This simple spinach salad is so easy to throw together, yet so elegant in flavour. The nuttiness of the seeds and the sweetness of the cranberries are the perfect combination with the baby spinach.
Simple spinach salad is the easiest salad that you will ever make. It takes no time to put together and it’s packed with flavour and nutrients.
I often forget to make a side dish and only realize it when I’m taking the chicken out of the oven. This is my go-to in those scenarios. So, at least a couple of times per week.
The ingredients don’t require cooking, washing or chopping so no mess and no fuss.Â
I always keep my fridge stocked with spinach and have all the seeds on hand. As for the parmesan, it almost exclusively gets used up in this salad.Â
Preparing Spinach Salad
IngredientsÂ
Spinach: Spinach is a leafy green vegetable. It is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants and is often sold pre-washed and ready to eat making it super easy to use in a salad.Â
Salad Topper: This is a simple mix of roasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries. This is the salad topper that I use. It lasts me a really long time and I throw it on everything.
Hemp hearts: Sometimes also referred to as hemp seeds, hemp hearts are actually the inside of hemp seeds. They are  30% fat and are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Hemp hearts also contain protein which is always a great addition to a kid’s meal.
Parmeggiano Reggiano: It is a hard Italian cheese, made from cow’s milk and is aged for at least a year. It is only made in very specific regions in Italy therefore the name can only be applied to cheese originating from these areas.
How to Make This Simple Spinach Salad
Start by adding the spinach to a medium bowl. Next, add the salad topper and hemp seeds and you’re almost done.
Lastly, take some fresh parmesan cheese and shred it to your preference.Â
You can use a cheese slicer and just slice off small bits, or use a peeling knife and do the same. You can also use a microplane, cheese grater, or simply crumble some right into the bowl.
Substitutions
Baby spinach: If you are not a fan of spinach or don’t have any on hand try using mixed greens or arugula instead. Arugula will be more flavourful so be mindful of that.
Salad Topper: You can get the individual ingredients separately instead of getting Salad Topper. If you don’t like or don’t have dried cranberries you can use raisins instead.
Serving Simple Spinach Salad
Serve the spinach salad with one of our favourite dressings. I love to use either the lemon dressing or the maple Dijon dressing with his salad.
The flavours of the salad are relatively mild so the sourness of the lemon or the tanginess of the mustard are the perfect balance to the slightly nutty and slightly sweet salad.
 
This salad is the perfect pairing to any pasta
like our lasagna or most chicken dishes like our stuffed chicken thighs.You can also easily top it with a can of tuna, grilled salmon or baked chicken breast and make it a complete lunch.
Check out some dishes that go perfectly with a simple spinach salad:
If you like this recipe make sure to give us five stars by clicking on the stars in the recipe below.Â
Simple Spinach Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 tbsp salad topper a mix of toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp lemon dressing OR
- 2 Tbsp maple Dijon dressing
Instructions
- Put the fresh baby spinach in a medium bowl.2 cups fresh spinach
- Add hemp seeds and salad topper (or 1/2 tbsp sunflower seeds and 1/2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, 1/2 tbsp dried cranberries).1 tbsp hemp seeds, 1 tbsp salad topper
- Grate fresh Parmigiano Reggiano on top.1 tbsp freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- Toss with our lemon dressing of maple Dijon dressing.2 tbsp lemon dressing OR, 2 Tbsp maple Dijon dressing
Nutrition
Let us know in the comments if you added something new. I love changing things up with new ideas.Â
