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This Quinoa Spinach Salad w/ Butternut Squash & Apple is a delicious and flavorful fall salad. Easy enough for a weeknight dinner, yet fancy enough for entertaining.
I say this all the time, but salads don’t have to be boring. It’s not just lettuce and tomatoes.
A salad recipe can be anything you want it to be. It can be light and easy or hearty and comforting.
I was inspired by fall produce when I created this nourishing bowl.
This Quinoa Spinach Salad with Butternut Squash & Apple is flavorful and full of vitamins, protein and fiber to keep you satisfied. Plus, it’s pretty to look at, don’t you think?
Butternut Squash is one of my favorite vegetables. It’s sweet and creamy and delicious. Not to mention, it’s so incredibly versatile.
It’s the magic behind my irresistible creamy dairy free mac and cheese, it’s the sweet element in my Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili, and it’s the dreamy autumn flavor in my Cinnamon Squash Quick Bread.
In this Quinoa Spinach Salad, the butternut squash brings yet another texture component with it’s slightly crisp edges and tender insides.
In addition to the butternut squash, you’ll find apples, red onion, and pistachios in this gluten free salad. They are all important players for providing the perfect flavor and texture.
You could use pears instead of the apples and pumpkin seeds or chopped pecans instead of the pistachios, but you’ll definitely want the juicy and crunchy components.
More hearty vegan salad recipes
- Chinese Tofu Salad
- Healthy Taco Salad
- Curry Quinoa Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lentils
- Black Eyed Peas Salad
- Chopped Kale Salad
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Quinoa Spinach Salad w/ Butternut Squash & Apple
Ingredients
For the Butternut Squash:
- 2 cups cubed butternut squash
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- pinch of cayenne (to taste..a little goes a long way)
For the Quinoa:
- ½ cup dry quinoa (I used tri-color quinoa because it’s prettier)
- 1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp thyme
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ tbsp dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- dash of pepper
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Salad:
- 16 oz baby fresh baby spinach
- 1 apple (chopped)
- ¼ cup pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, toss the cubed butternut squash, olive oil, cinnamon, salt and cayenne until well coated. Bake for 25-35 minutes.
- Meanwhile, rinse and drain the quinoa. Place it in a pot on the stove over medium-high heat with the vegetable broth, salt, parsley, oregano, and thyme. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and continue cooking for about 15 minutes until the quinoa is tender. Because this is a small amount of quinoa, keep a close eye on it to ensure the liquid doesn’t evaporate too quickly. Add a couple more tablespoons of broth or water if the mixture dries out and starts sticking to the pan. Do not overcook. Once the quinoa is tender, remove from heat and set aside.
- Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together in a small bowl. It will be quite tangy. If you like it more mellow, add another tablespoon or two of oil or water.
- To assemble the salad, mix the spinach, chopped apple, roasted butternut squash, quinoa, and pistachios. Drizzle a couple tablespoons of dressing and taste. Add more dressing if desired.
Aisha B says
What could I substitute the apple cider vinger with. I can’t find it where I’m from. Would lemon juice work? I can’t have wine so that isn’t an option either.
Jenn Sebestyen says
Balsamic would be delicious…you may need less maple syrup with this option as it’s pretty sweet already. Lemon juice would work, too. Just taste and adjust as necessary. Enjoy!
Timarie says
Hello. Trying to subscribe to your recipes via email, but the circle just keeps spinning! Please add me to your email list. Thank you!
Jenn S. says
Hi, Timarie. Sorry you’re having trouble. I’ll be sure to look into it to make sure it’s not a problem on my end. But, I’ll get you all signed up! Thanks for following along!
Kerri McGrail says
Woahh this has me droooling! The perfect fall salad! i think i will add this to my thanksgiving recipe list!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Kerri! I hope you love it!
Mandy says
Jenn!!! I had to pop over here to tell you that I’m in love with this dressing! I’ve been using it on my kale salad for the last two days! Can’t wait to try it the way it was intended in this recipe! 🙂
Jenn S. says
Oh, yay!! So happy to hear that! I LOVE my apple cider vinegar! I can imagine it would be delicious on kale salad as well. It’s National Kale Day today, but the way! 🙂
Sarah says
This is fall in a bowl! Looks delicious!!!
Jenn S. says
LOVE fall! 🙂
Mandy says
What a gorgeous salad!!! And I love all of the textures in here – especially the addition of red onion and apple. That dressing sounds absolutely heavenly – I LOVE mustard dressings! Is it bad that I’m already brainstorming thanksgiving recipe ideas?? This salad would be so perfect!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Mandy! Not bad at all. And I agree – this would be perfect on the Thanksgiving table! 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This salad has all my favorite ingredients in it. It’s like you read my mind. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Well, yes, that IS one of my super powers! 😉
Ginny McMeans says
My daily salad must now include this recipe in the line-up. Sounds wonderful.
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Ginny! I hope you love it!
Melissa says
This salad looks so hearty, sweet & savory! I love all the different textures and flavors you added. I have some cooked butternut squash in the fridge. I’ve gotta try this tomorrow 🙂
Jenn S. says
Perfect! You are one step ahead already. Let me know how it turns out!
Dianne says
This looks like a perfect way to continue eating salads into the cooler months. I love the addition of apples!
Jenn S. says
Yes! This is definitely one for the fall. Thank you!
Becky Striepe says
This looks like the kind of salad that even my kid would want to eat!
Jenn S. says
That is awesome!! Glad to hear he loves his greens!
Strength and Sunshine says
I used to eat tons of b-squash and then last year I just never seemed to buy it :/ I only had it a few times! This season…I’ll have to change that…starting with a lovely Fall salad!
Jenn S. says
I buy a butternut squash just about every time I go to the grocery store or farmers market. I LOVE the stuff! Thanks, Rebecca!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says
I’ve been putting apple slices in so many salads lately – the freshness and sweetness is usually the perfect touch! I can’t wait for pumpkin season to begin again, to try all these recipes. Have a great week!
Jenn S. says
I love fruit in salad too. And the apples are just so good this time of year. So fresh and crisp – the perfect addition! Thanks, Vivian!