Make a delicious, healthy spinach salad at home with this easy recipe. Full of flavor and crunch, it’s the perfect salad for any occasion. Try it today and experience a refreshing burst of nutrition! Add this spinach spinach salad .
This post was updated from 2017 to improve readers’ experience. No changes were made to the recipe.
This Baby Spinach Salad isn’t your ordinary salad. It is one of those meals that will not make you feel like you are missing out or sacrificing anything when you eat it! And the variations are endless. I’ve eaten this salad for an entire week without getting tired of it!
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Spinach Salad Recipe
Flavor. This salad is chock full of flavor, healthy ingredients, and tons of texture. Best of all, it’s absolutely delicious. Every bite will make you wonder why you don’t eat more meals like this healthy salad recipe.
Energy that doesn’t weigh you down. When I start feeling sluggish, I just crave food that is good for me like this Vegetarian Spinach Salad Recipe.
A Complete Meal. This baby spinach salad is a meal all by itself. It can be a quick and simple side dish, a quick lunch, or the main dish for dinner. It’s very filling.
Easy Individual Servings. You can let everyone make their own salad and it is super easy. That way each person can customize the salad to their taste.
Image Credit
I’m going to date myself here. I grew up watching the cartoon Popeye. All he had to do was squeeze a can of spinach into his mouth and he gained superpowers that helped him defeat his nemesis, Brutus.
I grew up eating spinach out of a can and had no idea that people ate it fresh. I think you’ll agree this is a huge improvement!
What you need to make this Spinach Salad Recipe
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A good sharp knife with a cutting board is all you need.
You can also use a mandoline for cutting the brussels sprouts but they can now be purchased already sliced or shredded, which is a huge time saver.
A vinaigrette shaker is very handy for making your own salad dressing — you’ll love fresh homemade dressings!
Spinach Salad Ingredients
Once you have all of the ingredients a baby spinach salad is a snap to throw together. To keep this salad nutritious, don’t be tempted to add sugar-coated nuts or empty carbohydrates such as croutons.
Fresh Spinach. This salad starts with a pile of fresh spinach which is loaded with vitamins.
Quinoa. We’ve added quinoa which is higher in protein than other whole grains and chickpeas. Both add good carbs for energy and fiber too. Protein helps to keep you feeling full among other benefits.
Shaved brussels sprouts
. May have cancer-reducing effects and lower cholesterol. If you don’t care for cooked brussels sprouts, I believe you’ll love eating them raw. That’s my hubby’s opinion.
Garbanzo Beans. Chickpeas have a nutty flavor and are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein which will keep you satisfied for hours.
Feta Cheese. There is some feta cheese on this salad because who doesn’t love cheese? Feta is lower in fat and calories than some other cheeses. Moderation is important.
Dried Apricots. You can also see I’ve included a few diced dried fruit — its apricots. I love the little bit of sweetness they add to a salad.
Spinach Salad Dressing. Lastly, the whole thing is lightly dressed in a simple balsamic dressing made with olive oil and smooth dijon mustard. I use a touch of white sugar but you could replace it with maple syrup for a delicious twist.
How To Make this Recipe for Spinach Salad
Making this amazing salad could not be simpler. You are going to love how quick and easy it is!
Step One: Make the dressing first so the flavors have a chance to meld. Combine all of the ingredients spinach salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss them together with the vinaigrette until evenly dressed.
Step Two: Divide spinach among 4 large bowls or plates. Top with crumbled Feta cheese.
Step Three: Drizzle lightly with Vinaigrette. Add a grind of salt and pepper if needed.
What to Serve with your Healthy Spinach Salad Recipe
This salad is a meal all by itself or it can be paired with a bowl of soup, a sandwich, or a nice crusty bread.
Subsitutions & Additions
- Change out the balsamic vinaigrette for our honey jalapeno dressing that’s sweet with a kick. A warm bacon dressing would be delicious if you’re not watching those pesky calories, and you could always use your favorite store-bought balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar dressing.
- Exchange the dried apricots for dried cranberries (craisins) or fresh fruit such as pineapple, strawberries, sliced apples, or thinly sliced pears.
- Substitute the quinoa for whole grain orzo pasta or another grain such as farro or wheat berries (my favorite).
- Add protein such as boiled eggs, shrimp, salmon or grilled chicken.
- You can add any raw vegetable that you like. A few of our favorites would be tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled red onions, carrots, and red bell pepper.
- Feta cheese can be replaced with goat cheese, manchego, blue cheese or parmesan cheese would be amazing.
- Add toasted walnuts or pecans for some healthy Omega 3 fats.
- Avocado slices would be fantastic.
Pin this Easy Spinach Salad Recipe!
How to Store Leftover Baby Spinach Salad
Best Way To Store leftover Baby Spinach Salad
The salad stays freshest undressed, and loosely covered in the refrigerator. Do not put a salad in an airtight container or zipper bag. It needs to breathe and you do not want the container to retain moisture.
How Long Will Fresh Spinach Salad Last In the Fridge?
If you leave the dressing off, it will last from four to five days in the refrigerator.
Fresh spinach will last in the refrigerator crisper for 7 to 10 days prior to using it.
Healthy Spinach Salad Recipe FAQs
Yes, but don’t combine the ingredients and add the dressing until serving. Just get everything ready to throw in the bowl.
Yes. This salad is low-fat and loaded with protein and fiber.
Eating it raw in a salad or adding it to a smoothie provides a lot of fiber but antioxidants that’s a form of vitamin A was absorbed from cooked spinach compared with raw spinach.
Tips to Make the BEST Recipe for Spinach Salad
- Remove the large or tough stems from the spinach leaves.
- Have ingredients laid out in separate bowls so everyone can make their own.
- I don’t recommend pre-dressing the salad. It will stay crisper if you don’t dress it until the end.
We love using spinach in all kinds of recipes. If you do too, you may enjoy our Spinach Bread, Creamy Shrimp Pasta, and our Manchego Grilled Cheese recipes.
Mindy
Tuesday 1st of March 2022
We love spinach so this recipe was perfect for us. I love your homemade balsamic vinaigrette - I used basil and oregano and it tasted amazing.
Julie Menghini
Wednesday 2nd of March 2022
We love this one too, Mindy! Thank you!
Laura C
Wednesday 26th of May 2021
This salad isn't just any salad. It's absolutely delicious and guilt-free. I could eat it every day!
Deb Clark
Sunday 1st of March 2020
Love all the great crunch in this salad, and the homemade dressing is so good!
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 3rd of March 2020
Thank you, Deb!
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Wednesday 5th of July 2017
[…] Popeye Approved Vegetarian Spinach Power Salad […]
Agness of Run Agness Run
Wednesday 15th of March 2017
I cannot get enough of healthy salads, Julie! Your recipe is finger-licking and I'm trying it as soon as possible!
Julie Menghini
Wednesday 15th of March 2017
Thank you, Agness! I'd had one like it at a restaurant and had to replicate it as soon as possible. I think I ate it all week long.