Description
Quinoa Spinach Power Salad is a vibrant and nutritious salad packed with fluffy quinoa, fresh baby spinach, crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy toasted seeds. Tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for a healthy meal prep option, light lunch, or refreshing dinner with a Mediterranean-inspired twist.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked quinoa, fresh baby spinach, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and finely sliced red onion. Gently toss to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Toss with vinaigrette: Pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients without breaking the avocado.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds over the top for added texture and flavor.
- Serve or store: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste or refrigerate without the vinaigrette to maintain freshness for up to 3 days. Dress just before serving.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to boost protein levels and make it a more filling meal.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep the greens fresh and avoid sogginess.
- Store leftovers without the dressing refrigerated for up to 3 days to preserve texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
