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
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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

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.

When should you not eat butternut squash? ›

Keep your eye out for any brown spots or blemishes; these can indicate the start of spoiling. Any soft spots or slimy areas are also a sign that your squash has gone bad. Old squash tends to have soft flesh, leathery skin, and a hollow feel. And, of course, any spots of mold mean it's time to toss your squash.

Can you eat too much butternut squash? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings. When taken by mouth: Butternut is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people, but it can cause diarrhea and irritation of the stomach and intestines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use butternut in large amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

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.

Do you peel butternut squash before cutting? ›

Use a sharp knife (or a sturdy vegetable peeler) to carefully remove the skin. Alternatively, the skin can stay on because it's edible when roasted! But if adding to a soup (or recipe where it won't be roasted), remove and discard. Remove any seeds with a spoon or ice cream scoop.

Can butternut squash be cut ahead of time? ›

I typically cut mine into 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch cubes for roasting, but the size/shape of the cut is totally up to you. Once your butternut squash is cut, you can either cook the squash immediately. Or you can refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or freeze it in a sealed container for up to 3 months.

Can you eat cold squash? ›

Yes. Typically people eat zucchini and yellow squash raw sometimes, but other squash can be eaten raw as well.

Why should you not refrigerate butternut squash? ›

The ideal temperature for butternut squash (and any winter squash) is between 50℉ and 60℉, so a cool pantry or cellar would work best. Do not store whole squash in the refrigerator as the cold temperatures don't increase the shelf life and could affect the texture.

Does butternut squash go bad in the fridge? ›

Do not refrigerate whole butternut squash; it will keep for a month or more in a cool, dark place. Peeled butternut squash should be stored tightly covered and refrigerated for up to five days.

How long is leftover butternut squash good for? ›

Whole squash can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month. Store cooked squash for 3-5 days in the refrigerator or mash and freeze for up to 1 year. To freeze: Peel squash, remove seeds and cut into pieces. You can roast before freezing or freeze raw to cook later.

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