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This Trader Joe’s Salad is amazing! It’s pretty and delicious and has become a favorite at our house.
I am lucky enough to live five minutes from a Trader Joe’s Grocery Store. I know not everyone is as fortunate to live near one. Today’s salad is called Trader Joe’s Salad for a reason, all the ingredients can be bought at Trader Joes. But don’t despair if you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s, you can still make this salad. I will provide you with substitutions for you. Trust me, you want to make this salad.
I actually made this salad three times in the last week and each time I made it the first thing I was asked was, “Is it on the blog?” The recipe totally went viral on Facebook the first time I posted it and we have been in love with it ever since. It is so darn pretty and easy to make!
Ingredients Needed
- Arugula. The salad starts with a base of arugula.
- Spinach.
- Dried Cranberries
- Quattro Formaggio shredded cheese. This is a blend of Asiago, Fontina, Parmesan and Mild Provolone.
- Quinoa. I used the Tri Color Quinoa blend from Trader Joes.
- Corn. I roasted my own corn but you could use canned corn
- Pepitas. I think sunflower seeds would be great too.
- Trader Joe’s Bruschetta. You could easily use chopped tomatoes for this or make your own bruschetta blend. The Trader Joe’s version is found in the refrigerator section.
- Trader Joe’s Parmesan Ranch Dressing or your favorite Ranch dressing.
How to Make Trader Joe’s Salad
You are going to need a nice long, flat or round dish for this salad as part of the appeal is how pretty it looks when you layer everything into the dish.
- Place a layer of arugula in bottom of dish.
- Add a pile of spinach right in the middle of the dish.
- Layer the cooked quinoa, shredded cheese, and dried cranberries on one side of the spinach.
- Layer the corn, pepitas, and tomatoes on the other side of the spinach.
- Drizzle with dressing.
- Toss right before serving.
Tips
- If you are just enjoying the salad yourself, you can just toss everything in a bowl with the dressing, no need to layer it.
- If you can’t find pepitas, sunflower seeds are also delicious in the salad.
Check out more of my favorite salad recipe:
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Trader Joe’s Salad
Ingredients
- 1 c quinoa cooked. I used the Trader Joe’s tri-color
- 1 bag baby arugula coarsely chopped
- 1 bag baby spinach
- 3/4 can corn drained or 2 ears of corn roasted and cut off the cob
- 1 container Trader Joe’s fresh bruschetta sauce liquid drained (found in refrigerator section) or fresh chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup dried cranberries.
- 1 cup salted pepitas or pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- 1 cup Trader Joes Quattro Formaggio shredded cheese blend of Asiago, Fontina, Parmesan and Mild Provolone
- ½ bottle Trader Joe’s Parmesan Ranch Dressing found in refrigerator section or favorite Ranch Dressing
Instructions
- Place a layer of arugula in bottom of dish.
- Layer all other ingredients on top of arugula
- Drizzle with dressing
- Toss.
Nutrition Facts:
Lisa says
I can’t wait to try this! What are some of your favorite things to buy at Trader Joe’s? I just love that store! Thanks for another great recipe!
Leigh Anne says
Lisa,
That’s a long list but some of my top favorites are their corn salsa, organic popcorn (the popped one), frozen brown rice, I buy all my nuts and dried fruit there, cilantro salad dressing in addition to the one I used on this salad, I also like a lot of their cookies (the mini chocolate chip ones especially)
Bea says
Hi Leigh Anne, I’m new to your blog, but WOW. This salad is insane! The flavors blend so nicely and it looks so pretty… I love TJ’s and this salad will be my new go-to. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration. 🙂
Leigh Anne says
Welcome to the blog Bea! Glad you found me and I can’t get enough of that salad!! Enjoy!
Jessie says
We enjoyed this salad. I changed it slightly to make it vegan by omitting the cheese and substituting cannellini beans. I made my own vegan style ranch dressing using unsweetened coconut milk, white wine vinegar, just mayo (dairyfree eggfree mayo), garlic and parsley. Thanks for the good recipe.
Leigh Anne says
So glad you enjoyed it.
Peggy says
I, too, have a trader Joe’s salad. I tell my friends to stand where the steamed lentils and beets are, in the fresh veggie section and I tell them to grab those, and then, everything under them and beside them ! I also turn around and get the wonderful crisp baby heirloom tomatoes, a bit of red onion. It’s all so very yummy.
My salad also has the herbed goat cheese from TJ’s.
It’s really good!!
Leigh Anne says
Sounds yummy!!
lyn says
For me, you hit it out of the park every time. Your recipes are just so ‘usable’ for everyday and the invite-people -over-to-dine times. Wow – just the most helpful and interesting and practical, nicely and prettily presented. Thank you. Your are my go-to over and over.
Leigh Anne says
Thank you so much Lyn! Your comment means a lot to me because that is exactly what my goal is. Useable, everyday, yummy recipes that everyone loves. Thanks so much for coming to the blog!
cathy hayden says
are there names for these salads?
Leigh Anne says
I am not sure I understand your question Cathy?