Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts

This Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts is simple to make and makes a great side dish or vegetarian main course.

If you’ve been around a long time, you know that I’ve gone through a lot of phases with food.

From omnivore to vegetarian to vegan and back to omnivore.

I’ve tried Paleo.

Low Carb.

And Keto.

Sometimes I know I must be confusing my readers with all the different phases, but the reality is that is just who I am.

Hello, my name is Wendy, and I’m a change addict.

It is true.

I thrive on change and love to throw myself into the latest thing out there. Usually, it starts with the hope that I will finally find my “thing.”

Then I’m sure I’ve found it.

And then I get bored and antsy.

I drive my husband crazy with this because he always replies “Why don’t you just eat….FOOD. Real Food.”

He has a point. At the end of the day, although I love all things rich and creamy, (Looking at you, cheese) I also have a deep love for vegetables that makes eating healthy easier for me than some.

Truth: I get excited by salads and rarely go a day without one.

(Although weight fell off with keto, the worst part for me was trying to count the carbs in my salad. ICK!)

For the longest time, it was the same old salad every day. But in the last few years, I’ve had a lot of fun mixing it up.

Salads like this Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts are a great way to change your salad routine up without making things complicated.

You can use bottled Balsamic Vinegar Dressing if you like, but I prefer to make my own. It only takes 5 minutes, and it tastes SO much better. I try to make a jar on the weekend so that I have it on hand when things get hectic during the week.

If you do use purchased dressing, pick a good one (usually found in the produce section, not in the center aisle) and make sure you read the label.

(Side Note: Am I the only one that label reading involves reading glasses for these days? I seriously just bought a pair. Ugh.)

Annnyhow, either way, you go with the dressing, I think you’ll love this Spinach Quinoa Salad as much as I do. I’ve had it countless times in the last four years, and it never gets old.

If you like this Spinach Quinoa Salad, you may also enjoy these salad recipes:

• Edamame Quinoa Salad
• Asian Cabbage & Noodle Salad
• Thai Black Rice Quinoa Salad (one of my all time favs)
• Mexican Quinoa Salad

5 from 3 votes

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Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

This Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts is simple to make and makes a great side dish or vegetarian main course.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 335 kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked quinoa
• 10 ounces fresh baby spinach chopped fine
• 6 ounces feta crumbled
• 1 small red onion chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
• 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted

Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine quinoa, spinach, feta, red onion and basil. Toss with dressing and top with pine nuts to serve.

Recipe Notes

This recipe was originally published in 2014. Updated in 2017.

Nutrition Facts

Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 335 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 22g 34%

Saturated Fat 6g 30%

Cholesterol 25mg 8%

Sodium 361mg 15%

Potassium 500mg 14%

Total Carbohydrates 25g 8%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 3g

Protein 10g 20%

Vitamin A 91.7%

Vitamin C 17.7%

Calcium 20.7%

Iron 17.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.