Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (2024)

This delicious roasted butternut squash salad recipe combines the perfect blend of flavors and textures for a healthy and satisfying meal. Perfect for the fall season!

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Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (1)

Is it suitable for my diet?

This warm salad is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian as well as vegan (If you eat honey. If not, then omit the dressing). It does not contain any nuts, nor dairy products. It is also low in sodium and has no refined sugar added.

Plus, it is a great meal option for those who follow the Mediterranean diet.

It is without a doubt one of the fall salad recipes you will fall in love with.

Serve it as a main, side or appetizer and enjoy it warm or cold!

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (2)

How to make roasted butternut squash salad

Tools:

  • Baking tray with edge/sheet pan – a casserole dish will also work just fine.
  • Baking parchment paper – optional, but recommended for an easy cleanup.
  • Chopping board & knife – make sure the knife is sharp.
  • Spatula – or a wooden spoon or anything to mix the squash when roasting.
  • Serving bowl – or a large plate (optional, see “useful tips” section).
  • Glass, jar & spoon – or anything to prepare the salad dressing.

Ingredients:

  • Main: Butternut squash, quinoa, pomegranate, avocados.
  • Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil.
  • Other: Lemon, honey.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (3)

Process:

Note: The detailed method can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Roast diced squash with a simple salt, pepper seasoning and a drizzle of olive oil until ready.

Cook quinoa and prep the pomegranate, avocado and honey dressing. When the butternut squash is ready, mix all the ingredients together and serve!

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (4)

What to serve with this salad?

Pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon or cast iron pork chops are delicious options. I also like air fryer chicken thighs or any other protein dinner you like.

Useful tips

  • Look for ready-to-eat avocados – They should be soft to touch and usually have almost black color when ready (this is not always the rule, but it helps make a choice).
  • Getting the seeds out of pomegranate can be challenging and quite messy. I use a simple method how to deseed a pomegranate and it always works. Try it too.
  • There are 3 kinds of quinoa available in stores. Red, white and black. Sometimes you can also buy a combination of those. Use anything you like or is available at your local supermarket.
  • Serve this roasted butternut squash salad in the same tray/pan that you roasted it in. That way it will stay warmer for longer!
  • You can also add fresh arugula to the salad. Or feta cheese.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (5)

Frequently asked questions:

What vegetables go well with butternut squash?

Parsnips, carrots and beets. All these can be roasted and enjoyed as a side with meats of your choice!

Do you peel butternut squash before you use it?

You don’t need to if you are planning on eating its skin as well. If not, I suggest doing so to shorten the cooking time.

Can I make this salad with a different squash?

Yes, you can. If you have some other variety on hand, go ahead and use it.

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash?

This fall vegetable is delicious roasted or in salads. It can be easily turned into a soup and another tasty version is stuffing it with various fillings and roasting in the oven.

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (6)

More fall recipes:

  • Roasted Fall Vegetables
  • Minestrone Soup – Because fall is the soup season!
  • Sweet Potato Lentil Curry – Made in a pressure cooker, this is a delicious dinner!
  • Split Pea Power Ball
  • Apple Chickpea Salad
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (7)

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (8)

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5 from 2 votes

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

This delicious roasted butternut squash salad recipe combines the perfect blend of flavors and textures for a healthy and satisfying meal. Perfect for the fall season!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 (main) or 8 (side)

Calories: 486

Author: Julia

Ingredients

Salad:

  • 5 cups butternut squash (cubes), see note 1
  • 1 teaspoon salt + some extra
  • black pepper , to taste
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil , see note 3
  • 1 cup quinoa (200 grams), see note 4
  • 2 avocados (medium), see note 5
  • ½ lemon (optional)

Dressing:

Instructions

Notes

  1. You will need about 2 pounds (1 kilo) of whole butternut squash or 21 ounces (600 grams) of squash without its skin.
  2. To save time you can buy ready peeled squash (check if your local supermarket carries it).
  3. I don’t recommend substituting olive oil with another kind.
  4. Use any quinoa you like or can buy (red, white or black).
  5. Make sure to pick ripe avocados!
  6. You will need about ½ small lemon. Also, you can use the other half to drizzle over avocado, so it does not turn brown.
  7. I like to add about ½ teaspoon of salt in the water so that the quinoa will not taste bland.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Butternut squash salad, Squash Salad Recipe, Warm salad

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Amount per Serving

Calories

486

% Daily Value*

Fat

25

g

38

%

Saturated Fat

4

g

25

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

4

g

Monounsaturated Fat

Sodium

598

mg

26

%

Potassium

1357

mg

39

%

Carbohydrates

63

g

21

%

Fiber

13

g

54

%

Sugar

10

g

11

%

Protein

10

g

20

%

Vitamin A

18756

IU

375

%

Vitamin C

51

mg

62

%

Calcium

118

mg

12

%

Iron

4

mg

22

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

** As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tried this recipe?Follow @happyfoodstube and tag #happyfoodstube

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Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe - Happy Foods Tube (2024)

FAQs

Why is my roasted butternut squash soggy? ›

There could be a few reasons why your roasted butternut squash is turning out soggy: Overcrowding: If you overcrowd the baking sheet with butternut squash pieces, they will release more moisture and steam, making it difficult for them to roast properly.

Do I need to peel butternut squash before roasting? ›

Learn how to roast butternut squash the EASY WAY without any prep work. No pre-peeling, chopping or deseeding (yes really!). Just whole-roast it in the oven until soft and tender.

How to roast butternut squash Jamie Oliver? ›

Place the squash in one layer in a roasting tray and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the seeds, cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until the skin of the squash is soft, then remove the foil and cook for another 10 minutes until the squash is golden and crisp.

Why is my roasted butternut squash watery? ›

The key to avoiding watery butternut squash is to roast it rather than steam it. Steaming butternut squash causes the vegetable to absorb more water and doesn't impart much flavor. Roasting the squash prevents this and caramelizes the vegetable's natural sugars, adding another layer of flavor to your dish.

Can you eat butternut squash skin after roasting? ›

Next time you roast a squash like acorn, butternut or honeynut, try leaving the skins on and give them a nibble. Be sure to scrub the skin well, Joyce recommends, to remove any dirt or debris. The pleasantly chewy texture may just surprise you, plus you can never go wrong with more fiber.

Why do my fingers feel weird after cutting butternut squash? ›

Raw butternut squash can cause some people to develop an allergic skin reaction called “squash hands.” Wearing gloves while handling the fruit or purchasing prepared butternut squash can help you prevent this skin reaction. A 1% hydrocortisone cream can help alleviate squash hands symptoms.

Can dogs have butternut squash? ›

Generally, butternut squash is safe to feed to most pooches, unless your vet has advised otherwise. As a guide, we would recommend feeding small dogs no more than 1 or 2 teaspoons of butternut squash, whilst bigger dogs can eat up to 3 or 4 tablespoons of butternut squash.

How long to roast a butternut squash whole? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. ...
  2. Wash your squash and, using a sharp knife, carefully poke 10-12 holes the squash.
  3. Place the squash in your prepared baking dish.
  4. Roast for 60-80 minutes (if using a bigger squash, it will take longer).
Nov 3, 2021

Is butternut squash skin good for you? ›

Butternut squash is delicious and packed with vitamins. Choose firm squash that feel heavy for their size. You don't even need to remove the skin; just make sure you wash it well as it goes soft when cooking. Squash is packed with vitamin A, which helps us see in the dark!

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Is there a difference between roasting and baking squash? ›

Most recipes say to either bake or roast butternut squash—but what's the difference? While both cooking methods will turn the tough, raw gourd into a soft, sweet ingredient, roasting butternut squash is the more common process for achieving browned, crispy edges and a creamy interior.

How do you know when butternut squash is done roasting? ›

Butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes, should be perfectly roasted after about 25 to 35 minutes in an oven heated to 400 degrees F. When it's done, the squash should be lightly browned and easily pierced with a fork.

What is the clear stuff coming out of my butternut squash? ›

Butternut squash contains a sticky, sap-like substance that is released when the fruit (squash is technically a fruit) is cut. The liquid is so strong that it can harden into protective scab if the squash becomes cut or damaged—much like a tree.

How do you give squash more flavor? ›

Brown Nicely When cooking summer squash, don't be afraid of a little browning. A nicely browned surface adds great flavor. 5. Partner Strategically Finally, balance squash's milder taste with stronger flavors like chilies, curry, ginger, garlic, lemon, goat cheese and so on.

Why is my roasted squash mushy? ›

Don't overcrowd the pan: When roasting or sautéing butternut squash, make sure that you don't overcrowd the pan. If the pan is too crowded, the squash will steam rather than roast or sauté, which can cause it to become mushy.

How to keep butternut squash from getting mushy? ›

Make sure all of the squash is coated with oil. Place in oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once, or until squash is golden brown and fork tender. Don't overcook it or it will get mushy.

Why is my butternut squash mushy? ›

Squashes behave very differently when cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. Generally, a squash that is roasted in the oven is going to have a much softer texture, one that can get mushy if mixed with other ingredients, but making it ideal for a purée, soup, or being mashed.

How do you cook squash so it doesn't get soggy? ›

How Do You Cook Zucchini and Squash So It's Not Soggy or Mushy?
  1. Slice the zucchini and squash thicker. Think closer to ⅓ to ½ inch instead of the standard ⅛-inch. ...
  2. Don't overcook. The most common reason that zucchini or squash get soggy is that it's been cooked for too long. ...
  3. Serve right away.
Jul 9, 2022

How do you get the moisture out of butternut squash? ›

All you have to do is spread them out over a baking sheet or two (if they're piled up the moisture won't escape as well) and roast at say 425F until they're mostly cooked, a bit shrunken down, and obviously not as wet. Your idea of grilling should work fine too, just maybe a little more work.

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