Kale Quinoa Salad with Blueberries: A Bright, Protein-Packed Superfood Bowl

If you’re craving a dense salad recipe that actually fills you up, nourishes your body, and tastes amazing, this Kale Quinoa Salad with Blueberries is for you. It’s vibrant, loaded with texture, and bursting with flavor from creamy goat cheese, crunchy almonds, ripe avocado, and fresh blueberries. Perfect as a protein salad recipe for lunch, a side dish for a salad potluck, or even a light dinner.

This one’s become a staple in my meal prep rotation. And yes—even my kale-skeptic husband eats it happily.

Why You’ll Love This Kale Quinoa Salad with Blueberries

• 🌿 Packed with plant-based protein from quinoa and chickpeas
• 🍓 Naturally anti-inflammatory with blueberries and kale
• 🌟 Tossed in a bright, zippy lemon-honey Dijon dressing
• ☕ Keeps well for meal prep (just add the avocado before serving!)
• 🧵 Feels like eating a rainbow — nourishing and beautiful

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

Let’s talk ingredients. Everything in this salad is easy to find and even easier to prep. That’s what I love—real food, no fuss.

For the Salad:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 6 cups kale (1 large bunch, tough stems removed, chopped)
• 15 oz can chickpeas (optional), rinsed and drained
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped

For the Lemon-Honey Dressing:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper to taste

How to Make Kale Quinoa Salad with Blueberries

This recipe is so simple. Here’s how I like to make it.

1. Cook the Quinoa

Rinse the quinoa first—this helps remove bitterness. Then, combine it with 2 cups water in a small pot. Bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let it cool.

I usually cook my quinoa in the morning so it’s ready to go by lunch or dinner.

2. Make the Dressing & Massage the Kale

While the quinoa cools, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a large salad bowl.

Add the chopped kale straight into that bowl. Then—here’s the important part—massage the kale with your hands for 1-2 minutes.

This softens the leaves and makes them way more tender. Plus, it helps them absorb all that delicious dressing.

3. Assemble the Salad

Now the fun part: building the salad.

Toss the cooled quinoa into the bowl with the kale. Then gently fold in:

• Chickpeas (optional, but so filling)
• Fresh blueberries
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Toasted almonds
• Chopped avocado

Give it a gentle toss. Add a pinch of salt or more lemon juice if you like.

4. Serve or Store

You can serve this salad right away, or let it chill for an hour. It actually gets better as the flavors meld.

If you’re meal prepping, wait to add the avocado until just before serving.

My Personal Tips for Success

• Cool the quinoa fully before adding to the salad or it’ll wilt the kale and melt the cheese.
• Massage your kale! It makes a massive difference in taste and texture.
• Make it your own: Swap blueberries for strawberries or goat cheese for feta.
• Add extra protein: Top it with grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu for a complete meal.

Healthy, Hearty, and Kid-Friendly

I’ve served this to girlfriends at brunch and packed it in lunchboxes for the kids. It’s colorful, it’s fresh, and it makes you feel good after you eat it. That’s the kind of recipe I’m always reaching for.

You can serve it as a side, enjoy it as a light dinner, or bring it to your next potluck. It checks every box for a family-friendly recipe.

FAQs: Kale Quinoa Salad with Blueberries

Is quinoa and kale good for you?

Yes! Quinoa is a complete protein, and kale is loaded with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

What can I put in a kale quinoa salad?

Think beyond just veggies—fruits, cheeses, nuts, and proteins all work. Try grapes, roasted sweet potato, walnuts, or halloumi.

How long does this salad last?

It stays fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days. Store it in a sealed container and keep the avocado separate until serving.

Is quinoa a carb or protein?

Both! It’s a seed high in plant-based protein and complex carbs.

Can I eat kale raw?

Yes. Just massage it first to make it more tender and easier to digest.

Is this good for meal prep?

Absolutely. Make a big batch and divide into containers. Add avocado right before eating.

More Fresh Salad Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re in a salad groove like I am, try these next:

• Wholesome apple feta spinach salad – crunchy, sweet, and perfect for fall
• Fresh strawberry spinach salad with balsamic glaze – bright and fruity
• Superfood-packed blueberry cottage cheese breakfast bake – a high-protein breakfast you’ll actually look forward to

Join the Conversation!

Have you made this Kale Quinoa Salad with Blueberries yet?

Drop a comment and let me know how it turned out! Did you use chickpeas? Add chicken? Try feta? Tag @RitzyRecipes on Pinterest to show off your creation.

Final Bite

This isn’t just a salad—it’s a bowl of feel-good food. It’s easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and honestly… it just hits the spot.

Whether you’re eating clean, trying to get more greens in, or just want something pretty and satisfying on your plate—this salad is a win.

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