This Butternut Squash Feta Salad is perfect for fall. In fact, it has become a staple in our house! The dried cranberries seeds combined with the pine nuts, creamy feta, and my homemade dressing really satisfy all of your taste buds! You can make this fall salad recipe in advance to your event or make it the day of.
Salads are my jam! A good salad can elevate any meal. If you are a salad lover like me, check out a few of my other favorites like my Cucumber and Apple Salad, Panera Inspired Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, Kale Blueberry Salad, Arugula Pear Salad, and my Fig Salad. If you are looking for a good cozy cocktail or mocktail to serve this recipe with, check out my Pear Cocktail Recipe.
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Why I Love This Recipe
- This great fall salad is super easy to make! You can meal prep it or make it the day of.
- This side dish is naturally gluten free, grain free, soy free, egg free, and can be made paleo, Whole30, vegan and dairy free friendly.
- You can eat this hearty salad as is or serve it as a main meal with protein on top. I sometimes like to add my Air Fryer Salmon Bites or Crispy Chickpeas on top.
- This butternut squash salad recipe has become a staple at our Thanksgiving dinner or really and holiday dinner along with my Homemade Cranberry Sauce, Gluten Free Mashed Potatoes and Dairy Free Gravy.
- This healthy fall salad is also available from my meal prep company. We deliver ready to eat meals all over! You can learn more about my meal prep company on my website.
Salad Ingredients
- Dried cranberries-This adds a sweet nice touch to the salad.
- Pine nuts-Add a nice little crunch and a nutty flavor.
- Salty feta cheese-Who doesn’t love feta? This adds some creamy flavor.
- Arugula-This pairs so well with this salad.
- Pitted dates-This adds a nice sweet touch. I love dates!
- Butternut squash-I like buying mine pre-cut, it saves so much time! Otherwise, you have to bring out the vegetable peeler! If your local grocery store does not already have pre-cubbed, you can buy a whole one and cube it yourself.
- Kosher salt and a little olive oil-To roast the butternut squash.
Dressing Ingredients
- Maple syrup-This gives this homemade dressing a nice sweet touch.
- Lemon juice-This compliments the maple syrup nicely.
- Dijon mustard-For flavor.
- Olive oil-To act as the base for this dressing.
- Pinch of salt-For flavor.
See the recipe card below with a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Dried cranberries-You can also use pomegranate seeds to give a nice sweet touch!
- Pine nuts-You can also use pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, crunchy walnuts
- Feta cheese-While feta is my go to for this recipe, you can also use a creamy goat cheese, or my blue cheese,
- Greens-You can also use baby spinach, a spring mix, or any other kind of hearty greens.
- Cubed butternut squash-You can also use sweet potatoes in its place or use both!
- Roasted vegetables-Feel free to add other roasted veggies on your salad! I like occasionally adding roasted red onion and green beans.
This recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations. If you try something else out please let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
How To Make This Butternut Squash Feta Salad
Recipe Tips
- Tip #1: Allow the squash to cool before mixing the salad.
- Tip #2: If you are making this recipe in advance, be sure to keep the dressing on the side and add the dressing when you are ready to serve it.
Recipe FAQs
Technically it does not but the skin is kinda rough and hard to digest so I like peeling it or buying the squash pre-cubed.
I like to cut off the ends, then use a Y vegetable peeler to peel the rest. Then, I cut the squash into little 1 inch cubes.
Other Fall Recipes You Will Love
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Butternut Squash Feta Salad
Equipment
- serving dish
- salad tongs
- kitchen knives
- cutting board
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 cups Arugula
- 1/2 cup Pine nuts
- 1/3 cup pitted dates Sliced
- 1 cup Feta cheese Since I am dairy free, I like using vegan and dairy free feta.
- 3 cups Butternut squash I like buying mine pre-cubed from the grocery store.
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil (for roasting squash) You can also use avocado oil.
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 whole Lemons juiced
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
For the Salad:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the bite-sized cubes of the butternut squash on a baking sheet. Toss the squash in the olive oil and salt to roast. Roast the squash for 30 minutes in the preheated oven or until you can poke a fork through it and it is tender. For best results, I like to allow the warm squash to cool to room temperature prior to mixing my salad.
- While the squash is roasting, place the dressing ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth.
- In a large salad bowl, toss the remaining salad ingredients and dressing.
For the Vinaigrette:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 30-60 seconds.
Lori says
Filling and fresh! Love to throw this together for a quick lunch
Allianna Moximchalk says
Thanks!!
The Fed Up Pharmacist says
One of my favorite salads EVER! Fresh, filling and a great weeknight meal.
allianna says
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it as much as I did 🙂
Kathy says
Thank you, Allianna. Your chicken meatballs and acorn squash are delicious!
allianna says
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed them Kathy!