Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad

Strawberry spinach quinoa salad screams summer with fresh strawberries and simple balsamic dressing. This dish is both simple and delicious!

“Doesn’t this strawberry spinach quinoa salad look SO fresh and DELICIOUS guys!!??” Those were the exact words I said to Ted and Joey when I made this salad the other night. My guys looked at each other and exchanged THE look. What’s THE look between the Serbinski boys?

The look at dinner usually means, “man I wish Mom made homemade pizza to go alongside this strawberry spinach quinoa salad.” Who am I kidding? They probably would have rather had the pizza in lieu of the salad and grilled chicken, but since I spend most days chasing two boys under two, Dad doesn’t complain much about the food I make. Joey? Well he hasn’t quite gotten that memo yet but he’s learning.

I first made this strawberry spinach quinoa salad for myself a few weeks ago when I wanted something light and healthy for lunch. I didn’t try feeding it to Joey then; I wanted a relaxing moment during his nap where I could eat my lunch in peace and not run around picking up quinoa off my hardwood floor. But when I served it for dinner last week, he happily ate a few spoonfuls of the salad and picked out the strawberries when he realized that was an option too.

This salad makes a satisfying lunch or dinner option. I forgot to mention there’s a light balsamic vinaigrette that gets mixed in as well. Topped with grilled chicken or steak and you’ve got a complete, protein-packed meal. What’s also great is the salad can be kept at room temperature for an hour or two, so if you are headed to a BBQ, potluck, or picnic, this is a fresh crowd-pleasing dish to pass!

I shared this simple strawberry spinach quinoa salad over at my friend Kristen’s blog, Practical Mommy. What I love about Kristen and her writing is simply stated in her blog’s title: it’s PRACTICAL. And us moms need practical, real-life shortcuts to make our lives easier. Kristen shares just THAT!

So here’s to summer salads! And yes, next time I make this salad I’ll please the guys and serve it with pizza too. What a mom…. Am I right?!