Dig into this strawberry spinach salad with quinoa, cucumber and fresh mozzarella. Topped with basil balsamic dressing and toasted almonds, it’ll surely become your go-to salad recipe this summer!

Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad in White Bowl with Basil Balsamic Dressing in Jar

Hello friends! I absolutely love this time of year when everything seems to slow down a bit and mealtime becomes more casual. There’s something about eating on the deck or patio that makes it even more enjoyable, right?!

With the hot weather, we’re finding ourselves craving all kinds of fresh food. And, when I can prep something that doesn’t require turning on the oven, even better! Over the weekend, I made this strawberry spinach salad with quinoa. Needless to say, it was a big hit with all.

Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Mixed Greens and Fresh Mozzarella in White Salad Bowl

Hello Strawberry Season!

Don’t those sliced strawberries look scrumptious? And with other garden fresh ingredients like baby spinach, red leaf lettuce, cucumber and green onion, this summery salad is packed with all kinds of goodness.

Of course, strawberries are in season right now, so I look for any opportunity to use them. This batch was particularly sweet and juicy. Yum!

If you’re a strawberry lover like I am, you may want to check out my full collection of strawberry recipes, including drinks, desserts and more. One of my favourites in the summer is this strawberry basil smash cocktail. Read on to find even more delicious ideas using fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Basil Dressing in White Salad Bowl

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Tasty Strawberry Pairings

Anything in particular you like to pair with strawberries? For me, it’s basil and balsamic.

Naturally, it made sense to go in that direction for the dressing. This one is blended with fresh strawberries, along with typical staple ingredients you’d find in a homemade salad dressing with one key difference…

Basil Balsamic Dressing in Bonne Maman Jar

Instead of using balsamic vinegar, I used glaze. It intensifies and sweetens the flavour, which means a tiny bit of this zippy salad dressing goes a long way.

I also suggest trying balsamic glaze over chicken, flatbread, grilled veggies, bruschetta and more. So tasty!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Basil, Fresh Mozzarella, Cucumber and Toasted Almonds on Black Salad Plate

We prefer dishing up our own salad, then lightly drizzling the balsamic dressing on afterwards. As an option, you can add it to the whole bowl just before serving. Be sure to include the toasted almonds for a bit of crunch.

And, because this salad is so packed full of protein from the cheese, quinoa and nuts, it can serve as a meal on its own without weighing you down. As an option, add a bit of grilled chicken. It’s a great salad to pack for summer picnics too. Enjoy!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Basil Balsamic Dressing

Ingredients

extra virgin olive oil
balsamic glaze
white wine vinegar
dijon mustard
salt and pepper
fresh strawberries and basil
baby spinach and red leaf lettuce
cooked quinoa or ancient grain blend
cucumber and green onion
fresh mozzarella
toasted almonds

The full list of ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Directions

To make the basil balsamic dressing, add fresh strawberries, basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze, vinegar, dijon, salt and pepper to a blender. Blend until smooth and transfer to a jar.

To make the strawberry spinach salad, layer spinach, lettuce, quinoa, cucumber, green onion, strawberries and basil in a large bowl.

Drizzle salad evenly with dressing, toss lightly, then top with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe Tips

Dressing and salad can be prepared ahead of time separately. Store in refrigerator until right before serving. Add nuts at the end to keep them crunchy.
For the quinoa, I used a blend of quinoa and ancient grains that are gluten-free. Cook ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until needed.
To make this salad nut-free, try replacing the almonds with sunflower seeds.
For a vegan salad, simply eliminate the fresh mozzarella or substitute with plant-based.
Use balsamic glaze, not vinegar to make the dressing. I keep a bottle of this brand on hand, but you can make your own by reducing balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it thickens (stir and watch closely). Add a bit of brown sugar for a sweeter version.

Another Summer Salad Recipe to Try

Love fresh fruit in your savoury salad? I suggest making this Grilled Peach Salad with Maple Vinaigrette. It’s one of my all-time favourites with similar fresh ingredients.