• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Privacy Policy
  • Web Stories
  • Blogging Resources
  • Carrie's Kitchen
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Carrie's Kitchen

Carrie's Kitchen

Fast and Fuss Free Recipes

  • Home
  • Easy Dinners
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Salads & Sides
  • Street Food & Fakeaway
  • Comfort Food
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Fuss Free Entertaining
  • Snacks and Lunch
  • Drinks
Home » Salads & Sides » Kale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and Quinoa

Kale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and Quinoa

Easy Dinners, Fuss Free Entertaining, Salads & Sides First Published: January 4, 2021 | Last Updated: January 19, 2021

Pin338
Share
Tweet
Share
Yum1
339 Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Winter Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Apple and Quinoa is a delicious dish filled with goodness. Dressed with a lemon & thyme vinaigrette, this is a treat served alone or with your favourite grilled protein.

Close up of a salad made with kale, pomegranate, apple, red onion and quinoa.

Healthy Winter Kale Salad

Hands up who else feels the need to eat more greens after the festive season is over?! I don’t follow any specific diets but every January I like to take the time to reassess and really think about what I’m putting in to my body. I’m not doing Veganuary but I am definitely making an effort to eat less meat, eat more (and a bigger variety) of fruits and vegetables and cut down on food waste this year.

This delicious vegan salad is filled with goodness – Cavolo Nero (black kale), pomegranate and apple are not only delicious but are filled with nutrients. It may sound odd to pair kale with fruits but they all come together beautifully. Especially when dressed with this simple lemon & thyme vinaigrette.

Perfect Quinoa for Salad

Quinoa is an excellent addition to any salad. Not only is it a great source of plant-based protein but it is also high in anti-oxidants, fibre and iron.

I will admit, it took me a while to work out the best way to cook quinoa without it getting mushy. Now I follow this recipe for perfect fluffy Quinoa every time.

Close up of a salad made with kale, pomegranate, apple, red onion and quinoa.

Lemon and Thyme Vinaigrette

This kale, pomegranate and quinoa salad is dressed perfectly with a simple lemon and thyme vinaigrette. It’s best to use fresh garlic and thyme for this recipe, but you can substitute dried thyme in a pinch, just reduce the quantity to 1 teaspoon.

Tips for the Perfect Kale Salad

  • Remove and discard the stalks from the kale leaves. They are edible, but are tough and honestly not very pleasant to eat.
  • Massage the kale before adding to the salad. Drizzle with a little oil (I typically use olive oil, but avocado or high quality rapeseed oil are great substitutes) and massage the kale leaves gently with clean hands for 2-3 minutes.
  • Allow your cooked quinoa to cool before mixing it with the salad. If it’s still boiling hot it will wilt and soften the other ingredients very quickly. Cooked quinoa can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Dress the salad with the lemon thyme vinaigrette a few tablespoons at a time. You may find you do not need to use all of the dressing.
Bowl of kale and pomegranate salad with apple and quinoa.

Kale and Pomegranate Salad FAQ

Can this Kale Salad be made ahead?

Yes – if you are making ahead it is best to dress the salad, as the lemon from the vinaigrette will help to stop the apples from browning. This salad can be kept refrigerated for up to 2 days.

What kind of apple should I use?

I love Jazz apples for this recipe, but any crisp variety with a sweet-sharp flavour will be great. Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady are all ideal.

What is Cavolo Nero?

Cavolo Nero is a type of kale, also called Black, Tuscan, Dinosaur or Lacinato Kale. It has dark green leaves and a mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavour.

Can I use Curly Kale?

You can yes, but curly kale has a more bitter flavour and needs to be massaged a bit longer than Cavolo Nero when using in salads.

Can I use Baby Kale?

Yes, but you don’t need to massage it first. Baby kale won’t hold up as long when dressed, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you are preparing this salad ahead of time.

How many serving does this recipe make?

This will easily serve 2 as a main dish. As a side dish, it will serve 4-6.

How to serve this Kale and Pomegranate Salad?

I love this dish alone as a healthy lunch (it travels very well so perfect for taking to work!) or alongside some grilled chicken or fish for dinner.

Can I swap out the quinoa?

Yes – you could leave it out entirely for a healthy side-salad, or substitute cooked wild or brown rice, whole chickpeas, bulgar or cous-cous.

Bowl of kale and pomegranate salad with a lemon thyme vinaigrette. Shown in a white bowl on a woven mat with a wooden serving spoon.

I hope you like this recipe as much as I do! Please leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @carrieskitchen_ if you make it!

Looking for more great salad recipes? Try one of these:

  • Easy No-Mayo Tuna Salad
  • Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing with Chopped Salad
  • The BEST Chopped Salad
  • Tabbouleh Style Bulgur Salad

Kale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and Quinoa

Carrie Carvalho
This Winter Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Apple and Quinoa is a delicious dish filled with goodness. Dressed with a lemon & thyme vinaigrette, this is a treat served alone or with your favourite grilled protein.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 331 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 360 grams cooked quinoa
  • 200 grams Cavolo Nero or Lacinato Kale Also Tuscan or Black Kale
  • 1 red onion diced
  • 80 grams pomegranate arils
  • 1 crisp, sweet apple I like Jazz, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Golden Delicious
  • 1 tsp olive oil for massaging the kale

Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette

  • 60 ml olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves roughly chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp fresh black pepper

Instructions
 

  • To make the Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette, add all the ingredients to a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until throughly combined.
  • Wash the kale then remove the tough stalks and ribs and shred the leaves to roughly 1-inch pieces. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and massage the kale gently between your fingers for 2-3 minutes.
  • Cut the apple into bite-sized pieces and add to the kale. I leave the skin on but you can peel if you prefer.
  • Add the onion, pomegranate and quinoa to the salad and mix well to combine.
  • Drizzle over the vinaigrette a little at a time, mixing well in between (you may not wish to use all of the dressing). Feel free to add extra salt and/or pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 7gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 174mgPotassium: 557mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 5103IUVitamin C: 73mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Kale Salad, pomegranate, Quinoa
Did you try this recipe?Follow me on instagram and tag me @carrieskitchen_
Cook Blog Share

I have linked this post to CookBlogShare

Kale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and QuinoaKale and Pomegranate Salad with Apple and Quinoa
Pin338
Share
Tweet
Share
Yum1
339 Shares

8 Comments

Previous Post: « Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Carbonara
Next Post: Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Herby Breadcrumbs | Vegan, Dairy Free »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Corina Blum says

    January 23, 2021 at 6:37 am

    5 stars
    This salad looks deliciously healthy and I love all the different textures in it. I’d love a bit bowlful for lunch!

    Reply
    • Carrie Carvalho says

      January 25, 2021 at 11:15 pm

      Thank you! It makes such a great lunch!

      Reply
  2. Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says

    January 24, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    5 stars
    This is right up The Peas street! They would love something like this in their packed lunches! What a beautiful salad & great flavour combination too!

    Reply
    • Carrie Carvalho says

      January 25, 2021 at 11:16 pm

      Thank you! It would be so great for packed lunches!

      Reply
  3. Marita says

    January 25, 2021 at 10:38 am

    5 stars
    YUM, I just bought a bag of kale for another recipe, and it will be far too much. I will try your recipe with the leftovers. I love pairing salad with pomegranate. Great Recipe.

    Reply
    • Carrie Carvalho says

      January 25, 2021 at 11:17 pm

      Thank you! Pomegranates make everything better I think!

      Reply
  4. Sisley White says

    January 26, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    5 stars
    This seems so fresh and utterly delicious. I wish I could pull it out from the screen. A taste of warmer days to inspire us through winter.

    Thank you for linking up to #CookBlogShare x

    Reply
    • Carrie Carvalho says

      January 26, 2021 at 11:03 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

NEVER MISS A POST

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Search by Category

MOST POPULAR

Amaretto Orange Margaritas – A Festive CocktailAmaretto Orange Margaritas – A Festive Cocktail
Easy Eggs Benedict with Quick HollandaiseEasy Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise
Chilli Prawn Linguine with Tomatoes and White WineChilli Prawn Linguine with Tomatoes and White Wine
Greek Chicken Tray Bake with Potato and VegetablesGreek Chicken Tray Bake with Potato and Vegetables
Flamenco Eggs | Spanish Style Baked Eggs with ChorizoFlamenco Eggs | Spanish Style Baked Eggs with Chorizo
Carrie's Kitchen

Never miss a recipe

Subscribe below

Privacy Policy

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Categories

  • Recipe Index
  • Disclosure Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Thyme Theme by Restored 316

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT