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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries

    Published: May 31, 2016 Modified: Jun 7, 2017 by Karen Kelly This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries

    This Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries is always a hit with everyone who tries it.  It's healthy, light and refreshing with sweetness and crunch.  It's full of antioxidants and gluten-free too.  You can't lose with this favorite salad.

    Quinoa with Spinach and Berries

    Hope you guys all had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend!  Mine was filled with trips to the pool, cook-outs, and relaxation with family and friends.

    Back to reality for just a few more days: 10 to be exact.  Ten more school days for my kids and they are filled with sports, parties, exams and more parties.  I can't wait for the year to be over.  No more packing lunches, doing homework or volunteering at school.

    Quinoa with Spinach and Berries

    Each year as school wraps up I start to think about what I want our summer to be like. Sure it's fun to plan vacations, day trips and summer camps but I also think about the everyday routine.  How can I get my kids started off on the right foot with chores, reading, homework packets and limited electronics?  It's like I have to retrain them each June so they don't get out of school and think they can lay on the couch all summer, texting friends, watching Musical.ly and eating potato chips.

    Not. Going. To. Happen.

    Quinoa with Spinach and Berries

    Maybe I'm a mean mom but I start off with chore lists each day.  Nothing too hard, mind you...unload dishwasher, feed dog, make bed, put away laundry etc.  It usually works for awhile but by mid summer, we are all slackers.  I loosen up and they fall apart.  I start to get frustrated bc I feel like I'm the unpaid hired help who cleans up after them each day.

    My goal this summer is not to get to that point.  Wish me luck!

    Quinoa with Spinach and Berries

    My crankiness about chores can easily be calmed by this Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries.  It has been a HUGE hit every time I make it and I've made it at least 268 times.  Seriously. It's that good.  The best part is, you won't even notice it's healthy because it's sweet, crunchy and delicious.

    Chopping the spinach is a must because it just tastes better when everything is small and similarly sized.  The strawberries and blueberries give it natural sweetness so pick the ripest and juiciest ones you can find.  The pecans give it a bit of crunch and saltiness which go a long way to round out the flavors.  Quinoa adds protein to make it heartier and keep you fuller longer.

    Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries

    This salad can easily be made on a Monday and kept in the fridge without dressing for a few days.  Take it to the pool and pat yourself on the back for avoiding the chicken tenders and hot dogs for sale at the snack shack.  I mean, after all, you are in your bathing suit!  If that's not motivation, I don't know what is.

    Happy summer and here's to eating healthy lunches like this Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries all summer long!

    Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries

    This Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Berries is always a hit with everyone who tries it. It's healthy, light and refreshing with sweetness and crunch. It's full of antioxidants and gluten-free too. You can't lose with this favorite salad.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 323kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup quinoa cooked and cooled
    • 2 cups baby spinach washed, dried and chopped into small pieces
    • 1 cup fresh blueberries
    • 1 cup fresh strawberries halved
    • 1 cup pecans chopped
    • For Dressing:
    • ¼ cup grapeseed oil or olive
    • 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Throw all salad ingredients into a bowl and toss gently.
    • Put dressing ingredients into a small mason jar and shake.
    • Pour dressing over salad right before serving.
    • This salad is impossible to mess up so use whatever amounts you like for the spinach and berries.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 338mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 960IU | Vitamin C: 19.5mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @seasonal_cravings or tag #seasonal_cravings and I will repost on my stories.

    About Karen Kelly

    Hi, I'm Karen Kelly a certified health coach, freelance food writer, and blogger. At Seasonal Cravings, you will find wholesome gluten-free recipes and healthy lifestyle tips.

    Reader Interactions

    If you make this recipe, be sure to tag #seasonal_cravings on Instagram.  Please leave a comment below and rate the recipe. Thanks so much!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Caroline

      June 02, 2016 at 1:38 am

      Such a beautiful and healthy salad! I've got berries in the fridge right now...can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        June 06, 2016 at 12:47 pm

        Thanks, Caroline! Hope you like it.

        Reply
    2. Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen

      June 02, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      Such a gorgeous, healthy salad Karen! Adding this to my summer salad list!

      Reply
    3. Megan - The Emotional Baker

      June 06, 2016 at 11:19 am

      This looks like the perfect salad for summer! I'm always looking for new ways to use quinoa - this looks like the perfect option 🙂

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        June 06, 2016 at 12:46 pm

        Thanks, Megan! I love quinoa bc it's the perfect blank slate for seasonal ingredients.

        Reply
    4. Beverly

      January 27, 2023 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      I normally make my spinach and berry salad with chicken and feta. I am out of chicken. This sounds like an awesome alternative.

      Reply

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    Hello!

    I'm Karen Kelly a food and travel writer, health coach and recipe creator. At Seasonal Cravings you will find quick, healthy recipes and the best travel tips!

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