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Bowl of pumpkin and kale salad on marble benchtop.
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Creamy Tahini, Kale & Pumpkin Salad

Hearty pumpkin, kale, quinoa, and tofu salad with a creamy tahini dressing. Perfect for meal prep—layer in jars to keep fresh for up to 3 days.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 serves
Calories 562kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 2.2 lb pumpkin peeled and cut into 1¼-inch pieces; approx. 1 kg
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided; for roasting and sautéing
  • ¼ tsp salt for seasoning pumpkin and kale; approx. 1.5g
  • ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup quinoa dry; approx. 6.3 oz / 177g
  • 2 cups vegetable broth low sodium if preferred; approx. 16 oz / 473ml
  • 1 bunch kale stems removed, leaves roughly chopped; approx. 8 oz / 225g
  • ½ red onion thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup pine nuts toasted; approx. 2½ oz / 71g
  • 16 oz extra firm tofu pressed and crumbled; approx. 450g

Tahini Dressing

  • cup tahini hulled; approx. 2¾ oz / 85g
  • 1 lemon juiced; approx. 2–3 tbsp / 30–45ml
  • 4 tbsp water adjust as needed for consistency
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp sumac optional
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp salt approx. 2g

Instructions

Make the Salad:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pumpkin pieces on the tray, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Toss to coat evenly, then spread out in a single layer. Roast for 40 minutes, or until golden and tender, flipping once halfway.
  • Rinse the quinoa under cold water if needed. Add quinoa and vegetable broth to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the broth is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside to cool.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add about ¾ of the kale and sauté for 3–5 minutes, or until wilted. Transfer to a plate.
  • Spread the remaining kale on a parchment-lined baking sheet, toss with a small drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt, and bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, or until crisp. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  • In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat.

Make the Dressing:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic powder, sumac (if using), cumin, and salt. Adjust water to reach your desired consistency.

Assemble or Layer for Meal Prep:

  • If serving immediately, toss the quinoa, sautéed kale, crumbled tofu, red onion, roasted pumpkin, and pine nuts in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and top with crispy kale.
  • For meal prep jars, divide dressing between 4 jars first. Layer the ingredients in the following order: crumbled tofu, roasted pumpkin, sautéed kale, quinoa, red onion, pine nuts, and finally crispy kale. Seal and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To serve, invert into a bowl and toss.

Nutrition

Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 1009mg | Potassium: 1594mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 24768IU | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 236mg | Iron: 8mg