Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad recipe is healthy and perfect for fall! It's made with garlicky kale, Parmesan, and a maple Dijon glaze.

I've yet to find a butternut squash recipe I don't enjoy and this Butternut Squash Kale Salad is at the top of my list!

Butternut Squash is one of the best things about fall. Squash is a super versatile ingredient and there are countless ways to prepare it.

It's prepared with roasted butternut squash that's tossed in a blend of savory spices, along with garlicky kale, Parmesan cheese, and a sweet and tangy maple syrup Dijon mustard glaze.

I love the pairing of sweet butternut squash and smoky spices like paprika, earthy kale, sweet maple syrup, and the tanginess of freshly squeezed lemon. There is a gourmet quality to this salad, making it a great addition to a fall dinner or Thanksgiving menu.

This salad is healthy, hearty, and vegetarian while at the same time bursting with flavors and superfoods. It's great served on its own for a light meal or paired with any fall side dishes or a meaty main dish.

Jump to:

• How To Peel Butternut Squash
• How To Cut Butternut Squash
• Ingredients For Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
• How To Make Roasted Butternut Squash
• How To Make Maple Mustard Glaze
• Toss The Butternut Squash In The Maple Dijon Glaze
• How To Sauté Kale In Skillet
• Prepare The Quinoa
• What Flavors Go Well With Butternut Squash?
• How To Assemble The Salad
• What To Serve With Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
• How Long Does Butternut Squash Salad Last In The Fridge?
• Can It Be Made Ahead?
• Can This Salad Be Frozen?
• Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

How To Peel Butternut Squash

The skin of butternut squash is quite tough, so it's necessary to peel the squash before roasting in the oven. Peeling a butternut squash is easy once you get the hang of it.

All you need to peel a butternut squash is a sharp knife and a solid cutting board.

1. To peel the butternut squash simply remove the top and bottom of the squash with a sharp knife and discard in the trash or compost bin. This will give you a flat surface on both the top and bottom portion of the fruit and make it easier to peel and cut.
2. Once the top and bottom have been removed, cut the butternut squash in half. Place one of the flat surfaces of each half of squash on the cutting board.
3. Carefully remove the skin with a knife or a good quality vegetable peeler and discard in the trash or compost bin.
4. Cut each half of the squash in half again. Scoop out the seeds and membranes from the bottom portion of the squash with a large spoon. Discard the seeds and membranes.
5. Cut each half of the squash into slices and then cut the slices into chunks. It's important that the chunks are relatively the same size to ensure even cooking.

How To Cut Butternut Squash

The first step to making this salad is to peel the butternut squash and cut it into chunks. The chunks are then roasted in the oven.

The rest of the steps needed to create this salad may be completed while the butternut squash is roasting, saving time.

The kale, quinoa, and maple mustard glaze may be prepared while the squash is cooking, allowing for all of the elements to be finished at the same time.

1. Cut each half of the squash into slices and then cut the slices into chunks. This should yield roughly 6 cups of diced butternut squash.
2. It's important that the chunks are relatively the same size to ensure even cooking.

Ingredients For Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 1 Medium - Large Butternut Squash (yields 6 cups diced)
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil (split)
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
• ½ tsp. each Kosher Salt and Pepper (split)
• 1 cup Quinoa
• 2 cups Water
• 3 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
• 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Broth
• 1 tsp. Red Wine Vinegar
• 3-4 packed cups Kale (any variety)
• 4 cloves Garlic
• ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Lemon

How To Make Roasted Butternut Squash

The first step is to preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

1. Place the diced butternut squash (about 6 cups) onto a large baking sheet and drizzle with 2 Tbsp. of olive oil. Toss the squash in the oil to coat.
2. Sprinkle the squash with 1 tsp. each of garlic powder and smoked paprika, along with ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper. Toss until completely coated.
3. Place the pan in the oven and roast for 18 minutes. Remove the baking sheet after 18 minutes.

You may want to split the butternut squash in half by using two baking sheets if it does not all fit onto one sheet.

If splitting in half, simply add half of the olive oil and spices to each, making sure the butternut squash is thoroughly coated in the oil and spices.

How To Make Maple Mustard Glaze

The roasted butternut squash is tossed in a maple mustard glaze, which is added during the last 4 minutes of cooking time.

The glaze coats the squash as it cooks, creating a sweet and tangy sticky sauce. The glaze sort of works as a 'dressing' to the salad, creating a flavorful glue that holds the whole thing together.

1. Place 3 Tbsp. maple syrup, 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 2 Tbsp. vegetable broth, and 1 tsp. red wine vinegar in a small bowl.
2. Stir all of these ingredients until completely combined, using a fork or small whisk.

Toss The Butternut Squash In The Maple Dijon Glaze

The maple Dijon glaze gets poured over the squash after it has roasted for 18 minutes.

The baking sheet(s) are returned to the oven for an additional 4 minutes, creating roasted butternut squash that's savory, sweet, sticky, and tangy.

1. After 18 minutes of cook time, remove the pan from the oven and pour the glaze all over the squash.
2. Toss to coat evenly and then return the pan to the oven for an additional 4 minutes.
3. Remove the pan(s) from the oven once again and set aside.

The sugars in the maple syrup will begin to caramelize and the glaze will get a little sticky.

How To Sauté Kale In Skillet

Kale is a great addition to a butternut squash salad, because it's hearty and can stand up to all of the other flavors in the dish.

The hearty texture of kale also holds up when sautéed in a skillet and won't become watery or wilted, as can be the case with less hearty varieties of greens.

You can use any variety of kale you like. I find that Tuscan (or curly kale) or Lacinato (also known as Dinosaur kale) works great in this salad.

Other greens such as Swiss chard, arugula, or spinach may be substituted, but the texture of the salad will be affected as these varieties of greens are not as hearty and contain more water content.

1. Mince 4 cloves of garlic.
2. Chop 3-4 packed cups of kale.
3. Heat a skillet to medium and add a 1 Tbsp. of olive oil.
4. Add the chopped kale to the skillet, along with ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper.
5. Sauté the kale for 3-4 minutes, stirring often until it starts to cook down a bit.
6. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
7. After 5-6 minutes, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.

Prepare The Quinoa

Grains like quinoa are an excellent addition to butternut squash salad. The quinoa provides great texture, a nutty flavor, and makes the salad feel more like a meal.

This recipe was originally prepared using farro, but I have gone gluten free since the recipe was first published and have updated the recipe to reflect that change.

Feel free to use any variety of gluten free grains you like in place of quinoa. Lentils, wild rice, or brown rice may be used instead of quinoa.

I used tri-color quinoa to provide this dish with extra color, but any variety of quinoa is just fine.

Farro may be used if gluten is not an issue for you.

1. To make the quinoa, simply prepare 1 cup of dry quinoa according to package instructions.
2. Once the quinoa is ready, remove from the stove top and set aside.

If you love quinoa, be sure to check out this Quinoa Enchilada Casserole and Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl!

What Flavors Go Well With Butternut Squash?

Butternut squash is naturally sweet and lends itself to so many other flavors and ingredients. Much like sweet potatoes, it pairs well with any number of other herbs, spices, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, cheeses, sauces, and dressings.

The number of ingredients and flavors that pair well with butternut squash is virtually endless.

Looking for more butternut squash recipes? Don't miss these!

• Butternut Squash Sausage Kale Soup
• White Bean Butternut Squash Dip
• Butternut Squash Feta Salad
• Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
• Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries

How To Assemble The Salad

The salad can now be assembled. I find it best to layer the ingredients in a large serving bowl.

It's best to toss the ingredients together gently so that the butternut squash doesn't become mushy and fall apart.

1. Add half of cooked quinoa, roasted squash, kale, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Toss this layer together.
2. Add the remaining half and toss together again. Do this until all the ingredients are combined.

Make sure to get all that glaze from the roasting pan and all the garlic from the pan. You don't want to exclude any of those flavors.

What To Serve With Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

I find that the best way to serve this salad is on a large serving platter.

1. Once the salad is all tossed together, pour it out onto a large serving platter or into a large serving bowl.
2. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze over the top of the salad.
3. Sprinkle desired amount of extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
4. Feel free to adjust salt and pepper levels as needed.

You can omit the Parmesan cheese you want to keep it vegan, or you can sub vegan Parmesan cheese. If omitting the cheese, be sure to add extra salt.

Romano cheese, feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola would work great as well. This dish is a great way to branch out and explore your squash horizons.

Feel free to top it with fried eggs if you would like to make it more of a meal. It also pairs well with roasted meats like chicken, turkey, or beef in addition to wild rice or lentils.

It would also make the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal!

Looking for more dishes for your Thanksgiving menu? Check out these recipes!

• Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts
• Wild Rice Fennel Stuffing
• Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Homemade Green Bean Casserole
• Fennel Herb Stuffing
• Sweet Spicy Brussels Sprouts
• Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes

How Long Does Butternut Squash Salad Last In The Fridge?

Any leftover salad may be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the fridge.

Can It Be Made Ahead?

Yes!

This salad may be prepared the day ahead and stored either in an airtight container or under plastic wrap until ready to serve.

If making ahead, add the lemon juice and extra Parmesan cheese just before serving.

Do not sub any other greens for kale if making ahead, as other varieties of cooked greens may become wilted and watery after cooking.

Can This Salad Be Frozen?

I do not recommend freezing this Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad, as many of the ingredients are best enjoyed fresh, or within a few days.

Love salads? Check out these recipes!

• Fall Harvest Wild Rice Salad
• Marinated Green Bean Salad
• Balsamic Pickled Beet Salad
• Roasted Vegetable Salad
• Pumpkin Chickpea Salad
• Italian Quinoa Salad
• Smoked Salmon Quinoa Salad

Looking For More Butternut Squash Recipes? Don't Miss These!

Apple Pomegranate Stuffed Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash Curry

Butternut Squash Bisque