Kathy's Vegan Kitchen

Healthy Plant-Based Vegan Cooking

menu icon
search icon
×

Vegan Strawberry Salad Recipe

by Leave a Comment

Kathy's Vegan Kitchen is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more here.

vegan strawberry salad

During my trip to the farmer's market this week, I found the most beautiful strawberries. Despite summer ending, I craved one last strawberry fling before fall took over. I love berries, and strawberries are my absolute favorite. So, I decided to make a vegan strawberry salad recipe for dinner tonight.  And with that vegan strawberry salad, I also made a strawberry vinaigrette dressing which tastes just like summer. 

As many of you know, I love salad, so coming up with unique ways to enjoy salad is one of my favorite challenges. Today's strawberries made my job a little easier. I also wanted to include various greens to include cruciferous vegetables to get a nutritional bang. 

How to make a superfood strawberry salad 

What is a superfood? 

A superfood is defined as food rich in anitoxidants, fiber, and fatty acids. Here are some to name a few: 

  • Berries
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Legumes
  • Dark leafy greens

To make a nutrient-dense base for a healthy salad, I like to combine various cruciferous vegetables and dark leafy greens with a variety of toppings. 

vegan strawberry salad recipe

Strawberry Salad ingredients

  • Strawberries
  • Romaine Lettuce
  • Kale
  • Carrot
  • Red Cabbage
  • Broccoli Stalk
  • Crunchy quinoa
  • Red onion
  • Baby bell peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Slivered Almonds (optional)
  • Tofu Feta Cheese (optional)

What is toasted quinoa?

Recently, I learned how to toast quinoa rather than cook it in water for a crunchy salad topping. Now that I've toasted quinoa, I'm obsessed.

As crazy as it sounds, I've never heard of toasted quinoa. Then, last week, while eating at one of my favorite vegan restaurants, I ate this great nutty mixture on top of a casserole; when I asked what this wonderful nutty mixture was, I learned about toasting quinoa. So, I tried it myself. Now, I'm hooked. 

Although most quinoa is prewashed, washing quinoa gets rid of a funky bitter-tasting substance called saponin.  Since rinsing quinoa is the prequel to toasting it, washing it for toasted quinoa is part of the process. 

However, if the quinoa is prewashed, rinsing quickly versus prewashing is a quick remedy to washing the quinoa. 

  • If using prewashed quinoa, measure it, transfer it to a medium-sized bowl, and fill it with water. Next, pour the contents into a fine-mesh sieve, then rinse the quinoa again with fresh water and set aside.
  • When using unwashed quinoa, measure the quinoa and place it into a bowl. Then, fill it with clean water and allow it to soak for approximately 20-30 minutes. Now, use a wire whisk to swish the quinoa around to remove the soapy residue that comes from the quinoa. Next, pour the contents into a fine-mesh sieve, then rinse the quinoa again with fresh water and set aside.

Once washed and rinsed, toast the quinoa. 

How to toast quinoa

  • Using a large non-stick pan, heat the pan to medium-low. Put the rinsed quinoa into the saute pan, creating a thin layer. Shake the pan to level out the quinoa. 
  • Once the quinoa gets hot, the water is absorbed, and the quinoa starts making a popping noise.
  • Keep moving the quinoa around the pan with a wooden spoon until the quinoa grains start to brown. It browns quickly, so don't leave it unattended. 
  • When the quinoa is brown and smells nutty, please remove it from the pan from the heat and allow it to cool completely. 
  • Store it in a container with a top in the refrigerator.

How to make strawberry vinaigrette salad dressing 

Strawberry vinaigrette

Strawberry Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients

  • Organic Strawberries
  • Garlic
  • Shallot
  • Maple syrup or date syrup
  • Dijon mustard
  • Champagne vinegar (or substitute balsamic vinegar)
  • Water

salad with strawberries

Serving vegan strawberry salad recipe with strawberry vinaigrette dressing

Although making the vegan strawberry salad recipe ahead of time saves time, please don't dress the salad until it is time to serve. Serve the strawberry dressing on the side or toss the salad if intending to serve the whole salad.

However, separate leftover salad and dressing until ready to eat. 

Also, the toasted quinoa and almonds, if using, should be added right before serving to prevent sogginess. 

The Tofu Feta Cheese, for instance, adds a savory aspect to the salad mixed with the sweetness of the strawberries and toasted quinoa, nuts, and crispy vegetables. 

What to serve with strawberry salad

Tips

  • Prepare Tofu Feta Cheese ahead of time.
  • Keep the toasted quinoa, nuts, and tofu feta off the salad until ready to serve. 
  • Make the dressing ahead of time and chill in the refrigerator until dressing the salad.
  • Do not dress the salad until serving.
  • Keep leftover salad separate from dressing, as well as toasted quinoa and nuts. 
  • Use a straw to remove strawberry stems.
  • Always buy organic strawberries, as strawberries appear on the 2021 Dirty Dozen List. 

Strawberries

FAQ

What salad toppings pair well with strawberry vinaigrette dressing? 

  • A combination of savory ingredients, such as Tofu Feta Cheese, almonds, crunchy quinoa, and the sweetness of the strawberries and sharp red onions, tastes excellent with strawberry dressing. 

What to serve with strawberry salad

  • I served with whole-grain crusty bread and Split Pea Soup. But savory soup, a potato dish, or a side of pasta makes for a perfectly paired meal. 

What is the best dressing to served with a strawberry salad? 

  • Any vinaigrette-based dressing works well with salads that include fruit.  Combining the acidic components from the vinegar, mixed with the sweetness of fruit and seasonings, enhances the flavors of the fruits and vegetables in salads. 

Do you need creative ways to make superfood salads? 

vegan strawberry salad
Yield: 6 servings

Vegan Strawberry Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Vegan strawberry salad is a superfood salad with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables, toasted quinoa, almonds topped with tofu feta cheese, and dressed with an oil-free strawberry vinaigrette dressing.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 pint Strawberries, stems removed, cut in halves
  • 1 head Romaine Lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup Kales, chopped
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 1 cup Red Cabbage, chopped
  • 2 Broccoli Stalk, chopped
  • 1 cup Crunchy quinoa
  • 1/2 Red onion, sliced thin
  • 6 Baby bell peppers, sliced (variety of colors)
  • 1 Enlgish Cucumbers, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup Slivered Almonds (optional)
  • 1 cup Tofu Feta Cheese (optional)

Strawberry Vinaigrette Dressing

  • 1 cup fresh organic strawberries
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 small shallot
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup or date syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup champagne vinegar (or substitute balsamic vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

Toasted Quinoa

  1. If using prewashed quinoa, measure it, transfer it to a medium-sized bowl, and fill it with water.
  2. Next, pour the contents into a fine-mesh sieve, then rinse the quinoa again with fresh water and set aside.
  3. When using unwashed quinoa, measure the quinoa and place it into a bowl.
  4. Then, fill it with clean water and allow it to soak for approximately 20-30 minutes.
  5. Now, use a wire whisk to swish the quinoa around to remove the soapy residue that comes from the quinoa.
  6. Next, pour the contents into a fine-mesh sieve, then rinse the quinoa again with fresh water and set aside.
  7. Using a large non-stick pan, heat the pan to medium-low. Put the rinsed quinoa into the saute pan, creating a thin layer. Shake the pan to level out the quinoa. 
  8. Once the quinoa gets hot, the water is absorbed, and the quinoa starts making a popping noise.
  9. Keep moving the quinoa around the pan with a wooden spoon until the quinoa grains start to brown. It browns quickly, so don't leave it unattended. 
  10. When the quinoa is brown and smells nutty, please remove it from the pan from the heat and allow it to cool completely. 
  11. Store it in a container with a top in the refrigerator.


Tofu Feta (optional)

  1. 1 cup tofu feta cheese

Strawberry Vinaigrette

  1. Add all the ingredients to a blender cup.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Cover and place in the refrigerator until chilled.

Preparing the Salad

  1. Chop the Romain lettuce, kale, red cabbage, and broccoli stalks. Mix and place in the base of a large bowl or platter.
  2. Now, prepare the rest of the vegetables and strawberries.
  3. Arrange the vegetables and strawberries on top of the base of the salad
  4. Add the toasted quinoa and almonds to the salad
  5. Toss ingredients and serve on individual plates.
  6. Add a small amount of tofu feta cheese to the center of each salad.
  7. Serve with the dressing on top or the side.


Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 280Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 4mgSodium 173mgCarbohydrates 42gFiber 12gSugar 16gProtein 14g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

© Kathy Carmichael
Cuisine: American / Category: Salads
«

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Skip to Recipe