Anti Inflammatory Kale and Quinoa Power Salad with Turmeric Lemon Dressing
This bowl is the kind of meal that actually makes you feel good while you're eating it — vibrant, satisfying, and packed with ingredients that pull serious weight. Massaging the kale with olive oil softens it into something almost silky, making it far more pleasant to eat than raw leaves straight from the bunch. The turmeric-lemon dressing is the real star here: bright and tangy with warm depth from ginger and black pepper, which works alongside turmeric the way it's meant to. Crispy roasted chickpeas add a smoky crunch that keeps every bite interesting, while creamy avocado and pumpkin seeds round out the texture and healthy fat content. Every single ingredient in this bowl — from the extra-virgin olive oil to the raw honey to the shredded red cabbage — is chosen for both flavor and its well-documented role in a low-inflammation way of eating. It comes together in under 30 minutes of active effort and serves four, making it just as practical for a weeknight dinner as it is for meal-prepped lunches. This is the rare salad that genuinely keeps you full.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the roasted chickpeas
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 1 large bunch curly or lacinato kale (about 8 oz), stems removed, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large avocado, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup shredded red cabbage
- ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp raw honey
Ingredient noteAdded sugar is limited on an anti-inflammatory diet. This recipe contains about 1.8 g of added sugar per serving, which is likely acceptable for many following the diet. If you prefer to always avoid honey, please tap it and change its rating to Red.
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Combine the rinsed quinoa, 2 cups water, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the quinoa tails have unfurled, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and spread onto a plate to cool slightly.
- 2
While the quinoa cooks, pat the drained chickpeas very dry with paper towels. Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and toss with the cumin, smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly coated. Roast until the chickpeas are golden and crisp at the edges, 20–25 minutes, shaking the pan once halfway through.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!