Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad
This avocado strawberry spinach salad blends creamy avocado, sweet strawberries, and crunchy walnuts for a refreshing, healthy spinach salad with avocado that's gluten-free and protein-packed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of cayenne
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces spinach (loosely chopped)
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (cooled)
- 12 ounces strawberries (sliced)
- 2 small avocados (cubed)
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
Instructions
- Place a small skillet over medium-high heat and add walnuts, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and a dash of cayenne. Stir constantly for 7-10 minutes until the nuts are fully coated and lightly browned. Transfer to parchment paper to cool, then chop.
- In a mason jar or salad shaker, combine Dijon mustard, garlic, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Secure the lid and shake until creamy and emulsified.
- In large bowls, layer the spinach, cooked quinoa, sliced strawberries, cubed avocado, and hemp hearts.
- Top with the maple-candied walnuts, drizzle the dressing generously, and toss gently to combine.