Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese

This balsamic strawberry quinoa salad with feta cheese makes an easy summer salad recipe, packed with refreshing flavors. Served as a main or a side dish, it’s a very festive salad, perfect for picnics and potlucks.

From the early days of spring and until the end of summer, salads become my best friends, and I’m always in search for new ideas. Quinoa salads in particular are my favorite ones: they’re very satisfying, high in plant-based protein and overall healthy. Plus, there are endless of possibilities to customize them, whether you plan to enjoy them as a side or as a main in the form of buddha bowl.

Today’s strawberry quinoa salad recipe is one of my all-time favorites, and also one of the very first recipes published on the blog years and years ago. It’s a quick, healthy salad, packed with sweet and savory flavors, and simply delicious. The old photos from my debut in food blogging didn’t quite fit this awesome salad, so I decided to give it a second life and just upgraded this strawberry quinoa salad recipe with brand new, bright, and generous photos. I hope you enjoy!

A summer strawberry quinoa salad…

A few ingredients only for this simple strawberry quinoa salad recipe that is definitely is on the minimalist side for a maximum of flavors. Here’s what you need:

• Quinoa
• Strawberries
• Avocado
• Feta cheese
• Hazelnuts

Yes, 5 ingredients only, and a perfect mix of sweet and savory flavors combined together. Here the sweetness of strawberries is cut by the salty feta, while the soft avocado contrasts beautifully with the crunchy toasted hazelnuts. Lastly, the quinoa is what holds the salad together and makes it very satisfying. All is a matter of balance between flavors and texture.

… with a subtle balsamic dressing

Now this salad wouldn’t be complete without this subtle balsamic dressing that goes with it. Strawberries and balsamic vinegar are like best friends and bring this special sweet touch to the salad. Apart from the use of balsamic vinegar, there is absolutely nothing fancy in the dressing, just a simple combination of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.

And don’t forget to sprinkle some fresh basil leaves all over your salad; it is the little something that makes the whole difference, bringing some freshness to the whole dish.

A healthy & balanced quinoa salad recipe

Entirely vegetarian, this strawberry quinoa salad also has a great balance of everything. This makes it relatively healthy, whether you enjoy it as a side, a starter or a main. With a low glycemic index, quinoa is high in fiber, protein, and is packed with various vitamins and minerals. Alongside with all these health benefits, the advantage of using quinoa in a salad recipe is that it makes the whole dish wholesome and satisfying.

Then come the other ingredients that complete the salad. Strawberries are high in vitamin C and are very rich in antioxidants and plant compounds, which may have benefits for heart health and blood sugar control. Feta cheese brings great amounts of calcium to the recipe, and also adds in protein. Lastly, hazelnuts provide healthy fats (i.e. unsaturated fats, which are mostly oleic acid). They are also high in magnesium, calcium and vitamins B and E.

Make this strawberry quinoa salad yours!

It’s easy to customize this salad depending on the ingredients you have at hand. Strawberries can be replaced with other berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries…), hazelnuts with slivered almonds, walnuts or even with various seeds.

Consider also adding/removing some ingredients: avocado can be optional, baby spinach could be added, as well as half a cucumber, thinly diced. When it comes to the cheese, I find that feta works a wonder with strawberries, but note that mozzarella, burrata, and even fresh goat cheese or blue cheese would do. You get the idea: there are plenty of possibilities to adapt this strawberry quinoa salad and make it your own.

More summer salad recipes you’ll love

• Avocado Raspberry Quinoa Salad
• Mango Burrata Salad
• Strawberry Burrata Salad with Mint Pesto
• Spinach Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese
• Apricot & Feta Quinoa Mason Jar Salad
• Mediterranean Chickpea Couscous Salad

… what about strawberries for dessert?

Craving more strawberries? Don’t forget to treat yourself for dessert with one of these recipes below, or head over to these 20+ very berry recipes.

• Easy Strawberry Shortcake
• Strawberry Cheesecake Blondies
• French Strawberry Tart with Pastry Cream
• Strawberry Layer Cake with Lemon Curd (Midsommartårta)
• Meringue Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese

• 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
• Leave a Review

Print

Pin

• Author: Delphine Fortin
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Savory
• Cuisine: Plant-based
• Diet: Vegetarian

This balsamic strawberry quinoa salad with feta cheese makes an easy summer salad recipe, packed with refreshing flavors. Served as a main or a side dish, it’s a very festive salad, perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Email me this recipe

We’ll send it straight to your inbox, along with weekly food inspiration!

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (180g) quinoa, uncooked and rinsed
• 5.3 ounces (150g) strawberries, rinsed and sliced
• 5.3 ounces (150g) feta cheese, diced
• 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and diced
• 1/3 cup (50g) hazelnuts, halved and toasted
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• A handful of basil leaves, minced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. In a medium pot placed over high heat, add quinoa and double the volume of water; bring mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff quinoa with a fork. Cover and allow quinoa to sit in the pot for 10 minutes.
2. Add quinoa to a large mixing bowl. Add strawberries, feta, avocado, and toss well.
3. In a small sauté pan, slightly toast the hazelnuts for about 1 to 2 minutes, shaking the pan as you go to prevent from burning. Remove from heat and add to the salad.
4. In a bowl, combine together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad just before serving, sprinkle some basil leaves all over, and toss well.

Berries, Cheese, Family-Friendly, Healthy, Quick & Easy, Quinoa, Salads & Bowls, Sides, Spring, Summer, Vegetarian

Did you make this recipe?

Lastly, if you make this Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!