Vegan, gluten-free green quinoa salad.
I love growing older.
It’s an honor, and a privilege.
Last week I turned 33.
Last week I had a crazy stomach flu for three days.
I’ll spare you the details, but my birthday was a blur spent on the couch in and out of consciousness craving ice cream and binge-watching Bravo. When all else fails, ice cream and RHONY cures all – we know this.
I definitely wasn’t craving solid food, especially greens, but after my birthday redo/party this weekend all I want to eat right now is pure veg. This green quinoa salad is my most popular salad recipe from the archives. It was originally posted in 2014, but after The Kitchn linked to it this summer, I figured I should update the old photos and the recipe. Which I did, but just ever so slightly.
A simple green quinoa salad. Which is basically massaged kale {don’t skip this massaging step!} and cooked quinoa with some aromatics. And dressed in a vegan, light and creamy basil dressing that’s powered by Silk. Thanks for supporting the brands that make it possible to bring you free, quality content each week. For updates, discounts, offers and more sign-up for Silk’s newsletter here.
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened plant-based milk {see notes}
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups kale, ribs removed + finely chopped
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup scallions, diced
- In a small blender, combine together the basil, olive oil, almond milk, apple cider vinegar,
- salt and pepper, and blend until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the kale in a large bowl. With your hands mix together, gently
- massaging the greens for 3 minutes. This massaging part is key.
- Then toss in the quinoa and scallions. Mix and season once more with more salt if need.
This post is sponsored by Silk; all opinions are my own.
Emma says
This looks so delicious! So many of my favourite things all in one bowl.
Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir says
Triple green power – my kind of salad. Love this. I’m envisioning some spring watercress in there too!
Abby says
This sounds delicious. It is on the top if my new salads to make list!
Grace says
I made this for a dinner party last night. It was delicious! So filling. Thank you for sharing.
Sarah says
This was awesome, thanks for sharing! I made 2 cups of quinoa and figured I would do something with the leftovers but loved this so much that right after dinner I made another batch for leftovers.
Amy says
I’m so glad to have discovered your blog. One of the best food blogs I’ve seen in a while! Your recipes are simple, healthy and sophisticated, and your photography is so great!
Sherrie says
This is, all-around the best compliment! Thanks so much for your kind words – you made my weekend.
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
What a gorgeous salad.
K says
Thanks so much for the recipe! I’ve made this many times, sometimes substituting different grains or greens depending on what I have on hand. It’s always great.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
So sorry to hear you were sick over your Birthday. Sounds like you did some good self care though – eating ice cream and binge watching Bravo is the perfect thing to do when sick. This salad is such a beauty. So much green goodness up in that bowl!
Libby says
Happy Birthday!
This is one of the most delicious salads I’ve ever, ever seen. :D
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
I totally agree, getting older is kind of the best and RHONY solves ALL ails :) I believe I have everything for this salad at home, so this is a perfect lunch for the week!
Em says
Still really need to be doing more with cashew milk. This sounds phenom. And hi i’m SOOOO glad you’re over the stomach flu. The strain that’s going around these parts is no joke.
Carol says
This above recipe is not the Super Green Quinoa Salad that you have previously had. Do you still have that recipe?
Sherrie says
Hi Carol – the recipe is the same, except the older recipe didn’t blend the dressing. I think this version is greatly improved. If you want to skip the blending, and add some crushing nuts, it’s relatively the same!
Kim says
Made this new version last night and added the pistachios. Although the dressing is very delicious, I don’t think it’s as tasty as the original. Totally subjective though!
Jewel says
I just made this and tossed in some toasted pistachios. Superb!
Sherrie says
Yay!