This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (2024)

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By: Krista

  • GF
  • KF
  • V

This is the BEST Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad that’s creamy and has a surprise spice that makes this side dish pop with flavor. This Quinoa Salad is a rock star gluten free and vegetarian recipe you need on your table this fall!

If you liked this easy quinoa salad recipe, you should also try my Southwestern Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Poached Egg and my Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad.

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
  • This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Recipe Is Perfect For Meatless Monday
  • Get the Recipe

Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

Sooo … much … stuff!

My mind is whirling with all the amazing nuggets I downloaded this weekend from Chopped Conference!

I started out the weekend with a Food Photography session led by author and professional food editorial photographer Matt Armendariz ..WHAT?!

Someone pinch me!

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (2)

Ya’ll I was just sitting there in awe. He had props set up with different food arrangements and would just take pictures from different angles, while using simple tricks to reflect light and then put those pictures up on the overhead. Um.. every one was perfect. I still have SOOO much to learn, but watching him made me excited about the learning journey! I LOVE photography and how everyone can create their own story that’s personal to them!

I have always struggled with the photography I put on JHE. I adore moody photography, you know the photos that have dark shadows in certain areas. I think it just makes the food pop off the screen. However, I am a healthy food blogger and when you think of “healthy” most of time people think bright and white instead of dark and moody. Ugh….

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (3)

What do you guys think?

So that’s one of my “take away” thoughts from the conference. The other main one is how do I engage my audience on Facebook and Instagram more? I really want to grow both of those social media channels but sometimes it’s a struggle! It just seems like a slow locomotive train climbing up a very large hill, it takes FaEVA!

Amanda, from I am Baker gave some really good practical tips at the conference for growth and engagement strategies (basically “forget the rules”) so I am going to start there and think positive thoughts!

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (4)

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Recipe Is Perfect For Meatless Monday

While I’m thinking “positive thoughts” and aiming for growth I’ll be chowing down on this fall inspired Harvest Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad … and believe me you should too!

Not only is this dish killer in taste but it’s gluten free, vegetarian (ahem… hello Meatless Monday), and packed with fall flavors you’ll love! The twist of Cinnamon in the dressing is a fun surprise and compliments the butternut squash perfectly!

I served this dish with the Pan Seared Salmon and Sage Brown Butter Sauce I made last week…. one word. Ah-mazing!!!!

Can’t wait to hear what you think. Bon Appetite!

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (5)

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This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (6)

Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Yield: 6-8 1x
  • Category: Side Dishes
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 1/2 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2″ cubes (about 1 half butternut squash)
  • 1 1/2 cups red onion, cut into 1/2” cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/3 cup dried cherries
  • 1/4 cup pepitas
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 oz. crumbed goat cheese
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons raw honey
  • dash of ground cinnamon
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Add the butternut squash and red onion to a baking sheet. Season with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Toss to coat.
  3. Bake the mixture for 20 minutes.
  4. In the meantime add quinoa and water to a small saucepan. Stir and bring mixture to a boil. Cover and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat, let the quinoa sit for 2 minutes then fluff the quinoa with a fork.
  5. To make the dressing: in a small bowl, mix the apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive, raw honey, ground cinnamon, and salt to taste.
  6. To a large bowl add cooked quinoa, butternut squash, red onion, dried cherries, pepitas, parsley, goat cheese, and dressing. Gently toss to mix everything together.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 241
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 452 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 7 g

Filed Under:

  • Easy Healthy Dinners
  • Gluten-Free
  • Holiday
  • Holidays
  • Kid Friendly
  • Recipe Videos
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving
  • Vegetables
  • Vegetarian

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This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Is The Best Fall Side Dish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What meat goes with butternut squash? ›

What to Serve with Roasted Butternut Squash
  • Pork. These Crock Pot Pork Chops would be excellent paired with roasted butternut squash.
  • Chicken. ...
  • Pasta. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash is also delicious with any holiday main: roast chicken, roast turkey, ham, prime rib; whatever your family loves!

Can I eat cold butternut squash? ›

Not only is roasted butternut squash a perfect side dish, it's perfect to add to rice bowls or to top hearty salads. We enjoy it cold and often save some for the following day to add to salad for lunch. If you've got lots leftover, make soup.

What is compatible with butternut squash? ›

If vegan try a rice / veggies casserole or couscous or pasta. Chicken or turkey or pork goes well with butternut squash.

What does butternut squash do for the gut? ›

Butternut squash contains considerable amounts of fiber, which can help you keep a healthy weight and regulate bowel movements. It's known to help prevent colorectal cancer while the beta-carotene in butternut squash can also improve eye health.

When should you not use butternut squash? ›

If you don't need to use your butternut squash right away, you'll want store it raw and whole (don't peel it!) in a cool, dark place; on the counter works, too. It can last for one to three months this way, so don't worry about it going bad if you decide to stock up way ahead of time.

When should you not eat squash? ›

Likewise, if the flesh and seeds of the fruit are mushy and slimy, that's a clear sign that it shouldn't be eaten. Color - the outer skin of the squash is a quick way to check for any sign of spoilage.

Do you have to peel butternut squash before eating? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

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.

What is the best tool to cut butternut squash? ›

Choose a large, heavy, sharp knife to pierce the skin. Once you have the knife wedged in, lean into the knife adding weight (make sure the tips of your fingers are way out of the way!) and let the knife slice through the sturdy flesh, removing the top and the bottom ends of the squash.

Does microwaving butternut squash make it easier to cut? ›

Microwave Hack for Easier Butternut Squash Peeling

Simply slice off the top and bottom, poke the squash all over with a fork and microwave it on high for about 3 minutes. When it's cool enough to handle, peel the squash. The softened flesh will make peeling (and slicing) way easier.

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.

What is squash good to eat with? ›

Blend butternut squash with milk, dates, and cinnamon to make a satisfying smoothie. Make spaghetti squash noodles as a healthy substitute for your favorite pasta dish. Use butternut or acorn squash as a filling in ravioli. Sauté squash with bok choy and edamame to form a unique stir fry.

What protein to eat with butternut squash soup? ›

Main Course Proteins. If you are serving a larger meal, butternut squash soup can be the perfect side dish to compliment your main course! Soups make the best side dishes for a savory main dish. I especially love serving pork with butternut squash, but chicken, beef, and even seafood pair well with it too!

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

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