Home » Recipes » 5 Ingredient Healthy Kale and Quinoa Bowl
By Kara Lydon - - Updated
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A 5 ingredient healthykale and quinoa bowl that uses only five ingredients and takes less than25 minutes to make.
I’ve been working on republishing some of my favorite recipes that could use an update because let’s be real, my photography has changed just a little bit over the last few years. And it’s a fun way for me to re-test and improve existing recipes on my site. This is one of those recipes that often gets featured in quick-and-easy meal round-ups because, well, 5 ingredients.
Who doesn’t love a 5-ingredient meal? We’re all so strapped for time today given the busy lives we lead that it can help to have a few go-to recipes that take less than 30 minutes to make. This is one of those recipes. It’s a great recipe when you’re craving something light, yet flavorful.And although there’s not a whole lot to this recipe, it doesn’t compromise on flavor. I love the sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese in here because it gives the dish a boost of umami flavor and a little Italian flair as well. The quinoa is super fluffy and the slivered almonds give it a nice crunchy texture.
So what are the 5 ingredients?
Quinoa.
Kale.
Sun-dried Tomatoes.
Lemon Juice.
Olive oil.
And then of course there are a few optional toppings (like the almonds for crunch and parm cheese for umami flavor). But regardless of how many optional toppings you include, you can make it in less than 25 minutes. Score! Eat a big bowl on its own or pair it with a protein for a balanced, satisfying meal!
This bowlis packed with nutrition too – protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s vegan-friendly (if you forego the optional parm or add nutritional yeast instead) and gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
5 Ingredient Healthy Kale and Quinoa Bowl
(22 votes, average: 3.59 out of 5)
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- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 bunch kale, de-stemmed and roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 ounces sun-dried tomatoes (approx. 1 cup), diced
- Juice from 1/2 large lemon (approx 1 tablespoon)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: slivered almonds, Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to instructions on package.
- In a large saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add kale and toss to coat. Add 1/4 cup water and cover, cooking for 3-5 minutes. Uncover, toss, and turn heat down to low. Let cook for another 10-15 minutes, until tender, stirring occasionally, adding more water if needed. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add quinoa and sun-dried tomatoes to saucepan and toss to combine. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and olive oil and toss to coat. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: add toppings like slivered almonds, Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
This recipe was retested, reshot and revamped to bring you the most delicious (and most beautiful) dish! The original post was published October 2016.
Tell me, what’s your favorite 5-ingredient go-to meal?
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Check out these recipes for moresimilar dishes:
Easy 5 Ingredient Tomato Salad
Sugar Snap Pea Radish and Feta Salad
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47 Comments
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Vicki
Hello! This sounds delicious and I hope to make this week! I don’t understand about putting in the dry quinoa without cooking it though. I usually cook quinoa about 20 minutes but this recipe sounds like you just add it dry and then eat it? When does it get cooked? Thanks!
April 27, 2020
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Vicki! Let me know what you think when you make it! The first instruction is Cook quinoa according to instructions on package. So it’s one cup dry quinoa that you first cook according to the instructions on the package. Hope that helps clarify!
May 8, 2020
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David
Super easy. Super good. Forgive me as I tweaked just a bit for my own tastes after my first cook…I added a finely chopped, medium white onion after the uncovering of the Kale. I then added about 3 heaped tablespoons of maple bacon bits and 2/3 cup golden raisins with the Quinoa. Worked for me. Thanks for the great starter recipe.
April 20, 2019
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Nice! You’re welcome, David!!
July 22, 2019
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Ian
This was not as good as I imagined it would be, I was left a bit disappointed.
April 8, 2019
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Sorry to hear that, Ian! Can you describe exactly why it came up short for you?
July 22, 2019
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The sun dried tomatoes in this would really MAKE the dish in my opinion 🙂
January 28, 2019
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Totally! They give that umami BOMB!
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This one looks like so much fun. I’m a big fan of quinoa bowls and similar meals. There’s something about the style that is so appealing, especially as they’re fast and easy to prepare.
August 29, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Mandy!
November 3, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Katey! <3
November 3, 2018
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I am all about that bowl life! Quinoa is the perfect fit here with those flavors and textures. Saving this for later!
August 23, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Haha YES to the bowl life!
November 3, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Amy!
November 3, 2018
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Yum! This looks like a great lunch option I could eat again and again!
August 22, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Katie!
November 3, 2018
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Even as a dietitian, I sometimes lose my mojo for cooking. This would be a great pick-me-up recipe that is simple yet delicious!
August 17, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Oh for sure. We’re still human after all 🙂 Thanks, Jody!
November 3, 2018
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All those textures and flavors just sound amazing! And you can’t beat 5 ingredients.
August 16, 2018
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I’ve been thinking of republishing some of my old ones too because my photography was ROUGH at the beginning. This has been a good kick for me to do so 🙂 The bowl looks beautiful
August 16, 2018
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Cara
How long do you think this’ll last in the fridge?
June 27, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Hey Cara – I’d say 3-4 days.
June 29, 2018
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This sounds so delicious! I love anything with sun-dried tomatoes – and just 5 ingredients?! Yes please!
March 5, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Yes! It’s a win-win!
March 5, 2018
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Kelly
Sun dried tomatoes from a jar?
January 2, 2018
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Yep! Sun dried tomatoes from a jar or pouch work!
January 18, 2018
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Laura
1 cup cooked quinoa? Or dry?
December 3, 2016
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Erika
Same question here. Anyone know?
October 29, 2017
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
1 cup dry 🙂
October 30, 2017
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Sounds like my kind of meal! I love simple dinners like this. Just watched Cooked!
March 23, 2016
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Wasn’t Cooked the best?!
May 25, 2016
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With the nutritional yeast and the sun dried tomatoes I bet this bowl is BURSTING with flavor. Sounds absolutely amazing!
March 22, 2016
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Tara!
May 25, 2016
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kale and sundried tomatoes together sounds amazing!!!
March 21, 2016
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Dixya! They balance each other out nicely.
May 25, 2016
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It’s more than sad that we have lost our love for being in the kitchen, cooking, and the memories it makes as a society. But everyone can get cooking more! Dishes like these are perfect!
March 21, 2016
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Totally! Cooking does not have to be complicated!
May 25, 2016
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This bowl is full of all of my favorite goodies! Love the sun dried tomato addition!
March 21, 2016
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Thanks, Chelsea! Love the sweetness the sun dried tomatoes add!
May 25, 2016
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Yum! I love anything with kale and quinoa (So cliche for a healthy foodie!) so I’m definitely going to be making this!
March 21, 2016
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Haha bring on the cliche! 🙂
May 25, 2016
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Something about kale and sun-dried tomatoes…so good together! Thanks for reminding me of this flavor combo. 🙂
March 21, 2016
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Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Yes! My pleasure, Amy 🙂
May 25, 2016
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