Gluten Free California Quinoa Salad Collard Wraps with Edamame Pesto. A delicious vegan California Quinoa Salad all wrapped up in healthy greens. The pesto adds a punch of plant based protein which makes this a nutritious power lunch or picnic lunch!
Oh hey there May! You are secretly my favorite month. After April showers comes May flowers, right? Where did I first hear that saying? Sheesh… I’m old school. But really, May is lovely. It’s filled with so much GREEN and all things SALAD! Like this .. ahem… quinoa salad.
No really, May feels refreshing and I feel like we’re in a groove with this whole 9-5 job thing. Ya’ll, my husband is a stud and totally working his butt off with his new job. I couldn’t be prouder. Enter gushy wife syndrome…. *hugs, kisses, smiles, mwah!*
Yes, this groove is good. It’s a whole new life plan for us crazy Cotters! And my sherpa wife skills have returned. I secretly missed being one too even if it means a 5:30 am wake up call. I get the Coffee made and lunch packed. The kiwi swims or coaches swimming before work and sometimes after. Days are long but also very rewarding. Those longer days need some serious nutritious fueling. Fuel that is not too “heavy” that it makes you sleepy come 4pm. Working warriors, can you relate? I can see you nodding your head. YES!
We need the Quinoa Salad POWER LUNCH SPECIAL!
One of my new favorite Power lunch meals I’ve been making (for us both) are these California Quinoa Salad Collard Wraps with edamame pesto. It’s super light in texture but filling and packed with plant based protein.
It’s protein packed because ONE –> That little edamame bean can pack so much. And it makes an EPIC plant power pesto.
And TWO —-> Quinoa is a gluten free “pseudo” grain PACKED full of plant based COMPLETE protein and rich in Iron. Meaning, it has all the essential amino acids your body needs, and from a plant!
Heck to the YEA! Not sure if you knew, but I adore quinoa salad for this very reason. It’s such a powerhouse meal for our nutritional needs.
That being said, I’ve turned this powerhouse meal into a copycat meal. You know that amazingly addiction California Quinoa Salad from the Whole Foods Hot bar? Well, that’s what I’m copying. But I’m going to save you some money today cause this homemade one is just as delicious but more nutritious.
The collard wraps make this California quinoa Salad way more portable and won’t leave you with a soggy mess come lunch time.
The edamame Pesto pumps up the protein and fiber even more without having to add any extra meat, allow you are totally allowed to meat. Carnivores and Vegans can all get along, right?
But let’s focus on the plant today being that is it meatless Monday! And being that you now know my whole thought process behind this vegan meal. It’s like a marriage of flavors and protein to boot! Plus it’s EASY to make, great for meal prep, and allergy friendly!
Did I mention it’s a quinoa salad you can eat without a fork? That my friends, is magical.
Let’s power up and eat already! Mmm k?
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California Quinoa Salad Collard Wraps with Edamame Pesto {Vegan, Gluten Free}
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5 - 6 1x
Description
California Quinoa Salad Collard Wraps with Edamame Pesto {Vegan, Gluten Free}
Ingredients
FOR the EDAMAME PESTO::
- 1 ½ cup shelled edamame soybeans (cooked and cooled)
- 1 garlic clove
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 3–4 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
- Optional 1– 2 tablespoon chopped herbs (chive, basil, or cilantro)
- dash of sea salt and pepper
- optional pinch of red pepper flakes to blend in.
FOR the CALIFORNIA QUINOA SALAD::
- 2 to 2 ½ cup cooked quinoa (about ⅔ uncooked)
- ½ c chopped red onion
- 1 roma tomato (diced)
- ½ to ⅔ cup diced mango (peeled)
- ½ chopped red or orange bell pepper
- 4 tbsp chopped cilantro
- ⅓ dried cranberries or raisins
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds (raw or roasted)
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 4–5 large collard green leaves
Instructions
- First make your pesto.
- Deshell your edamame pods. Then simply combine your edamame, seeds, garlic, in a food processor. Blend then add in your oil, lemon, and salt/pepper. Blend again until thick pesto is formed. Scoop into a bowl and set aside or cover and store in fridge for later. Makes around 1 cup
For the CALIFORNIA QUINOA SALAD.
- Make sure you have your quinoa cooked first. This is great use of leftover quinoa as well. See notes for how to cook quinoa.
- Dice/chop all your veggies and peeled mango.. Combine them in a large bowl with the quinoa. Add your seeds, cranberries, and cilantro and toss all together. Add in your red wine vinegar and sea salt/pepper and toss again.
- Next trim your collard green leaves so that the stem is cut off just leaving the whole leaf. Rinse each leaf then dry and place in between a paper towel. Keep them in a paper towel and place in microwave for 10 seconds or so to lightly steam and soften.
- Remove and lay flat on cutting board or plate.
- Next scoop 2-4 tablespoon of pesto onto each wrap then ¼ to ⅓ cup of the quinoa salad. Roll up tightly.
- Repeat until your quinoa and pesto are all used up or store the rest for later.
Notes
You can use previously frozen mango to save time.
If you need to cook quinoa before hand then First rinse your quinoa. Add 1 cup quinoa, ¼ teaspoon salt, and you need about 2 cups liquid. Bring liquid to a boil with quinoa, then reduce heat to medium low and cover for 20 minutes or until fluffy. Set aside. This will make around 3 cups cooked so you will have extra after making the quinoa salad.
QUICK TIP – Make the quinoa ahead and ever EASIER by using a rice cooker. It’s so nice to just push one setting and leave it until it’s done. Same ratio of water/quinoa. You can also use broth instead of water to make it more flavorful.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: wraps
- Method: stove
- Cuisine: fusion
Nutrition
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 10 g
Keywords: Califorina Quinoa Salad
Quick Tip NOTES –-> Make the quinoa ahead and ever EASIER by using a rice cooker. It’s so nice to just push one setting and leave it until it’s done. Same ratio of water/quinoa. You can also use broth instead of water to make it more flavorful.
Name one thing you love about May! Is that too corny? Nah!
Alright lovelies, whatcha making for meatless Monday?
QUINOA salads from Fabulous Foodies we LOVE!
Favorite QUINOA SALAD or PLant Based Lunch? And go!
Cheers!
LC
Great
we love your skills,
keep sharing!
★★★★
This looks like the perfect way to change up my boring lunch routine! Love it!!
This looks amazing!! So fresh and delicious!
Thanks friend!
Looks delicious.. Thanks for the recipe ideas
Yayyyy for all the green things! That California Quinoa Salad is downright addicting…but it hurts my wallet?. You’re speaking my love language with the pesto here, and I love that the edamame gives it a punch of protein. The perfect picnic food!!
Oh em!I think you’ll adore the pesto! really! so good.
There is so much creativity in this one meal. I am so super impressed. I bow before you.
I’m thrilled you and the Kiwi are getting your 9 to 5 groove on. Go Sherpa Woman!
Omg… I’m drooling over here! These look delicious! I love making quinoa in the rice cooker… life saver.
Rice cooker saves me every time!!
Pesto that’s high protein? In a collard wrap with quinoa too?!?! This sounds absolutely delicious and I love this combination of ideas so much! Definitely excited for May as well because I’ll be graduating high school and finally starting summer!
We guys use smoked banana leaf for something stuffing recipe. But we wont eat that leaf. Just for getting the flavor of leaf. This seems like new to me. Yhanks for sharing an awesome recipe. Will get you a review tomorrow.Damn sure my mom and pappa will love this.?
I’m in love with EVERYTHING about this recipe, esp. the edamame pesto!! I love any and all variations of pesto. I’ve never had collard wraps before..do they taste especially “collardy”?
Edamame Hummus? Wow, you have done it again lady! These look so so good! I love any kind of salad plate for a plant based lunch on the go or some sort of veggie burger – so good!
Oops I meant pesto! Hummus on the brain… sorry! ha!
haha either one works!
I am SO in love with this edamame pesto…it is so vibrant and I can only imagine how delicious it tastes! Love these wraps!
Can you box this up and send me a few? I’ve been struggling with all the intricacies of running the new business and making my own food has fallen off the priority list. I am vowing that May is the month I return to making more than eggs and veggies for food. This quinoa salad might be what I live off of for a few days lol!
Collard leaves are one of my favorite veggie wraps. Yum!
me too! we need a lunch date
I was on a big collard wrap kick last fall when I was gettig tons in my CSA box. Not so much anymore, but I will be planting collards in my garden, for sure!
Favorite thing about May? MY BIRTHDAY!!
care to share the collard love? when are you moving to TEXAS!!!!??!?!
Yummy! I love collard wraps! I bet that pesto is amazing! Pinning!
thanks friend!
this looks soo deliciou..i have never tried collards and sounds like i need to try it with this quinoa salad, which im already in love with!
yea! keep me posted!
let me know if you do!
Love quinoa!!! That is so pretty!!!! Better than Whole Foods!
This looks incredible! I love grain salads for lunch as they’re so hearty and delicious! Definitely the kinda fuel I need to power through the rest of the day!
me too!! power lunches are totally needed on a monday. haha
Oh my goodness, Lindsay! This is gorgeous. I have been wanting to make collard wraps, and I think I finally will, with this recipe!! I love edamame and I would looove to try it in pesto! YUM!
Girl you would so love! wish we could have a lunch date
its like a hummus and pesto combined. SO GOOD!
This is my kind of lunch, it looks amazing!!! Adding back in soy, or trying to in moderation before going back in to see where my numbers are because who knows there are so many debates on it and I cut it out as told by the doc but it seems when I cut something out later another doc tells me I don’t have to. Seeing different reports on it not having as big of an impact on hormone and breast health that throws that issue out the window kind of, but that is only half of it.
Anyways, what time is lunch? You should also link up on my post for Meatless Monday!
yes, I can totally relate to that. KEep me posted on the adding back in!
Girl you had me at pesto. Like always.
Ok so that quinoa salad alone sounds pretty EPIC – but then you enclosed it in collard wraps WITH that EDAMAME PESTO!!! Girlfriend that’s AWESOME! Perfectly delicious and nutritious!
yes, i like epicness! haha
these look amazing!! i have wanted to make collard wraps for a while but they’re so big so i’m intimidated by them haha. pinning this so if i ever do pluck up the courage, this is what i’ll be making
oh i bet you would love them bev!!! xxoo
You had me at quinoa 🙂
i’m totally hooked too!
I will be making this recipe tonight for meatless Monday. Fabulous. Love quinoa and wraps. May is the best. “Let all thy joys be as the month of May.” Francis Quarles
okay i gotta steal that quote! love it!
Wow, girly, it sounds like everything is going amazing (and busy!) in the Cotter household! Huge congrats to your hubs for rocking it at his new job…I’m sure there’s a bit of an adjustment for both of you but sounds like you’ve got this life thing down! And staying fueled with super healthy food? Brilliant.
I’m loving this edamame pesto idea! I’ve never tried it and it definitely looks like a delicious protein infusion for any wrap or sammie. Bravo, lady!
i loved the pesto. Kinda like hummus and pesto and dip all rolled up in one! haha. Care to come for lunch?
Love the idea of wrapping this salad up in those beautiful collard leaves!! This salad is perfect for those long working days and I am sure my husband would love it just as much as me!
yes, my thoughts exactly!
That edamame pesto sounds divine. I’ve been slowly incorporating back into my diet rice and quinoa. I was able to tolerate black rice last week after soaking it. In so excited to start eat more of it!
that’s awesome! and i love black rice. YAY!
I LOVE these! I just had a salmon collard green wrap the other night and it was delicious. Favorite thing about May- I consider it the start of summer (Memorial Day!).
so true! may is summer in my school brain. LOL!
This looks absolutely amazing!
I love that salad from whole foods and I love you even more because now I don’t have to spend 1000 dollars on whole foods per month lol!
exactly!!! we can save mulah and eat well!
How delightful is this! Every time I see a collard wrap I am reminded that I’ve still not done one and have been planning on it. Adding to the list for recipe after we move!
you haven’t?? oh girl, you’d love! make it spicy!
Gorgeous Lindsay! I haven’t done a collard wrap but you know how I love collards – looks so spring-like, healthy and just perfect 🙂
i felt very springy! hehe like a picnic.
These are so pretty, and they sound delicious!!! Love the variety of colors, textures, and flavors all tucked inside one little wrap. I want these for lunch today! 🙂
i’ll deliver!