Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
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Published Feb 12, 2021, Updated Sep 14, 2021
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This vibrant roasted butternut squash salad features kale, dried cranberries and roasted walnuts in an easy balsamic dressing.
As you may or may not know, I love kale. It’s loaded with good-for-you nutrients like iron, calcium, vitamins A, C and K, and a host of antioxidants. I’ll add kale to just about any dish, but I think salads are where kale really shines.
This recipe is basically vintage at this point! I made it in 2012 for a Thanksgiving party and it was such a hit that I shared it on the blog. Since then, the photos have gotten a few face lifts, but the recipe has stayed the same. I’m sharing it again because it’s such a good recipe, I think it needs more time in the spotlight!
Butternut Squash Salad Ingredients
- lacinato kale (aka dinosaur kale) – I love using lacinto kale in this recipe! If you’re not a huge fan of kale, I recommend starting with lacinto kale. It’s a little more mild tasting in my opinion!
- spring mix
- dried cranberries – These add just the right amount of sweetness to this salad!
- kalamata olives
- walnuts – you could use any type of nut you’d prefer, but I really love the way walnuts taste in this salad.
- bell pepper – any color will do. I like using red, orange or yellow.
- butternut squash – if you’re not a fan of butternut squash, you could also use roasted sweet potatoes
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- sea salt and black pepper
How to Make Roasted Butternut Squash
The first step of this recipe is to make the roasted butternut squash. This step takes the longest so be sure to start this first!
You’ll start by preheating your oven to 400ºF. Cut the bottom of your squash to create a stable base and then use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. After peeling, cut off the top of the squash and then cut in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon.
Cut the squash into 1-inch cubes and toss the in olive oil and sea salt. Spread the cubes onto a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, turning once or twice during cooking. The butternut squash is ready when all of the pieces are tender and some have brown spots.
Assembling the Salad
Toast walnuts – while the butternut squash is roasting, toast the walnuts on a separate baking sheet for 6-8 minutes in the oven heated to 400ºF. Remove and let cool before chopping into bite sized pieces.
Prep kale – Stack the kale leaves and roll into tight bundles. Use a sharp knife to slice the rolls thinly to create shredded pieces.
Rehydrate cranberries – Pour 1/2 cup of water over the cranberries and leave them to soften until you’re ready to toss the salad. You’ll drain the water before adding the cranberries to the salad. (This step is optional.)
Make dressing – Whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and pepper in your salad bowl.
Assemble – Add all of the salad ingredients to the bowl with the dressing and toss to combine. Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. The longer the kale marinates, the softer it will become.
More Kale Salads to Try:
- Garlicky Kale Salad
- Massaged Kale Salad
- Kale & Cabbage Pad Thai Salad
- Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
- Butternut Squash Kale Salad
- Sweet Potato Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Detox Salad
- Kale Salad with Peanut Dressing
More Healthy Salad Dressing Ideas:
- Mexican Goddess Dressing
- Maple Dressing
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- Turmeric Tahini Dressing
- Avocado Caesar Dressing
- Chili Almond Dressing
- Zesty Tahini
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of Lacinato kale, washed and de-stemmed
- 2 cups of spring mix
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup of kalamata olives, pitted and cut into slivers
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small butternut squash
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Dressing
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Prep squash: Prepare the squash by peeling it, cutting it in half and scraping out the seeds. Cut the squash into 1 inch cubes, toss them 1 Tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread the cubes onto a baking sheet.
- Roast squash: Roast the squash for 30-40 minutes, turning once or twice, until all the pieces are tender and some have brown spots.
- Toast walnuts: While roasting the squash, toast the walnuts on a separate baking sheet for about 6-8 minutes in the 400° oven.
- Cool: Remove both items from oven when finished cooking and let cool. Once walnuts are cool enough to handle, chop them into bite-size pieces.
- Slice kale: While butternut is roasting, stack the kale leaves and roll them into tight bundles, then slice very thinly with a sharp knife to create shredded pieces.
- Soften cranberries: Pour 1/2 cup of water over the cranberries and leave them to soften until you are ready to toss the salad. Drain before adding to the salad. (This step is optional).
- Make dressing: In your salad bowl, whisk together dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic, sea salt and pepper. Add all the remaining salad ingredients and toss everything together. Let the salad marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour before serving. Serve cold or at room temp.
- Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last 1-2 days.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
THIS SALAD IS FANTASTIC THANK YOU!!! Made this last friday and packed in a mason jar for today. Was absolutely delish! Left out the avocado with the wait time and it was still worthy of company!! Dressing is sensational too. Used a bit of fancy aged fig balsamic with my standard balsamic. YUMMY!!
WOO! This is seriously the best, Suzi. I am so glad you’re loving this salad and it turned out great for you. The fig balsamic sounds like the perfect addition to this salad. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!