Strawberry Hemp Salad

Do you know why most people grow tired of eating salads? I’ll tell you why - because most salads are BORING - a total snooze fest, lacking flavor and a variety of textures. Well, not this Strawberry Hemp Salad. It’s vibrant, loaded with flavor, texture and good for you plant-based nutrients. I created this recipe to specifically show you how to build a better, more enjoyable and delicious salad. Let’s dive in!

Choose the right base

First, I started with a variety of greens, mixing spinach with arugula for this salad. Spinach is one of the most mild greens. So if you’re not a salad lover, choosing spinach as a base is a good place to start, as the taste is less bitter than other greens. Arugula is a more spicy green, so I added just a touch to give this recipe a little kick to balance the sweetness of the strawberries. Also, make sure your greens are fresh and completely dry before dressing them.

Dress the salad

Next, I dressed the greens with a delicious and creamy lemon tahini dressing. As most dressings contain an acidic component, dressing your greens before adding your toppings will help to cut down the bitterness. However, you need a really good, quality dressing, like this lemon tahini dressing, which is so simple to make. Simply combine tahini (hulled sesame seeds), lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic powder and salt and whisk to combine. Add about two table spoons of dressing to your greens, then simply use your hands (or tongs) to toss and fully coat the greens. Dressing your greens is a key step to enhancing the flavor of your salad and making it more enjoyable. Don’t forget this step!

Add a little sweetness

Strawberries are the perfect addition to this salad! I like adding berries to my salads, as they add a touch of sweetness, but not too much. I simply sliced five large strawberries and tossed them over the bed of greens, which amplified the flavor ten fold! Adding strawberries, and berries in general, also increases the nutritional quality of any meal. Berries are little nutritional powerhouses, loaded with fiber and antioxidants, helping us to manage our weight, lower cholesterol, manage blood sugar levels and promote a healthy digestive tract, among many other benefits. If you need more salad recipes that include berries, I also recommend making my Sweet & Savory Blueberry Kale Salad. Finally, as carrots are a sweeter vegetable, I added shredded carrots to this salad, to help offset the bitterness of the arugula.

Don’t forget the crunch

Including a variety of textures in our food is critical to helping us enjoy eating. Lack of texture is a huge reason why we get tired of eating salads. To amp up the crunch factor in this salad, I added toasted pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds and chopped bell peppers. The hemp seeds also add It also add plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote a healthy heart and lower cholesterol. To make your salads more delightful, you can also add crunchy veggies like celery, radishes, cucumbers and carrots.

Make this recipe, and you’ll have lunch on the table in no time, as this salad and dressing comes together in a matter of minutes. In addition, not only does the salad taste incredible, but with 17 grams protein and 7 grams of dietary fiber, it’s is loaded with plant-based goodness to keep you fuller longer. This is truly a flavor-packed and filling vegan meal! Also, remember that you want to choose quality, fresh ingredients for your salad. Spinach, arugula and strawberries won’t last for more than 5-7 days in your refrigerator. So, in thinking about making this salad, use the ingredients soon after purchasing them! Also, you’ll have plenty of dressing left, so feel free to increase the ingredient amounts to make more salad to share. Now, I’d love to hear from you. If you make this salad, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!