• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Thai Caliente logo

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Life
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Life
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Life
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Meal Prep Kale and Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing

    Meal Prep Kale and Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing

    Published Nov 4, 2019 · Modified Feb 15, 2022 by Renee · Leave a Comment · This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    148 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe

    A Hearty and Healthy Salad of Kale, Quinoa, Carrots, and a creamy Peanut Dressing that's very addicting.

    Landscape view of finished salad in a white bowl with a gold fork.

    'Meal Prep' has various meanings for people, but to me it means taking a few extra minutes when making a meal, double it up, and having it ready to eat in containers that are easy to grab and go. And that's exactly what this Kale and Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing is!

    Jump to:
    • The secret to a good kale salad
    • How long can the salad be stored?
    • Kale and Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing Recipe
    Layered Kale salad in a mason jar.

    The secret to a good kale salad

    The secret to any type of salad involving kale is....

    Massaging the kale!!

    Yes, you need to massage the kale leaves to make them soft, and breakdown the fibers. It also makes the kale less bitter when eating it raw. I love using kale in salads because it holds up well to dressing and even after massaging it, it won't get mushy like other greens or lettuce.

    Finished salad in a white bowl with a gold fork.

    How long can the salad be stored?

    I tested this Kale and Quinoa salad 2 different ways, 1 with the dressing mixed in and the other with the dressing on the bottom.

    Dressing mixed in: 1-2 days, then it starts to get soggy.

    Dressing on the bottom: 3 days, but when you eat the salad you'll have to mix it well with the kale.

    Dressing on the side: You can keep the salad stored in mason jars for 5 days, then mix the peanut dressing when you are ready to eat.

    Mason jar filled with Kale and Quinoa Salad.

    I also added some shredded carrot to the salad for some color and crunch. You can add other crunchy veggies like purple cabbage, shaved brussels sprouts, or chopped raw broccoli.

    The Kale and Quinoa salad is good on its own, but even better with some grilled chicken, steak, or fish. Also give a good squeeze of lime for brightness and top with crushed peanuts.

    You'll also want to make a double batch of the peanut dressing, because it's so good and addicting! It's perfect with these Chicken Lettuce wraps. Or as a dip/sauce for veggies, any kind of protein, or for Fresh Spring Rolls.

    Finished salad in a white bowl with a gold fork.

    Kale and Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing Recipe

    Renee Fuentes
    This hearty salad is perfect for meal-prep during busy weeks for a healthy on the go lunch.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Servings 4

    Ingredients
      

    Salad

    • 8 Cups Kale Leaves washed and rinsed well
    • 1 Carrot Shredded
    • 1 Cup Cooked Quinoa
    • Sprinkle of Salt
    • Crushed Peanuts to top Salad
    • Lime Wedges To squeeze on salad before eating.

    Peanut Dressing

    • ½ Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
    • 2 tablespoon Honey
    • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar Can substitute White or Apple Cider
    • 1-2 teaspoon Fish Sauce Start with 1 then add more if needed
    • ½ teaspoon Sesame Oil
    • 1 tablespoon Sriracha or Hot Sauce
    • Water Add a teaspoon at a time to thin out the dressing or until desired consistency is reached.

    Instructions
     

    • Mix all ingredients for Peanut dressing with a whisk or fork, Add splashes of water while mixing to thin it out until desired consistency is reached. The dressing can be stored in an air tight container up to one week.
    • Wash and Rinse Kale leaves, once dried, massage leaves with hands till leaves get soft and wilted. This is an important step!
    • Get one carrot and make julienne shreds. Add Cooked Quinoa and a sprinkle of salt, Mix well.
    • Store in mason jars without dressing or with dressing. See notes Below on storage.
      Give a squeeze of lime over the salad before eating and top with crushed peanuts.

    Video

    Notes

    • Dressing mixed in: 1-2 days, then it starts to get soggy.
    • Dressing on the bottom: 3 days, but when you eat the salad you'll have to mix it well with the kale.
    • Dressing on the side: You can keep the salad stored in mason jars for 5 days, then mix the peanut dressing when you are ready to eat.
    Add a protein like Salmon, Grilled Chicken, or Steak.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 355kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 16gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 331mgPotassium: 1005mgFiber: 4gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 15937IUVitamin C: 162mgCalcium: 229mgIron: 3mg

    Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and depends on ingredients and amounts used. Thai Caliente makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Keyword Kale Quinoa Salad, meal prep salad, peanut dressing
    Tried this recipe?CLICK HERE To Tell Us!

    « Smoked Sausage Quiche Cups
    Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Blender Muffins »
    148 shares
    • Facebook

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Headshot

    Hi! I'm Renee Fuentes.

    Welcome to Thai Caliente where I share Thai Recipes, Mexican Recipes, and Easy Recipes for busy families like myself. Take a look around and try cooking something new! About Me

    Watch My YouTube Videos Here!

    Footer

    Search for a Recipe

    Privacy Policy
    © 2022 ThaiCaliente

    148 shares