Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
User Reviews
5
18 reviews
Excellent
Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
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Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Salad features sweet roasted squash paired with a crunchy, spiced savory granola and a rich brown butter balsamic dressing. Baby spinach and dried cranberries add freshness and tartness, while shaved Parmesan adds umami. The salad balances sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy notes with varied textures from the roasted squash, nuts, and greens, creating a layered and satisfying dish well-suited for a hearty side or light meal.
Description
This salad blends honey-roasted butternut squash with a homemade savory granola composed of nuts, oats, spices, and honey binding, toasted for a nutty crunch. The granola incorporates sage and cayenne pepper for aromatic and mild heat undertones. The brown butter balsamic dressing adds a glossy, tangy richness accented by shallot and Dijon mustard.
Texture varies from the creamy softness of the roasted squash to the crispiness of toasted nuts and granola and the tender bite of baby spinach. The dried cranberries contribute bursts of sweet-tart flavor that complement the spices and richness.
Typically assembled just before serving, the salad pairs well as a hearty side dish or a standalone light meal, suitable for fall or winter when butternut squash is in season. Optional garnishes, fresh sage leaves, and cranberries add visual appeal and fresh herbal brightness.
Notes mention temperature control during roasting to prevent nut burning and reheating the dressing to maintain pourability. Toasting nuts should be monitored and stirred frequently when increasing oven temperature for squash roasting.
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Ingredients
For the savory granola:
- 1 large egg white
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup pistachios shelled
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
For the butternut squash:
- 1 (3 pound) butternut squash peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Brown Butter Balsamic Dressing
- 3/4 cup butter 1 and 1/2 sticks
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 small shallot
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
To assemble the salad
- 10 ounces baby spinach or more to taste
- 1 cup dried cranberries (warmed in the oven with the squash)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese shaved with a vegetable peeler
- sage to garnish, fresh
- cranberries to garnish, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Get out two large rimmed half baking sheets and spray with nonstick spray.
- Make the Savory Granola: (Note: you can make this granola up to 3 days ahead.) In a large bowl, add 1 large egg white and use a fork to beat it for about 30 seconds, until it is nice and foamy. Add the remaining wet ingredients and spices: 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon sage, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Stir it together again with the fork.
- Add the dry ingredients: 1 cup walnuts, 1 cup old fashioned oats, 1/2 shelled cup pistachios, and 1/2 cup pine nuts. Stir it all together with a rubber spatula, then pour it onto a greased half baking sheet. (Save the bowl, don't wash it!) Place in the center of the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until the nuts are browning and the smell just about knocks you out.
- Make the Honey Roasted Butternut Squash: Meanwhile, peel and chop up your butternut squash. See photos in the post. I like to use a canning jar lid to scrape the seeds out, it's so much easier! Chop the butternut into about 1 inch pieces, or whatever size looks good to you for eating in a salad.
- In the same large bowl that you made the granola in (no need to clean it), add all the chopped butternut squash, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir it together, then add to the other prepared baking sheet, spreading into an even layer.
- Turn the heat on the oven up to 400 degrees F.* Bake the squash at 400 for about 15 minutes, then toss with a spatula to flip each squash. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, until a fork inserted into a butternut slides through easily. The edges of the butternut should be getting golden brown. Total bake time is about 25 minutes or longer, depending on the size of your chop.
- About 5 minutes before your squash is done baking, add 1 cup dried cranberries to the pan and stir. (This makes them warm and soft for serving)
- Make the dressing: Add 3/4 cup (1 and 1/2 sticks) salted butter to a small saucepan, and turn the heat to medium. Stir the butter as it melts, and keep stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. The butter will melt, then start to foam, then eventually turn brown, with little brown bits swirling at the bottom. It should smell nutty and fragrant (not burned or acrid.) Remove from the heat immediately once you see swirls of brown in the foam when you stir. Set aside to let cool for about 5 minutes.
- In a blender, add 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 small shallot (roughly chopped), 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until mostly smooth. Then, with the blender on low speed, add the browned butter in a stream through the jar lid center cap. Adjust seasonings to taste, and thin with up to 2 tablespoons warm water, if desired.
- Leave the dressing in the blender to cool slightly until you are about to serve, whirring it one more time just before scraping it out into a serving dish.**
- Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl, add about 10 ounces baby spinach. Add a few tablespoons of the warm dressing (not hot! you don't want it to wilt) and toss lightly.
- Add the roasted butternut squash and warmed cranberries. Add as much of the savory granola as you like (you don't need to use all of it), and toss. Top the salad with freshly shaved parmesan to taste, fresh sage leaves, and a handful or two of fresh cranberries.***
- Pass the warm dressing at the table for guests to serve themselves.
- Storage: This salad is best eaten right away! If you don't think you will eat it all, only toss the salad with the amounts of ingredients that you think you will eat right away. Store any leftover dressing in a tupperware, and microwave before using again (it will solidify). Store each salad component separately in a tupperware in the fridge. Except for the granola: Extra granola will keep on the counter, sealed well, for about 1-2 weeks.
- Make ahead instructions: You can make the granola and dressing up to 3 days in advance. Store the granola sealed on the counter, keep the dressing in the fridge. You must reheat the dressing (microwave is fine) before serving. You can also make the butternut squash ahead of time: Cook as directed, but leave the squash a little "al dente". Store in the fridge for up to 2 days, then on the day you are serving, spread the squash on a pan and roast at 400 until warmed through, maybe 5-8 minutes.Alternatively, you can peel and chop the raw squash up to 3 days ahead of time, storing it well sealed in the fridge. Then add honey and oil to roast on the day you serve, just as instructed. Assemble the salad as usual!
Notes
- Monitor the nuts closely if raising oven temperature for squash to avoid burning; stir every 3-5 minutes as needed.
- Prepare savory granola up to three days in advance and store it properly to retain crunch.
- Rewarm brown butter balsamic dressing gently before adding to salad if it solidifies, but avoid overheating to keep spinach fresh.
- Fresh sage leaves and cranberries enhance both flavor and appearance, but are optional.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
683kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
58g
(89%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
14g
(82%)
Monounsaturated Fat
24g
(120%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
52mg
(17%)
Potassium
479mg
(10%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
21g
(42%)
Vitamin A
4032IU
(81%)
Vitamin C
11mg
(12%)
Calcium
188mg
(19%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 683 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 683kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 58g | 89% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14g | 82% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 24g | 120% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 52mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 479mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 4032IU | 81% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 188mg | 19% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
18 reviews
Excellent
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