Kale Harvest Grain Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant bowl with massaged kale, roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas in tangy maple-mustard dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains & Greens

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 1 large bunch kale, approximately 6 cups, stems removed, leaves finely chopped

→ Roasted Vegetables

03 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fresh Toppings

07 - 1 medium apple, cored and diced
08 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
09 - 1/4 cup pepitas

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
02 - While potatoes roast, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until water is fully absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Place chopped kale in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and a pinch of salt, then massage kale with your hands for 1-2 minutes until softened and darkened in color.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until fully emulsified.
05 - Divide massaged kale equally among four serving bowls. Top each portion with equal amounts of cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, diced apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas.
06 - Drizzle vinaigrette over each bowl immediately before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can actually make it on a weeknight without stress.
  • Every bite has something different going on—textures and flavors that keep you interested instead of bored.
  • The dressing is tangy enough to make raw kale actually enjoyable, even if you've never been a fan before.
02 -
  • Kale doesn't soften properly without that massaging step, no matter how good your dressing is—it's not optional, it's transformative.
  • Making the dressing five minutes before serving is better than making it hours ahead; it stays emulsified and tastes fresher.
03 -
  • If you want to add protein without changing the bowl's character, grilled tofu or chickpeas blend in seamlessly while keeping everything vegetarian.
  • The secret to a dressing that actually coats everything instead of pooling at the bottom is whisking long enough that the oil and vinegar actually bond—it takes longer than you think.
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