Published 10/10/2024 You guys absolutely LOVED our Roasted Butternut Squash and Blackberry Harvest Salad, so we knew we had to make another butternut squash salad this fall — except this time we wanted to include our new obsession, CRUNCHY QUINOA! And let me tell you, the flavors and textures of this salad are total autumn heaven! If you’ve got any leftover cooked quinoa, it’s the perfect way to put it to use. You’ll preferably need some cooked quinoa for this recipe, as it gets baked in the oven with the butternut squash to crisp it up. But you can always cook some up fresh. After that, just make the dressing and toss it all together! It’s a pretty simple recipe with a big flavor game.
What You Need to Make Quinoa and Butternut Squash Salad
Cooked quinoa: Use cold quinoa if you can! This recipe is great for leftover quinoa for that exact reason. Chili crunch: This gets mixed into the quinoa before baking to create a spicy, crispy coating. It’s SO, so good. Butternut squash: This also gets baked to crispy perfection and adds a sweet, nutty flavor to the salad. Power greens mix: We used a mix of baby kale, spinach, arugula, and kale in this recipe, but you’re welcome to use your favorite greens. Greek yogurt: To make the creamy dressing. Greek yogurt adds a tangy, protein-packed element. Mayonnaise: Mayo adds richness to the dressing, giving this salad some healthy fats. Fresh herbs: We used fresh tarragon and thyme leaves to give the dressing a bright, herby flavor. Green onions: Adds a punch of flavor to the dressing to elevate the overall taste of the salad. Lemon juice: Every salad dressing needs a bit of acidity! Small blender: You’ll need a small blender to make the creamy dressing.
Toppings
Golden raisins Goat cheese Pumpkin seeds
Why does the cooked quinoa have to be cold?
Cold-cooked quinoa is preferred in this recipe because it will hold its shape better and not get mushy when mixed with the dressing and baked with the butternut squash. If you need to cook quinoa the same day, just make sure to let it cool completely before using.
What kind of chili crunch should I use?
It depends on your taste! We like to use Momofuku or Trader Joe’s brand chili crunch, but you can also use any other brand or make your own at home. Just make sure it has a good amount of spice and crunch to add to the salad!
How to Make Quinoa and Butternut Squash Salad
Why is my salad dressing so thin?
The dressing for this salad is naturally going to be thinner. If you are looking for a thicker dressing, we recommend adding 3-4 extra tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Beast Blender
Storage
This quinoa and butternut squash salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To keep everything fresh and crisp, leave the dressing on the side and add it just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
When I think of butternut quinoa salad, I think of other fall recipes like this Creamy Pumpkin Wild Rice Soup or Pumpkin Chili. You can also buy some butternut squash in bulk and have a complete butternut squash-themed meal featuring this Butternut Squash Risotto, Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, or Butternut Squash Lasagna. Delish!
