Sautéed Mushroom and Spinach Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-26 · Updated 2026-05-26

Nutty quinoa tossed with sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a sweet balsamic glaze for a hearty vegetarian salad. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe (gluten-free), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms
• 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp honey

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water, then combine with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and sauté for 5-6 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and brown on edges.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 3 cups fresh spinach leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and garlic is fragrant.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp honey until combined.
6. Step 6: Combine the cooked quinoa and sautéed vegetables in a large bowl, then drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top and toss gently to coat before serving warm or at room temperature.