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Autumn quinoa salad with roasted butternut squash, cranberries, and nuts topped with citrus dressing 2026

Butternut Squash & Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Sweet Citrus Dressing


  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A vibrant vegan salad featuring roasted butternut squash, tart cranberries, nutty quinoa, and toasted pecans tossed in a sweet citrus dressing. Perfect for fall gatherings, meal prep, or a healthy side dish.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium butternut squash (about 4 cups, cubed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Zest of one orange (optional)

  • Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

    2. Toss cubed butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and golden, stirring once.

    3. While squash roasts, bring quinoa and broth to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and cool.

    4. In a small bowl, whisk orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in remaining olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Stir in orange zest if using.

    5. Toast nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant, then set aside to cool.

    6. In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, roasted squash, cranberries, greens, and toasted nuts.

    7. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra lemon juice.

    8. Serve warm or chill for 30 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping dressing separate.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Category: salad
    • Method: roasting and mixing
    • Cuisine: vegan

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1½ cups
    • Calories: 320
    • Sugar: 10
    • Sodium: 250
    • Fat: 12
    • Saturated Fat: 1.5
    • Unsaturated Fat: 10.5
    • Trans Fat: 0
    • Carbohydrates: 45
    • Fiber: 7
    • Protein: 10
    • Cholesterol: 0

    Keywords: butternut squash cranberry quinoa salad, cranberry nut quinoa dish, vegan salad, salad quinoa, sweet citrus dressing, fall salad, roasted squash salad, healthy quinoa bowl