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
Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts
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
- ½ cup Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
- ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine quinoa, spinach, feta, red onion and basil. Toss with dressing and top with pine nuts to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Amy
This was so good!
Sev
I used a greek cheese called Manouri, creamier than feta. It was very good. Thanks for sharing !
Sarah
Part of the recipe is covered by ads ):
Wendy Polisi
Thank you for letting me know. I just emailed my ad company to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Monica
Decided to try this, unsure of how good it would be... I was pleasantly surprised, it was sooo good! I switch the pine nuts for almonds and it worked great!
Wendy Polisi
I am so glad that you enjoyed it Monica! I've made this with almonds before too and loved it. I got some bad pine nuts last year and they messed up my taste buds for days so I've been hesitant to use pine nuts as much as I used to.
Rhiannon
How much of the salad can you combine ahead of time? I am making this now and planning to use for work lunches. 🙂
Wendy Polisi
I think it would be fine to do everything but the dressing. Spinach tends to hold up pretty well.
Margaret Hargrove
Do you have any recipes for salad dressings that don't use oils. Oils turn rancid quickly. Thank you for your help.
Wendy Polisi
Are you looking for something that is creamy or something that uses something else as a base (like chia seeds)?
Lisa
This is a really delicious salad. I made your balsamic dressing too. Delish!! Thanks for another great recipe Wendy!
Wendy Polisi
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.