Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad (A CAVA-Inspired Bowl)

Name: Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad (A CAVA-Inspired Bowl)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 salmon fillet; 3 cups organic arugula; ½ – 1 cup cooked quinoa (I used ½ cup for this recipe); ½ cup sliced strawberries; ½ cup cucumber, sliced; ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved; ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese; Olive oil; Slap Ya Mama seasoning; Fresh Strawberry Salad Dressing (below)

ByNkechi Ajaeroh, MPH July 17, 2026July 17, 2026

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Looking for a healthy, high-protein summer salad? This Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad is a fresh, high-protein meal inspired by one of my favorite CAVA bowls. Made with perfectly seasoned salmon, fluffy quinoa, peppery arugula, juicy strawberries, crisp vegetables, creamy feta, and a homemade strawberry dressing, it’s an easy, restaurant-worthy salad you’ll want to make all summer long.

A Fresh, High-Protein Summer Quinoa Salad You’ll Make on Repeat!

If you ever ask my children what my favorite food is, they’ll tell you it’s salad. Honestly, I could eat salad five days a week and never get tired of it. One of the reasons I love salads so much is because they’re incredibly versatile. Add a hearty grain like quinoa and a good source of protein, and you’ve instantly transformed a simple salad into a high-protein, nutrient-packed meal that feels restaurant-worthy. If you’ve ever enjoyed the Salmon + Strawberry Sesame Bowl from CAVA, you’re going to love this homemade version. Inspired by those fresh Mediterranean flavors, this Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad combines perfectly seasoned salmon, fluffy quinoa, peppery arugula, juicy strawberries, crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy feta cheese, and my homemade fresh strawberry dressing. This healthy salad bowl is colorful, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make at home. This will be that summer salad you will make on repeat!

Looking for the perfect healthy summer salad? This Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Arugula Salad is inspired by one of my favorite restaurant bowls and combines perfectly seasoned salmon, fluffy quinoa, peppery arugula, juicy strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, and a homemade fresh strawberry dressing. It's high in protein, meal-prep friendly, and ready in about 20 minutes. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or whenever you need a fresh, satisfying meal.

As you’ll quickly discover, I love creating hearty salad bowls. Some of our favorites include my Quinoa Black Bean Salad Bowl and Deconstructed Taco Bowl, and this one has easily earned its place on that list. I’ve been making it on repeat all summer long. My husband loves it, the kiddos enjoy it, and I never seem to get tired of it. It’s fresh, filling, and proof that healthy eating never has to be bland or boring. The perfect way to use up your leftover plain cooked quinoa!

While this salad is delicious on its own, the homemade strawberry dressing is what truly brings everything together. And here’s a little bonus: once you make the dressing, you’ll find yourself drizzling it on just about every salad in your kitchen.

Fresh salmon, fluffy quinoa, peppery arugula, juicy strawberries, crunchy cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, creamy feta, and a homemade strawberry vinaigrette come together to create one of the most satisfying salads you'll ever make.

Why You’ll Love This Salmon Strawberry Grain Bowl

Ready in about 20 minutes
High in protein
This salad is a perfect use for your leftover plain cooked quinoa!
Packed with fresh summer produce
Meal-prep friendly
Naturally gluten-free
Heart-healthy ingredients
Restaurant-quality at home
Perfect for lunch or dinner
Customize it as you desire! Use a different grain if you are not feeling quinoa!

Ingredients for This Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Arugula Salad:

1 salmon fillet
3 cups organic arugula
½ – 1 cup cooked quinoa (I used ½ cup in this recipe)
½ cup sliced strawberries
½ cup cucumber, sliced
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese

For the Salmon

Dressing

Fresh Strawberry Salad Dressing

Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad (A CAVA-Inspired Bowl): Step-by-step from Scratch

I’ve been making this Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad on repeat all summer, and my family can’t get enough of it. Inspired by one of my favorite CAVA bowls, it’s fresh, colorful, protein-packed, and finished with the most delicious homemade strawberry dressing.

Season and Air Fry the Salmon
Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and drizzle it with olive oil. Season both sides generously with Slap Ya Mama seasoning. Air fry salmon at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
Prepare the Salad Ingredients
While the salmon cooks, wash and dry the arugula. Slice the strawberries, dice the cucumber, and halve the cherry tomatoes. If your quinoa isn’t already cooked, prepare it according to the package instructions and allow it to cool slightly.
Assemble the Salad
Add the arugula to a large serving bowl. Top with the cooked quinoa, strawberries, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. Place the warm salmon on top. I suggest drizzling the homemade strawberry dressing only when you are ready to eat.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve immediately while the salmon is still warm. This salad is perfect for lunch or dinner and is delicious with extra strawberry dressing on the side.

Recipe Tips for salmon strawberry Quinoa Salad:

Cook the quinoa ahead of time and let it cool before assembling the salad. This makes the salad easier to prepare and keeps the greens fresh.
Serve the salmon warm or at room temperature. Either way, it pairs beautifully with the cool, crisp salad ingredients.
Don’t overdress the salad. Start with a small amount of strawberry dressing and add more as needed.
Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
The homemade strawberry dressing will keep in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. Shake or stir well before serving.
This salad is best assembled just before serving to keep the arugula crisp and the ingredients fresh.

salmon strawberry Quinoa Salad Variations & Substitutions

One of my favorite things about this salad is how easy it is to customize. Feel free to use what you have on hand or adapt it to your dietary preferences.

Swap the Salmon

Not in the mood for salmon? Try one of these protein options instead:

Grilled chicken
Shrimp
Steak
Air fryer tofu for a vegetarian option

Choose Different Greens

Arugula adds a delicious peppery bite, but you can easily substitute it with:

Baby spinach
Mixed greens
Chopped kale

Try Another Cheese

Feta gives this salad a creamy, salty finish, but these cheeses work just as well:

Goat cheese
Fresh mozzarella
Dairy-free feta

Replace the Quinoa

Want to switch up the grains? Try:

Brown rice
Farro
Wild rice

No matter which variations you choose, you’ll still end up with a fresh, colorful, and satisfying salad that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

Make It Dairy-Free

Simply omit the feta cheese or use your favorite dairy-free alternative. That small addition makes the recipe more inclusive and is another searchable modifier.

What to Serve With This Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad

Step five: Bake the dough for 20 minutes at 300 degrees and check for doneness with a toothpick insert. I typically do not turn the bread halfway; the score helps it perfectly bake without the need for flipping. After baking, allow cooling before serving and easily break this bread apart by the "farts," or score.

Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Arugula Salad FAQs

Is this salmon strawberry quinoa salad healthy?

Yes! This salad is packed with lean protein, fiber, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from fresh vegetables, berries, salmon, and olive oil. It’s a balanced meal that’s both nourishing and satisfying.

Can I meal prep this salad?

Yes! Store each ingredient separately in airtight containers and assemble the salad just before serving. This helps keep the greens fresh and prevents the dressing from making the salad soggy.

Can I use frozen salmon?

Absolutely. Thaw the salmon completely in the refrigerator before seasoning and cooking. Once thawed, prepare it exactly as directed in the recipe.

Can I make this salad dairy-free?

Yes. Simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with your favorite dairy-free alternative. The salad will still be fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

Is quinoa necessary?

No. While quinoa adds protein and fiber, you can easily substitute it with cooked brown rice, farro, wild rice, or your favorite grain. If you love quinoa, make sure to check out my other quinoa recipes here!

Can I make the strawberry dressing ahead of time?

Yes! The homemade strawberry dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. Simply shake or stir well before serving.

Looking for a healthy, high-protein summer salad? This Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad is a fresh, high-protein meal inspired by one of my favorite CAVA bowls. Made with perfectly seasoned salmon, fluffy quinoa, peppery arugula, juicy strawberries, crisp vegetables, creamy feta, and a homemade strawberry dressing, it's an easy, restaurant-worthy salad you'll want to make all summer long.

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Here are More Strawberry Recipes to Check Out:

Refreshing Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea with Fresh Strawberries is the best iced tea recipe you will ever need!! This will be on repeat in your household throughout the summer! Fresh strawberry sweet iced tea requires fresh strawberries, and the flavors are outstanding! It’s naturally sweet, so you won’t feel guilty for drinking it all up, and boy, is it refreshing! Sweet strawberry iced tea is the most effortless summer iced teas to make! All you need are three ingredients: brewed and cooled tea, fresh strawberries, and honey. This is just the perfect healthy summer drink you need! Sweet strawberry iced tea is excellent for all summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics.

More Salads, I got You!

If you’re loving this Salmon Strawberry Quinoa Salad, I know you’ll enjoy these other fresh, flavorful salads that have become some of my favorites. Be sure to check them out:

Super healthy and easy-to-make strawberry blueberry spinach salad, aka berry spinach salad with lime olive oil vinaigrette, is loaded with nutritious antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Amazingly this spinach and berry salad calls for only a few ingredients - spinach, strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, and a simple lime olive oil vinaigrette! This strawberry blueberry spinach is low-carb, gluten-free, vegan, and easily customizable. #Salad #Spinachsalad #healthysalad #Strawberrysalad #detoxsalad #vegan #lowcarb

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