Superfood Power Crunch Salad

5 from 3 votes

This healthy superfood salad has the perfect crunchy texture with a homemade lemony dressing that is drizzled over crisp quinoa and kale, fresh fruit, crunchy nuts, and creamy avocado. Perfect for a healthy lunch or side dish!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan

Servings:

Calories: 442kcal

Author: Allie Petersen

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa rinsed
2 cups water or vegetable broth
2 cups kale finely chopped and massaged
1 cup fresh blueberries
½ cup shredded carrots
⅓ cup sliced almonds
1 ripe avocado diced into cubes
¼ cup dried cranberries or cherries
2 tablespoons hemp seeds

Dressing

juice of one large lemon
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoon maple syrup
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ tsp pepper

Instructions

Cook Quinoa - In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked. Remove from heat and let it cool.
1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water or vegetable broth
Prepare Dressing - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and zest, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. Set aside.
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, juice of one large lemon, 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoon maple syrup
Massage Kale: Massage the chopped kale with your hands for a few minutes until it becomes slightly wilted and tender. (This makes it much easier to digest)
2 cups kale
Assemble Salad: Add the cooked quinoa, blueberries, shredded carrots, sliced almonds, hemp seeds, dried cranberries or cherries, and avocado cubes to the bowl with the kale.
1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup shredded carrots, ⅓ cup sliced almonds, 1 ripe avocado, ¼ cup dried cranberries or cherries, 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything together gently until well combined.
Serve: Divide the salad into individual bowls or plates. Garnish with extra blueberries, sliced almonds, and a sprinkle of crumbled cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Other great additions to this salad:

- Nuts - cashews, pecans, pistachios and more

- Seeds - chia seed, flax seed, sunflower seeds, pepitas and more

- High protein toppings - edamame, chickpeas, vegan chicken, crispy tofu and more

- Fruit - strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and more!

- Cheese- crumbled feta, goat cheese, parmesan and more (If vegan, choose a dairy-free options - like ones from Follow Your Heart)

Nutrition