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!
I hope you are ready for some freshness because today I have for you a very easy and delicious Strawberry, Apple, and quinoa Spinach Salad!
This hearty fruit and spinach salad is a nutritious combination of brightly colored strawberries, crisp apple slices, and juicy red grapes, tossed with quinoa, pecans, and spinach and finished off with a simple balsamic dressing.
Light yet filling, this salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or a light dinner. It may not be a wildly new salad, but it is a classic and deserves a place in the recipe collection!
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-round 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 shine through.
- Quinoa. I found the 1 cup to be the perfect amount, adding some carbohydrates, protein, and extra fiber.
- Balsamic Dressing. For the dressing, use either dark or white balsamic vinegar. I used 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 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!
How To Make Strawberry, Apple + Spinach Salad
- Start by prepping the strawberries, apples, and grapes.
- Next, make the simple balsamic dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon, pure maple syrup, salt & pepper in a small bowl.
- Lastly, add the spinach, fruit, nuts, and quinoa in a large mixing bowl, pour 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!
- Cherry, Pistachio + Mint Quinoa Salad
- Apple Quinoa Salad + Tahini Maple Dressing
- Grilled Peach, Corn & Zucchini Quinoa Salad + Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
- See all vegan Salad recipes on TSV!
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.
PrintSTRAWBERRY, APPLE + QUINOA SPINACH SALAD
This light and healthy salad is dressed with a simple balsamic dressing. It makes for a refreshing lunch or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad, Entree
- Method: mix
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 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 this Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing in place of the balsamic vinaigrette.
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This looks amazing! Do you have a soup recommendation to pair with this salad?
Thank you so much for posting.
Julia
Yes, I would try this Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup or Celery Soup, and for something a little more hearty this Butternut Squash + Red Lentil Soup or Creamy Broccoli + Red Lentil Soup are delicious as well!
This salad was a hit! My family has already asked for me to make it again.
Yay, so glad to hear! We love this salad too! Thanks for sharing!
This looks amazing!! Beautiful pictures <3 I must make this :) Thank you for posting.
This looks so good – I am a massive fan of quinoa!