• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Run Lift Eat Repeat

  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Breakfast
      • Breads
      • Donuts
      • Eggs
      • French Toast
      • Muffins
      • Pancakes
    • Dessert
      • Brownies & Bars
      • Cakes & Pies
      • Cookies
      • Cupcakes
    • Dietary
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Dinner & Sides
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Fourth of July
      • Labor Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Thanksgiving
    • Savory
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Fish
      • Pasta
      • Soups
      • Turkey
    • Method
      • One Pan
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
  • Extra
    • Baby
  • Shop
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • RECIPES
  • SHOP MY FAVORITES
  • ABOUT ME
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Sweet Potato Apple Kale and Quinoa Salad

    This post may contain affiliate sales links. This website generates income via ads. Please see our full privacy policy for details.

    Jump to Recipe
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    This is a dish for those of us who prefer a lot of 'stuff' in our salads – we might be a minority but we're here. We're talking no lettuce at all, less greens and more extras: quinoa, sweet potatoes, walnuts, and raisins.

    Tell Me About This Sweet Potato Apple Kale and Quinoa Salad

    • Flavor: There's no other way of saying it – this salad recipe is a big bowl of flavor. The kale and quinoa create the perfect base to soak up the fresh vinaigrette, while the apples, walnuts and raisins add more layers of flavor.
    • Texture: The texture of this salad is my favorite part. The kale breaks down a bit, some added crunch from the apples and walnuts, slight chewiness from the raisins. To top it off, the quinoa adds a hearty texture.
    • Ease: This is actually a very simple dish and actually tastes even better when prepared ahead of time. Simply combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, make the dressing, and then toss them together. That's it!
    • Time: Set aside 20 minutes to pull this recipe together.
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    Choosing The Right Ingredients

    For this recipe, we're focusing on using minimal fresh ingredients for this sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad.

    • Kale: To give this salad some bulk, additional nutrients, and even more staying power, I like adding in some greens. I found that using kale adds a nice bite and holds the dressing and quinoa perfectly. Tip: After the kale is roughly chopped, massage it a bit with your hands to break it down.
    • Quinoa: Adding quinoa does a couple things – it helps soak up the flavor from the dressing and adds a ton of protein – each cup has 24 grams!
    • Sweet Potatoes: Using roasted sweet potatoes adds a nice sweetness without being too much and some texture.
    • Walnuts: Adding nuts, or even seeds, adds some crunch throughout the salad. I love using walnuts or pecans.
    • Raisins: Using raisins not only gives this salad a bit of sweetness but even more texture. You can use any type of raisins or even craisins!
    • Lemon Herb Vinaigrette: This is my favorite vinaigrette recipe – made with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dried herbs, maple syrup, and olive oil.
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    Sweet Potato Apple Kale and Quinoa Salad Variations

    Make this salad yours, add in what you love. Here's a few variations that I love to mix into the salad.

    • Avocado: The day of, I chop up 1/2 an avocado.
    • Protein: Toss in your favorite protein – chicken, sausage or even tofu. That's what is so great about this recipe, any protein works well!
    • Cucumber: For an added crunch, chop some cucumber and toss them in.
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    The Best Way To Make Quinoa

    I've shared before the best way to make quinoa and I'll share it again, I learned it from my friend over at Eating By Elaine. It's truly the best way to make it and incredibly easy – it's just 3 simple steps.

    1. Bring chicken broth to a boil.
    2. Stir in the quinoa and allow it to cook for 5 minutes.
    3. Turn off the burner, cover with a lid and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, fluff with a fork.
    Making quinoa isn’t hard. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to cook quinoa – it’s so simple and very little work involved!
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    Tips

    • When choosing sweet potatoes from the grocery store, look for firm potatoes even in color and without any growths.
    • Massage the kale! You read that right – massaging kale helps to break down its tough texture and make it more palatable.
    • Remember to roughly chop the kale that way all the ingredients in the salad are about the same size.
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    More Recipes To Try

    • Creamy White Bean Soup
    • Really Good Three Cheese Baked Ziti
    • Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
    • Baked Herb Crusted Salmon
    • Lemon Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes
    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    Sweet Potato Apple Kale and Quinoa Salad

    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    15 minutes
    Yield: 4 servings
    Print Pin

    Rate the Recipe:


    Description

    This flavorful sweet potato apple kale and quinoa salad proves that salads don't have to be bland. Loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients – it makes for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner!

    Ingredients

    Salad

    • 3 cups chopped kale
    • 2 cups cooked quinoa
    • 2 cups chicken, shredded or chopped
    • 1 cup chopped apple
    • 2 cups chopped sweet potatoes
    • 1/3 cup raisins
    • 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped

    Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

    • 1/3 cup olive oil
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 lemon, juiced
    • 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

    Instructions

    • Make the Salad: Add the kale to a large bowl, massage with your hands for a few seconds – find out why in the post above. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir together.
    • Make the Dressing: There's 3 ways you can make the dressing – do what works best for you. 1) Whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl, 2) Add the ingredients into a jar with a lid, like a mason jar, and shake together, or 3) Add the ingredients to a food processor and pulse for a few seconds.
    • Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat everything evenly. Sometimes I don’t use ALL the dressing– use the amount you like.
    • Store leftover dressing and salad in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    1. Make Ahead Instructions: This salad can be made up to 4 days in advance, with or without the dressing. Since the salad base is kale, the salad doesn't become soggy like regular lettuce. 
    2. Kale: You can substitute with fresh spinach if you prefer.
    3. Dressing: You can use any type of dressing you prefer.
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @runlifteatrepeatblog or tag #runliftandeat!
    Tagged in: kale salad, mexican quinoa salad, sweet potato apple quinoa kale salad

    More Dinner & Sides

    • These buffalo chicken sliders are an instant crowd-pleaser. Toss the ingredients together in a slow cooker and let it do 99% of the work for you! Your guests will be coming back for more— perfect for game days!
      Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders
    • The best smash burger recipe— zero exaggeration! These burgers are incredibly juicy, perfectly crispy, smothered in cheese, and topped with a hefty amount of secret sauce. Serve between a toasted brioche bun and this is truly the ultimate smash burger recipe.
      The Best Smash Burger Recipe
    • Add this cheesy rotini pasta with roasted vegetables to your dinner menu! Combined together in a pot— rotini pasta, melted cheese, rich marinara sauce, and roasted vegetables. It adds a twist to a classic pasta dish that the entire family will love!
      Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Roasted Vegetables
    • This creamy roasted red pepper pasta stands above the rest— easy to pull together and quick for busy nights. With roasting the peppers, onions and garlic, there's layers of flavor with minimal ingredients. A must-try recipe that the family will love!
      Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

    You Might Also Like...

    These slow cooker buffalo chicken sliders are an instant crowd-pleaser. Toss the ingredients together in a slow cooker and let it do 99% of the work for you! Your guests will be coming back for more— perfect for game days!

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders

    The best smash burger recipe— zero exaggeration! These burgers are incredibly juicy, perfectly crispy, smothered in cheese, and topped with a hefty amount of secret sauce. Serve between a toasted brioche bun and this is truly the ultimate smash burger recipe.

    The Best Smash Burger Recipe

    Add this cheesy rotini pasta with roasted vegetables to your dinner menu! Combined together in a pot— rotini pasta, melted cheese, rich marinara sauce, and roasted vegetables. It adds a twist to a classic pasta dish that the entire family will love!

    Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Roasted Vegetables

    Easy Peanut Butter Granola

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Rate this recipe




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Christina! I’m a cook, baker, photographer, and fitness enthusiast. I started this space to share the truth, the fails, the struggles, and the triumphs about my weight loss journey. It later turned into a way to also share healthier recipes.

    More About Christina →

    Trending Right Now

    • These easy to make cookie dough protein bites are made from just 6 basic ingredients and taste just like cookie dough. Perfect on-the-go or pre-workout snack!
      Cookie Dough Protein Bites
    • This creamy mushroom pasta recipe is an easy weeknight meal that's ready in just 30 minutes! The mushroom sauce is heavenly — it's bright, flavorful, tons of garlic and incredibly creamy.
      Creamy Mushroom Pasta
    • These gluten-free pancakes are light and fluffy, just like all pancakes should be. Load them with the add-ins of your choice!
      Gluten-Free Pancakes
    • This avocado egg toast is a simple breakfast that takes just 10 minutes. With just 5 ingredients, this breakfast will keep you full for hours!
      10-Minute Avocado Egg Toast
    • These big fat soft-baked chocolate chip cookies are thick and slightly crispy around the edges. The secret for the chewiest chocolate chip cookie texture is more brown sugar than granulated sugar, an extra egg yolk, plus a little cornstarch! No chilling required!
      Soft-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • This banana pudding pie recipe combines a crunchy cookie crust, soft and sweet vanilla pudding, thick slices of bananas, layers of Nilla Wafers, and a mountain of homemade whipped cream. Everyone who tried a slice instantly loved it.
      The Easiest Banana Pudding Pie
    • These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies have that classic homemade flavor—made with no refined sugar, hearty oats, and whole wheat flour. Your family will fall in love with this recipe.
      Healthier Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
    • When you're craving donuts but want to make them at home without all the work— these glazed donuts save the day! This glazed donut recipe is incredibly simple, 35 minutes start to finish, and are baked, not fried. Perfect for the weekend or even during the week!
      Easy Baked Glazed Donuts

    Recent Recipes

    • This homemade peanut butter granola is satisfying and delicious. Made with basic pantry ingredients— oats, cinnamon, coconut oil, honey, and maple syrup. With tons of flavor in each bite, you'll keep coming back for more!
      Easy Peanut Butter Granola
    • These garlic herb butter steak bites with potatoes are an incredibly simple meal that is flavor packed and made in one pan. Paired with a salad, this is a meal that the entire family with love!
      Garlic Herb Butter Steak Bites
    • This creamy homemade tomato soup recipe is the most comforting and cozy bowl of goodness. Paired with a grilled cheese, this rich and creamy tomato soup will be one of your go to soup recipes this season!
      Simple Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe
    • I'm certain that will love these cake batter chocolate chip cookies! Enjoy a chewy cookie with slightly crisp edges studded with white chocolate chips and festive sprinkles. These taste like a cross between chocolate chip cookies mixed with funfetti vanilla cake— truly a cookie recipe that you'll make over and over again!
      Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Meet Christina
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! to get recipes to your inbox for FREE!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    This website earns from qualifying purchases from affiliate links and generates income via ads.

    Copyright © 2023 Run Lift Eat Repeat on the Foodie Pro Theme