Spinach Artichoke Salad with Quinoa – 🥬🥗❤️ All the flavors of classic spinach and artichoke dip are in this HEALTHY salad! The only thing that’s missing is tons of fat and calories! FAST, EASY, naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and tastes DELISH!
Table of Contents
Quick and Easy Quinoa Spinach Artichoke Salad
This naturally gluten-free and vegetarian salad made with quinoa is just the ticket to put a healthier spin on classic spinach and artichoke dip.
It’s easy, ready in 25 minutes, and gives you all the flavors you’re looking for minus some of the guilt. It’s creamy, cheesy, has texture from fresh spinach and artichokes, and is oh-so good.
You can’t have spinach and artichoke anything without, well obviously, spinach and artichokes.
I used fresh spinach and although it wilts some after coming in contact with the warm quinoa and lightly caramelized onions, it retains a better texture than frozen spinach. I didn’t want the pulverized texture of frozen spinach here either.
For the artichokes I used frozen artichoke hearts that I thawed. If you have a Trader Joe’s in your area, I love their frozen artichokes. I always have them on hand and toss them in everything from salads to on the grill when I’m grilling veggies.
Although jarred artichokes in oil, or artichokes that you’ll often find at the olive bar of most
Looking for more quinoa recipes?
Break out of your salad rut with 30 of the best easy healthy salads! Or, meal prep with a Garden Fresh Quinoa Salad, Lemon, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Almond Quinoa Salad, or a Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Quinoa Salad!
What’s in a Healthy Artichoke Spinach Salad?
- Olive oil
- Onion – Use a yellow onion for a sweeter taste
- Quinoa – Any color will work
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed is best
- Spinach – I use fresh baby spinach
- Artichokes – I use frozen fresh artichokes, but you can use canned if needed
- Green onions
- Greek yogurt – Full-fat yogurt will create the richest flavor and creamiest consistency
- Mayonnaise
- Parmesan cheese – If possible, buy a block of parmesan and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that impact their taste and texture. Feta cheese would also taste great if preferred
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make a Quick Spinach Salad with Artichokes and Quinoa
From start to finish, this entire recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. And you can make it even faster if you use leftover quinoa!
Here’s an overview of how to throw it all together:
- Cook the onions in olive oil over medium-high heat to soften and caramelize. Add the quinoa, and toast it until lightly golden. Be careful not to burn!
- Add the water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Then, reduce the heat, cover the pan, and cook until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients except the parmesan, and stir to combine.
- Add the parmesan, and stir again.
- Season to taste. Then, enjoy immediately, or transfer your salad to the fridge for later.
What to Serve with Spinach Artichoke Salad
Recipe FAQs
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It makes for a great meal prep to grab and go!
Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate any protein you have on hand. Grilled lemon chicken, grilled shrimp, tuna, or rotisserie chicken would all taste great!
I don’t see why not! Include fresh veggies, or sauté them with the onions. Or, use leftover grilled vegetables!
Obviously, it won’t be a quinoa salad anymore, but you could use rice instead if preferred.
Feel free to add any seasoning you like best. Or, include extra mix-ins like chopped red onion, fresh basil, beans, basil, or a sprinkle of pine nuts.
Equipment
- 1 Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large or extra-large yellow onion, peeled and diced small
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 3 cups fresh spinach, 3 heaping handfuls
- 12 ounces artichoke hearts, halved if they’re very large (I use frozen that I thaw first, artichokes in oil that have been drained may be substituted)
- 2 to 3 green onions, sliced into thin rounds
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, I use 0% fat, sour cream may be substituted
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise, I use light
- ½ cup shaved or grated real parmesan cheese, or as desired
Instructions
- To a large skillet or saucepan, add the olive oil, onions, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened and just begin to lightly caramelize, about 7 minutes.
- Add the quinoa, stir it into the onions, and let it toast for about 30 seconds.
- Add the water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, stir to combine, reduce the heat to low, cover pan, and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed.
- Transfer quinoa and onions to a very large bowl, and add the spinach, artichokes, green onions, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and and stir to combine.
- Add the parmesan and stir to combine.
- Taste and check for seasoning balance, adding salt, pepper, and an additional dollop of Greek yogurt or mayo if desired. Dish can be served warm and immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Related Recipes
30 Best Easy Healthy Salads – Break out of your salad rut with these amazing salads! Fast, easy, and flavorful! You’ll want to put them into your regular rotation!
Lemon, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Almond Quinoa Salad – Fast, easy, and fresh! Bright flavors and loads of texture! This clean-eating salad keeps you full and satisfied! Healthy never tasted so good! No mayo and great for outdoor events or lunch boxes!
Garden Fresh Quinoa Salad – Loaded with everything fresh, light, healthy, and summery! Great for parties, potlucks, and lunch boxes because there’s no mayo! Make this easy and flavorful dish before summer disappears!
Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Quinoa Salad (GF) – Trying to keep meals healthier and lighter? Make this easy, refreshing and satisfying salad!
Tabbouleh – Never had it? Think couscous or quinoa mixed with vegetables, herbs, lemon and olive oil! Easy, no cooking required, healthy, and packed with so much flavor! Great for outdoor events because there’s no mayo!
This sounds wonderful, and will satisfy that artichoke/spinach dip craving, as you said!!
Do you know how many calories for how much.
There is an orange Nutrition Info button at the bottom of the recipe.
the nutrition info button is gone…would like to know that info
I am working on updating all my recipes to include nutrition info since that button/company is not longer around. But in the meantime, you can calculate manually if it’s a more pressing matter.
I think I love anything turned into a salad and I have been seeing frozen artichoke hearts as well at the grocery. I’m anxious to try this!
I think you would enjoy this one. Let me know if you try it!
Fantastic salad!!! Jon loves spinach artichoke dip but always appreciates healthful makeovers so he was really excited about this one. I think we’ll have this again tomorrow!
Glad you thought it was fantastic and that you’re possibly making it again! I agree that it’s nice to be able to do some healthier makeovers from time to time.
Quinoa salads are my fave for easy lunch! This spinach artichoke version sounds amazing!
love the idea to add quinoa! This would be delicious for lunches :)
Perfect for lunches or as a great side to a main!
Quinoa salads are my fave for easy lunch! This spinach artichoke version sounds amazing!