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5 from 15 votes
by Carrie Walderlast updated October 11, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.
This healthy spinach blueberry salad recipe is made with goat cheese, walnuts, avocado, mint, and a simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It’s super quick to make, packed with flavour and nutrition!
I’m always looking for more ways to enjoy blueberries when they’re ripe, juicy, and in season! If you are too, then this salad is perfect for you 🙂
I love how quickly this salad with blueberries comes together – you basically just make the balsamic vinaigrette, throw all the ingredients into a bowl (no cooking involved!), then toss everything in the dressing before serving.
As a dietitian, blueberries are one of my favourite fruits, packed with nutrition benefits! I’ve also shared some possible ingredient swaps/additions and some ideas for what to serve this one with to make it a complete meal. Enjoy!
Want more summer salad recipe inspiration? Check out my roundup of 20+ easy, healthy summer salad recipes for more ideas!
Recipe Ingredients Needed
All you need to make this blueberry spinach salad are 11 simple ingredients:
- baby spinach
- fresh blueberries
- raw walnuts
- avocado
- goat cheese
- fresh mint
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- lemon juice
- garlic powder (or fresh garlic)
- honey
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Ingredient Modifications & Swaps
- Baby spinach can be swapped for a similar leafy green, like arugula, baby kale, or a spring mix.
- Walnuts can be swapped with pecans or even almonds, if desired.
- Goat cheese can be swapped with feta.
- For a vegan version, you can use a dairy-free alternative to goat cheese. The honey in the dressing can be swapped for maple syrup.
- If you want to add more bulk to this salad, feel free to add in a grain like cooked quinoa, farro, or couscous!
What To Serve With Blueberry Salad
This blueberry salad is perfect for pairing alongside your favourite protein dish, such as:
- baked salmon or another fish
- chicken
- crispy baked tofu
- sautéed shrimp
- seared scallops
- hard-boiled eggs
You can either serve it beside the protein, or top it with the protein and mix it all together 🙂
If you want to pair it with a starch, it would be great with some crispy roasted potatoes, cooked quinoa, or cooked farro as well!
How To Make In Advance
Because spinach salads can get soggy if making in advance, I’d recommend making the dressing and storing it in an airtight container or jar in the fridge until you’re ready to serve the salad.
The rest of the ingredients can be plated really quickly, but if you want to mix some of it in advance, I’d recommend leaving the avocado and mint until serving to prevent browning.
Leftovers will keep for a day or two in the fridge!
TIP: the balsamic vinaigrette used in this recipe is my personal go-to! If you love it as much as I do, I’ve given it a stand-alone post so you can bookmark it or print it out to pair with all sorts of salads 🙂
Blueberry Nutrition Benefits
Blueberries are an excellent source ofdietary fibre, with one cup providing 3.6 grams (14% of your daily needs).
They’re also a great source of micronutrients, like:
- vitamin C
- vitamin K
- vitamin B6
- manganese
Blueberries are also rich inantioxidants called anthocyanins, which provide many protective health benefits.
Spinach Nutrition Benefits
Spinach is an awesome source of many vitamins and minerals, such as:
- vitamin A
- vitamin C
- vitamin K
- folate
- calcium
This leafy green is also packed with differentphytonutrients(plant compounds) that offerantioxidantfunctions, helping to fight cellular damage.
More Healthy Blueberry Recipes
- Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Tahini Smoothie
- Watermelon Feta Blueberry Salad
- Blueberry Steel Cut Oatmeal
- Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies
Did you give thisSpinach Blueberry Salad Recipea try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me onInstagramorPinterest– seeing your creations always makes my day. You can alsosubscribe to my email listto never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe:20-Minute Spinach Blueberry Salad
This healthy spinach blueberry salad recipe is made with goat cheese, walnuts, avocado, mint, and a simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It's super quick to make, packed with flavour and nutrition!
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
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5 from 15 votes
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Ingredients
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 1 medium-large avocado (cut into chunks)
- 1/2 cup goat cheese (crumbled)
- 1/4 cup fresh mint (torn into small pieces)
- Salt + pepper, to taste
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 a lemon, juice only
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt + pepper, to taste
Instructions
Make balsamic vinaigrette by adding all dressing ingredients into a small bowl or jar with a lid. Whisk or shake vigorously to combine.
Add all salad ingredients to a large serving plate or salad bowl. Pour dressing on top and toss to combine.
Serve + enjoy!
Notes
*SERVING SIZE: This recipe will serve about 4 people as a side salad. If enjoying as an entree salad, it’ll serve 2 people.
*RECIPE MODIFICATIONS + SWAPS:
- Baby spinach can be swapped for a similar leafy green, like arugula, baby kale, or a spring mix!
- Walnuts can be swapped with pecans or even almonds, if desired.
- Goat cheese can be swapped with feta.
- For a vegan version, you can use a dairy-free alternative to goat cheese. The honey in the dressing can be swapped for maple syrup.
- If you want to add more bulk to this salad, feel free to add in a grain like cooked quinoa, farro, or couscous!
*SERVING IDEAS: This blueberry salad is perfect for pairing alongside your favourite protein dish, such as:
- baked salmon or other fish
- chicken
- crispy baked tofu
- sautéed shrimp
- seared scallops
- hard-boiled eggs
You can either serve it beside the protein, or top it with the protein and mix it all together 🙂
*LEFTOVERS + MAKE AHEAD OPTION:
- Because spinach salads can get soggy if making in advance, I’d recommend making the dressing and storing it in an airtight container or jar in the fridge until you’re ready to serve the salad.
- The rest of the ingredients can be plated really quickly, but if you want to mix some of it in advance, I’d recommend leaving the avocado and mint until serving to prevent browning.
- Leftovers will keep for a day or two in the fridge!
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Keyword: avocado, balsamic dressing, blueberries, goat cheese, spinach, walnuts
Author: Carrie Walder
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Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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Gluten-Free Recipes Salads Vegetarianavocado blueberries cheese mint nuts spinach
originally published July 5, 2022 — last updated October 11, 2023
11 comments Leave a Comment »
5 from 15 votes (10 ratings without comment)
Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe
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Rae — Reply
this looks like the perfect summer salad 🤤 I cant wait to try!-
Carrie Walder — Reply
Thank you so much, Rae!! I am hear for blueberry season 🙂
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Kimberly Allen — Reply
Here you go again, Carrie! This salad was amazing. It didn’t take me 20 minutes because I always keep your balsamic dressing in the refrigerator! I did use feta because that what I had but next time I will definitely use the goat cheese. Thank you again!❤️-
Carrie Walder — Reply
Aw thank you so much for the kind words, Kimberly! So happy to hear you enjoyed this one ANd that you had the balsamic dressing on hand! I love that so much!!! Oh I think this goes just as well with feta as goat as well 🙂
Can’t wait to hear what you make next xx
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marcy — Reply
love it, perfect for a summer or winter day, thank you!-
Carrie Walder — Reply
Thank you so much, Marcy! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this blueberry salad 🙂
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Kathy Sawin — Reply
This salad is a winner due to the dressing. The addition of lemon and honey to the EVOO and good balsamic is the key. I plan to serve it with a Christmas buffet adding pears pomegranate seeds for color.-
Carrie Walder — Reply
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe. The balsamic dressing is one of my favourites – I think I have at least 12 recipes on here that use it haha.
If you’re looking for a Christmas version – I actually have a popular roasted pear salad OR a pomegranate salad that both use the dressing too. I love where your head is at with the pears + pomegranate 😉
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Diana Baird — Reply
I thought this was outstanding so good.. omg ….-
Carrie Walder — Reply
Thank you for the kind words, Diana!! So happy you enjoyed this simple salad 🙂
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