Kale Harvest Grain Bowl (Printable Version)

Nutrient-packed bowl with kale, quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas in tangy dressing.

# What You 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 (pumpkin seeds)

→ 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 on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with a small splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt, then massage kale with your hands for 1–2 minutes until softened and dark green.
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 well combined.
05 - Divide massaged kale among four bowls. Top each with equal portions of quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, diced apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas.
06 - Drizzle dressing over each bowl just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes even better the next day when all the flavors get cozy with each other.
  • You can prep most of it ahead and feel genuinely smug about having lunch ready.
  • The combination of warm roasted potatoes and crisp pomegranate seeds creates this unexpected textural magic.
02 -
  • Don't skip the kale massage—it genuinely transforms the texture from tough to tender and makes the whole bowl more pleasant to eat.
  • The sweet potatoes must be roasted at 400°F and stirred halfway through, or some pieces stay raw while others burn; I learned this by having both happen in the same batch.
03 -
  • Toast the pepitas in a dry skillet for a minute or two before adding them—it intensifies their flavor and makes them crunchier.
  • If you want extra protein, grilled chicken, roasted chickpeas, or crumbled tofu all pair beautifully without overwhelming the other flavors.
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