Recipe Runner

Eat Well - Run Happy

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

by ·

Jump to Recipe

This Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette is perfect for fall! Roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and toasted pepitas piled on top of a bed of baby kale. Drizzle with cider vinaigrette for a delicious combination of fall flavors!

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette | Baby kale topped with roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, pepitas, and goat cheese is the perfect fall salad!I think our long Indian summer has finally come to an end in Colorado. I couldn’t have dreamed of having more perfect weather up until today. Highs in the upper 70’s even in the 80’s on some days and nothing but sun! Even when we were in Aspen last week the weather cooperated and we were able to hike and enjoy a couple meals outside. Yep, I’m gonna miss those days.

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette | Baby kale topped with roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, pepitas, and goat cheese is the perfect fall salad!Today all that loveliness has been replaced with cold, clouds, and rain. It’s 49 degrees, I’m in my warmest sweatshirt and yoga pants, slippers on, and considering flipping on the fireplace. My cats are curled up into balls and are wishing that I would just go ahead and turn on the fireplace for them. If the sun was out I wouldn’t feel like a bear getting ready for hibernation, but these clouds just make me want to curl up in a blanket and read a good book.

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette | Baby kale topped with roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, pepitas, and goat cheese is the perfect fall salad!On days like this I crave big bowls of soup and warm fresh baked bread. Sadly that’s not what’s on the menu tonight. It’s my husband’s birthday, so dinner tonight was his choice and of course he chose pizza. I’m thankful he didn’t ask for anything grilled because I can’t imagine standing outside in the cold and rain grilling right now. Since I know he will be devouring most of the pizza, I’m also making this Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette to supplement my lack of pizza.

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette | Baby kale topped with roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, pepitas, and goat cheese is the perfect fall salad!I made this salad last week after I stocked my pantry with several butternut squashes. I absolutely love using squash in dishes this time of year and roasting it is one of my favorite ways to prepare it. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of squash and is perfect for adding to salads, pasta dishes, or just eating it straight from the pan right out of the oven.

Along with roasted butternut squash topping this salad you’ll find plenty of other goodies. Goat cheese, dried cranberries, pepitas, and of course a drizzle of the cider vinaigrette! The warm cider and maple flavors in this vinaigrette add a touch of fall to this salad with the perfect amount of sweetness, spice, and tang. I guarantee this salad will be featured on my Thanksgiving table this year!

Yield: 4-6 servings

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

Spoon drizzling cider vinaigrette on top of a bowl of Roasted Butternut Squash Salad.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

  • 1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into about 1 inch cubes
  • Extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper for roasting the squash
  • 5 ounces baby kale
  • 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons roasted and salted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Cider Vinaigrette

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallot
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Toss the cubed butternut squash on the prepared sheet pan with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast the squash in a single layer for about 15-20 minutes or until tender, tossing it around once with a spatula. Let the squash cool while you assemble the salad.
  2. In a large bowl add the baby kale and top with crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries, pepitas, and the butternut squash. Drizzle with the cider vinaigrette or serve it alongside the salad.

Cider Vinaigrette

  1. In a small saucepan add the apple cider, vinegar, and shallots. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium- high heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 8 minutes or until it has reduced to a 1/2 cup.
  2. Remove from the heat and pour into a jar or glass measuring cup. Whisk in the dijon mustard, maple syrup, olive oil, salt and pepper. Taste for seasoning and serve with the salad.

Notes

To prevent the salad from getting wilted or soggy don't add the vinaigrette until ready to serve or serve it alongside the salad.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 277Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 385mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 6gSugar: 21gProtein: 7g
© Danae Halliday
Category: Salads

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette | Baby kale topped with roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, pepitas, and goat cheese is the perfect fall salad!More Fall Salads

Autumn Apple and Pear Salad | Sweet pears and apples paired with salty feta and bacon are the perfect combination in this autumn inspired salad!Autumn Apple and Pear Salad

Roasted Squash and Green Bean Salad | Mixed greens topped with roasted vegetables and a creamy Greek yogurt dressing! | www.reciperunner.comRoasted Squash and Green Bean Salad

Winter Kale and Wild Rice Salad | www.reciperunner.com | A gorgeous, healthy, and flavorful whole grain salad perfect for serving this holiday season!Winter Kale and Wild Rice Salad

You May Also Like...

Danae of Recipe Runner

Hi, I’m Danae! Blogger, photographer, and avid runner! My mission is to create delicious, mostly healthy, easy, and balanced meals that use a variety of fresh and affordable ingredients. You’ll find everything from one pan skillet dinners, to colorful salads, comforting pasta recipes, the occasional treat, and more.

About · Work With Me · Contact

Subscribe for the Latest Recipes!

You can unsubscribe anytime.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says

    I am not sure I could count the many ways I love this recipe! There are too many. First of all, I totally agree about the change in weather making me want soup. And that roasting squash is the best. I also love that you put actual cider in the dressing (I thought it was just cider vinegar.) I have to try it! Pinning!

    Reply

    • Danae says

      Same here Kristen. As much as I love all the summer produce, when I can make flavorful and beautiful salads with fall produce I’m just as happy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

About · Work With Me · Contact
Skip to Recipe