fresh, healthy, and nourishing with immune-supporting ingredients. This plant-strong bowl will keep you satisfied and energized!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 4 large bowls

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup quinoa*
  • 1 large bunch kale**
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 cup cooked beets (I use Love Beets brand)
  • 1/4 cup red onion
  • 15 oz. can garbanzo beans
  • 1 large ripe avocado
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

For the balsamic dressing:

  • 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

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.
  • Meanwhile, make the dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
  • Cut or tear kale into bite-sized pieces. (Or shred it if desired.) Place in a large bowl and gently massage.
  • Grate carrot, dice beets, and thinly slice red onion. Place in bowl with kale.
  • Rinse and drain beans. Add beans and cooked quinoa to the bowl.
  • Pour dressing over top. Toss gently with tongs (or your hands) to thoroughly combine.
  • Top with sunflower seeds and diced avocado before serving.

Notes

*Quinoa: 1/2 cup dry quinoa equals about 1.5 cups cooked.
**Kale: One large bunch equals about 5-6 cups chopped.
Serving: This salad yields a large amount, so halve or reduce if desired. If serving as a smaller side dish, it yields about 8 servings.
Dressing: Change it up with your own favorite dressing, or add an extra drizzle of balsamic if you like it extra-tangy. A creamy tahini dressing would pair nicely as well.
Recipe originally published December 2017. Updated April 2024.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Kale Superfood Power Salad (Vegan!)
Amount per Serving
Calories
371
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Potassium
 
813
mg
23
%
Carbohydrates
 
49
g
16
%
Fiber
 
13
g
54
%
Sugar
 
10
g
11
%
Protein
 
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
 
5297
IU
106
%
Vitamin C
 
33
mg
40
%
Calcium
 
147
mg
15
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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If you're enjoying this vegan Kale Superfood Power Salad recipe, also check out:

  • Kale Slaw with Creamy Dressing
  • Asian Chopped Salad
  • BBQ Chickpea Chopped Salad
  • Spaghetti Salad

Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, X (Twitter), or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Anne says

    March 25, 2022 at 4:54 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for our packed lunches for the week. Absolutely delicious and so healthy! Great recipe!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      March 25, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      Wonderful to hear, Anne!

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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