Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Lemon Vinaigrette

Why You'll Love This Easy Quinoa Spinach Salad

• A power salad - filling and full of protein (just like our quinoa salmon salad bowl.)
• Healthy side dish with lots of nutrients and antioxidants, just like watermelon salad with feta.
• Gluten-free and vegetarian.
• It can be made dairy-free and vegan.
• Easy for meal prep.
• Cook once and get a week of healthy lunches - just like our dense bean salad.
• Eat it warm or cold, just like this pesto orzo salad or couscous avocado salad.
• Customizable! Use up pantry ingredients and your favorite veggies.
• Easy to double for a crowd or party.
• Tastes even better than the store-bought version from Costco or Trader Joe's.
• Try these other healthy cold lunch ideas!

Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette Ingredients

• Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar, along with lemon juice, all provide a bright, acidic flavor.
• Extra virgin olive oil provides a fresh flavor of herbs and fruit.
• Dijon mustard provides a sharp mustard flavor with hints of white wine.

Salad Ingredients

• Quinoa is a nutrient-dense power grain full of protein and other nutritional benefits.
• Leafy greens like chopped fresh baby spinach, kale, or arugula give this spinach quinoa salad even more bulk and fiber.
• Chopped almonds provide salt and crunch. Toasted cashews or walnuts also work.
• Fresh veggies like juicy tomatoes and cucumber give this salad a deliciously light and fresh flavor.
• Feta cheese, parmesan, or creamy goat cheese are great options for cheese in this salad.
• Chickpeas give this plant-based salad even more protein, and you could add in grilled chicken, salmon, yogurt-marinated chicken, shrimp, sliced chicken breast, or tuna for even more protein.

Steps 1 Through 6 - Make the Vinaigrette

Make the vinaigrette by adding olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard to a Mason jar or a small bowl. Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice and shake until well or whisk it incorporated.

Steps 7 through 10 - Make the Salad

Toss the cooked quinoa, spinach, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, chickpeas, herbs, and other mix-ins with ¼ cup of dressing in a large bowl. Mix until well coated and serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

I also added some chopped basil and dill for extra freshness.

Salad Variations

• Use other grains. Substitute white quinoa for other cooked grains like lentils, farro, brown rice, plant-based pasta, kale, or arugula for spinach.
• Veggies. Bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, beets, and red onion also taste great.
• Avocado or cheese. Add chopped avocado or goat cheese for an additional source of healthy fat.
• Make it warm. Wilt the greens for a warm quinoa salad or try different flavors like adding pesto or using Greek flavors like lemon and oregano.
• Include fresh herbs. Add fresh basil, chopped parsley, or fresh dill to add an extra layer of freshness.
• Make it sweeter. Sweeten up the homemade dressing with a drizzle of maple syrup.
• Use a different dressing. Try our red wine Italian vinaigrette for the dressing.
• Add fruit. For a quinoa fruit salad, add fresh strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, or apples, or try this spinach salad with goat cheese and strawberries!
• Add protein. Make it a full meal by adding some cooked chicken or some sauteed shrimp.

Expert Tips

• Use microwave quinoa or pre-cooked quinoa to save time. I used this instant pot quinoa recipe by A Mindful Mom.
• If you need ideas for what to serve with this simple salad, check out our entire collection of healthy summer recipes, including our collection of easy summer meals that pair well with this recipe - many of them are gluten-free!

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