Spinach-Avocado Power Salad with Sesame Seeds
A nutrient-dense salad featuring magnesium-rich spinach and avocado to support skin health during Whole30 reintegration. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 12 minutes pairs (about 100g), packed baby spinach, medium, sliced avocado, toasted sesame seeds into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 315 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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
- 5 cups (about 100g), packed baby spinach
- 1 medium, sliced avocado
- 1/2 cup (canned, drained and rinsed, no added sugar) chickpeas
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium (juice only) lime
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until emulsified.
- Step 2: Place 5 cups packed baby spinach in a large bowl, add 1/2 cup drained chickpeas, and pour the dressing over, tossing gently until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Divide the dressed spinach among two plates, then arrange 1 sliced avocado on top of each portion.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over each salad just before serving to add crunch and magnesium.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spinach-Avocado Power Salad with Sesame Seeds take to make?
Total time is about 12 minutes (12 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spinach-Avocado Power Salad with Sesame Seeds?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, sliced avocado from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spinach-Avocado Power Salad with Sesame Seeds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spinach-Avocado Power Salad with Sesame Seeds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Spinach-Avocado Power Salad with Sesame Seeds vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
