This recipe for Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad is one of my favorite ones this time of the year.
To be honest, I am a fan of eating salad and I especially like a Cesar Style Salad such as this one.
Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad
If you enjoyed my Easiest Greek Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing recipe then you will probably like this one as well. Both recipes are for delicious salads in my opinion.
This version of a Caesar Salad is a vegan friendly one.
While the standard Caesar salad has anchovies or anchovy paste, I will offer an alternative to that.
While this recipe does not call for any kind of meat, you are welcome to add chicken or your choice as well.
I know that you may be wondering can vegan east Caesar salad.
Vegans, as well as vegetarians,should be happy to know that this recipe can be made anchovy free. Also, you have the option to not add the grated cheese or simply use a vegan cheese instead.
Not all Caesar salad dressing is vegan as well.
However, you could make your own vegan salad dressing to use in this recipe. Even better, you can find Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing (and keto, gluten free as well) online.
You also have options for topping this recipe.
While regular croutons are a popular choice, there are other options as well. I am always amazed at the great alternatives for just about any and everything sometimes.
Here are some alternatives that you can use for regular croutons.
Tips Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad
I already mentioned that you can use vegan options for this recipe. Also, I provided options for the croutons as well. You could simply omit the croutons if desired too.
Here are some more great tips for you.
- Use a blender or food processor to blend your dressing. Then add it to the recipe while well blended.
- Adding anchovies will make this recipe even more authentic.
- Spice up your dressing by adding a few drops of something unexpected such as Tabasco sauce.
- Personalize your Caesar salad by tossing in some shrimp, sliced chicken, or even some grilled salmon.
- Instead of adding croutons, vegans and everyone else can add silken tofu instead!
Obviously, this Caesar salad calls for Quinoa.
This is one of those recipes that is great for using up leftovers or pre made quinoa. I always have already made quinoa available for instances such as this one.
You can easily make your own quinoa for this recipe.
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But, there is also plenty of pre cooked and conveniently packaged quinoa available for instances such as this. I love that this is an easy and quick recipe to make!
Lastly, this salad calls for kale.
You are welcome to use any kale that you like in this recipe although, Lacinato kale is a popular choice for raw salads such as this one. Simply have the tough stems removed and make sure that your kale is clean.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- Mediterranean Green Bean Salad.
- Easiest Greek Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing.
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad
Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad
As mentioned, you can use any kale that you like in this recipe although, Lacinato kale is a popular choice for raw salads such as this one. Simply have the tough stems removed and make sure that your kale is clean.
I also mentioned options for this salad including what is listed below.
Adding anchovies will make this recipe even more authentic. Also, instead of adding croutons, you can add silken tofu instead!
Here is what you will need for this Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad
- Olive Oil - ½ cup divided. Make this more authentic by using mayonnaise instead (add up to an extra ¼ cup as needed).
- Minced Garlic - 5 cloves about 6-7 teaspoons (the amount is not scientific as cloves of garlic can vary in size).
- Lemon Zest- 1 teaspoon.
- Lemon Juice- 3 tablespoons.
- Dijon Mustard- 1 tablespoon.
- Worcestershire Sauce- 1 teaspoon.
- Optional Ingredients for the Dressing- Anchovies Fillets (3-4), Anchovy Paste (3-4 teaspoons or as needed) , grated cheese such as fresh Parmesan (4-5 tablespoons).
- Cooked Quinoa - 1 ½ cups.
- Kale- 4-6 cups, clean and with tough stems removed. I tear mine into easy to eat pieces.
- Optional salad ingredients- grated cheese such as fresh Parmesan , Whole Grain (Mediterranean Diet Friendly) Croutons ( Vegan Croutons, Low Carb Keto Croutons or silken tofu.
- Seasonings as desired.This can include Italian Seasonings, Salt, and/or Pepper.
Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad
- In a skillet on low to medium heat, saute your half of your oil and the garlic until the garlic softens, about two minutes. If you are using mayonnaise you can skip this step.
- Transfer the garlic and oil to a blender or food processor. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce. You can add the optional dressing ingredients as well. Blend or process until mixed. Then refrigerate for at least thirty minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine together the Cooked Quinoa and kale in a large bowl.
- Remove the dressing from the refrigerator and give it a quick blend or mix or shake as needed. Then pour it over the kale and quinoa in the large bowl, tossing the ingredients together. You can add additional optional ingredients such as the seasonings and cheese at this time as well.
- Serve your salad and top with croutons, tofu, or any optional meat or fish.
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
This simple and delicious recipe for Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad can be made gluten free, vegan, and friendly to the Mediterranean diet as well.
Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- Olive Oil – ½ cup divided. Make this more authentic by using mayonnaise instead add up to an extra ¼ cup as needed.
- Minced Garlic – 5 cloves about 6-7 teaspoons the amount is not scientific as cloves of garlic can vary in size.
- Lemon Zest– 1 teaspoon.
- Lemon Juice– 3 tablespoons.
- Dijon Mustard– 1 tablespoon.
- Worcestershire Sauce– 1 teaspoon.
- Optional Ingredients for the Dressing- Anchovies Fillets 3-4, Anchovy Paste (3-4 teaspoons or as needed) , grated cheese such as fresh Parmesan (4-5 tablespoons).
- Cooked Quinoa – 1 ½ cups.
- Kale- 4-6 cups clean and with tough stems removed. I tear mine into easy to eat pieces.
- Optional salad ingredients- grated cheese such as fresh Parmesan Whole Grain (Mediterranean Diet Friendly) Croutons ( Vegan Croutons, Low Carb Keto Croutons or silken tofu.
- Seasonings as desired.This can include Italian Seasonings Salt, and/or Pepper.
Instructions
- In a skillet on low to medium heat, saute your half of your oil and the garlic until the garlic softens, about two minutes. If you are using mayonnaise you can skip this step.
- Transfer the garlic and oil to a blender or food processor. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce. You can add the optional dressing ingredients as well. Blend or process until mixed. Then refrigerate for at least thirty minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine together the Cooked Quinoa and kale in a large bowl.
- Remove the dressing from the refrigerator and give it a quick blend or mix or shake as needed. Then pour it over the kale and quinoa in the large bowl, tossing the ingredients together. You can add additional optional ingredients such as the seasonings and cheese at this time as well.
- Serve your salad and top with croutons, tofu, or any optional meat or fish.
Recipe Notes
I also mentioned options for this salad including what is listed below.
Adding anchovies will make this recipe even more authentic. Also, instead of adding croutons, you can add silken tofu instead!originally posted:
January 1, 2020*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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