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STRAWBERRY, APPLE + QUINOA SPINACH SALAD

Strawberry, Apple + Quinoa Spinach Salad – Fresh and colorful, this flavorful spinach salad features juicy & crisp fruits, heart healthy quinoa and pecans tossed with a simple balsamic vinaigrette!

side angle view of spinach salad with strawberries, apples and quinoa.

I hope you are ready for some freshness, because today I have for you a very easy and most delicious Strawberry, Apple + Quinoa Spinach Salad!

This hearty fruit & spinach salad is a nutritious combination of brightly colored strawberries, crisp apple slices, juicy red grapes, all tossed with quinoa, pecans, spinach, and finished off with a simple balsamic dressing.

Light, yet filling, this is a perfect salad for a healthy lunch or a light dinner. It may not be a wildly new salad, but it is a classic and much deserving to be in the recipe collection.

side by side photos of ingredients used to make strawberry, apple, quinoa and spinach salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Feel free to change up the amounts of fruit you use, using more or less of any ingredient that suits your taste.

Here is everything you will need, including substitutions:

  • Spinach. Sub with baby kale.
  • Strawberries. Strawberries can be found year around, but are at their peak in the summer months.
  • Apples. Use your favorite variety – granny, Fuji, honey crisp, gala, etc.
  • Grapes. Use seedless red or green grapes
  • Pecans. The pecans pair well with all the ingredients, but you can change it up using walnut pieces, slivered almonds or pepitas if you prefer. The dressing is very simple, letting all the flavors of the salad ingredients to shine through.
  • Quinoa. I found the 1 cup to be a perfect amount adding some carbohydrates, protein and extra fiber.
  • Balsamic Dressing. For the dressing, use either a dark or white balsamic vinegar. I used a white balsamic here as that is what I had on hand. Either one works perfectly here. I like my dressing a little on the peppery side, but of course you can add fresh cracked pepper to suit your taste. For variation, try this Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing!

So gather your ingredients, and in no time you will be ready to enjoy a little healthy, fruity freshness!

top down view of sliced strawberries and grapes on a circular wooden cutting board.

How To Make Strawberry, Apple + Spinach Salad

  • Start by prepping the strawberries, apples and grapes.
side by side photo showing the ingredients for spinach salad dressing.
  • Next, make the simple balsamic dressing by combining the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon, pure maple syrup, salt & pepper.
top down view of a large serving bowl filled with the prepped spinach salad ingredients before mixing.
  • Lastly, add the spinach, fruit, nuts and quinoa in a large mixing bowl, pout the dressing overtop and mix to combine.

It’s simple, delicious and lip smacking good!

Enjoy the lighter side of life! ❀️

More Healthy Salad Recipes!

top down view of a spinach salad with strawberries, apples and quinoa in a serving bowl.

If you try this easy spinach salad recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

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STRAWBERRY, APPLE + QUINOA SPINACH SALAD

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

This light and healthy salad is dressed with a simple balsamic dressing. It makes for a refreshing lunch or light dinner.

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Category: Salad, Entree
  • Method: mix
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 – 6 oz. fresh baby greens or mix (kale, spinach, chard, arugula)
  • 7 – 8 strawberries, quartered
  • 1 apple, cored and sliced (use your favorite type, green or red)
  • 1 cup grapes, sliced in half
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup pecans

Simple Balsamic Dressing

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (white or dark)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon or stoneground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • pinch of mineral salt

Instructions

Dressing: In a small bowl whisk together the oil, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Salad: In a large bowl add the greens, quinoa, strawberries, apples, grapes and nuts. Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss to combine.

Serve right away and enjoy!

Serves 3 – 4

Notes

The pecans were delicious here, but feel free to use walnuts halves, slivered almonds, pepitas or hemp hearts if you prefer.

For variation, try thisΒ Creamy Poppy Seed DressingΒ in place of the balsamic vinaigrette.

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6 Comments

  1. This looks amazing! Do you have a soup recommendation to pair with this salad?
    Thank you so much for posting.
    Julia






  2. i_luv_veggies says:

    This salad was a hit! My family has already asked for me to make it again.






    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      Yay, so glad to hear! We love this salad too! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Catherine says:

    This looks amazing!! Beautiful pictures <3 I must make this :) Thank you for posting.

  4. This looks so good – I am a massive fan of quinoa!
    – Izzy | Pinch of delight

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