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Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad combines roasted butternut squash, quinoa, green onions, shaved almonds, Craisins, and a simple Honey Dijon Dressing. This healthy fall recipe can be served warm or cold, and makes a perfect special occasion side dish!

Welcome to fabulous fall eating. With a simple butternut squash, you can do so many delicious things, like make my Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach or a simple Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta!

A bowl of the quinoa salad with salad tongs.

Fall Quinoa Salad

So much has changed around here since I started this blog many years ago. Our salad options used to be pretty stagnant, rotating between a simple green salad with onions, carrots, and maybe some hard-boiled eggs – to a wedge salad – both using store-bought dressings.

Now? We’ve shaken up our salad scene BIG time. Combining roasted veggies and quinoa, kale with apples, and spinach with the works – those are salads that speak to me.

When you eat salads with wholesome ingredients, interesting dressings, with some crunch on top – you learn to love trying all the salad things. Before you know it, you look forward to eating healthy salads, and that my friends is pure excellence!

Why This Recipe Works:

FALL INSPIRED – The combination of fluffy quinoa and fresh squash is the perfect salad for fall and during the holiday season. Seasonal vegetables are the best.
NUTRITIOUS & FILLING – Loaded with protein, fiber, and delicious fall flavors, this butternut squash quinoa salad can serve as a main course. Rotisserie chicken would be a nice addition if feeding a hungry family.
IMPRESSIVE – Holiday meals are even better with a colorful salad. It always gets rave reviews at our home.
SUPER TASTY – You’ll love the combo of sweet and savory flavors. The salad dressing also adds deliciousness.

Overhead shot of a bowl of butternut squash quinoa salad with wooden spoons.

Salad Ingredients Used:

This delicious salad requires healthy and tasty ingredients that are easily found in most grocery stores. Most can be kept on hand in your pantry.

Butternut Squash – One medium squash is needed, and you can keep it safely on your countertop for quite a while before using it. Peel, chop, and roast in the oven for an amazing flavor!
Olive Oil, S&P – These ingredients are used to roast the squash in the oven. You can also add a sweetener, like honey or pure maple syrup, for added sweetness.
Quinoa – I like to use either regular or tri-color quinoa for this recipe. This super-food is high in protein and fiber, and will keep you feeling full for hours! It took me a while to acquire a taste for the texture, but I’ve learned to love it and can’t get enough now.
Chicken Broth – Use a lower sodium version to control the salt. I’m a fan of cooking all rice and quinoa in chicken broth because it’s a huge flavor booster.
Green Onion – Green onions for the win! However, if red onions are more your thing, feel free to use them instead.
Craisins – I’m a fan of lower-sugar dried cranberries if you can find them in your store.
Almonds – Use shaved or slivered almonds, and toast them for maximum flavor! Store these nuts in the freezer if you’re buying in bulk.

Optional Variations: You may want to add sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or other roasted vegetables. Feta cheese would also be a nice addition.

Honey Dijon Dressing Ingredients:

This is the same dressing combo I use in both my Healthy Broccoli Salad and my Kale and Quinoa Salad. It’s sweet and tangy, and pairs wonderfully with the squash and quinoa in this fall salad!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Honey
Dijon Mustard
Red pepper flakes
S&P

How to make Quinoa Squash Salad:

Step 1
Prep the squash. Chop off the ends of the butternut squash and peel the entire thing. Then chop into sections, and then bite-sized chunks. Spread the chunks in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You could also add some brown sugar or pure maple syrup to sweeten slightly.

Step 2
Roast squash. Roast in a 400-degree preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until fork tender and golden brown. Remove to slightly cool.

Step 3
Make the quinoa. Follow the package directions, but use chicken broth instead of water, to cook the quinoa. I use my instant pot and combine chicken broth and quinoa, pressure cook for one minute, and natural release for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Step 4
Mix the squash and quinoa. Combine the warm squash and quinoa in a large serving bowl.

Step 5
Make the dressing. Mix all ingredients in a mason jar, and shake well. Drizzle some of the dressing over the slightly warm squash and quinoa.

Step 6
Prep the add-ins. Toast the almonds until fragrant. Chop onions.

Three bowls of green onion, cranberries, and shaved almonds.

Step 7
Combine ingredients. Then add the almonds, onions, and dried cranberries to the bowl with the squash and quinoa. Stir, and add additional dressing.

Step 8
Serve butternut squash salad. This salad is delicious served cold or at room temperature.

A bowl of the quinoa and toppings by ingredient.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips:

To Make Ahead: If prepping this recipe for a holiday, go ahead and prep a day in advance. Save a little extra dressing to add right before mealtime.
For Meal Prep: You can make this on a Sunday night and divide it into separate lunch containers. Add a little extra dressing to the top right before eating, if you’d like!
To Store: This salad will last in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container.

A bowl of the salad with a jar of the dressing beside it.

Other Delicious Quinoa Recipes:

Go ahead and up your salad game with this variety! Go on, get adventurous!

Mexican Quinoa Salad – This is my everyday quinoa salad because I like to eat it EVERY day!
Kale and Quinoa Salad – A wonderful combination of good-for-you food, and also delicious.
Simple Quinoa Salad with Goat Cheese – Another spin on quinoa, and you can’t go wrong with goat cheese!

Or for other holiday salads, try my Loaded Fall Harvest Salad with Balsamic Dressing or my Candied Pecan and Apple Holiday Salad. These are always HUGE hits during the fall holidays!

Side view of a bowl of the quinoa salad with a hand pouring the dressing.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue