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Home » Recipes

Kale and Butternut Squash Salad

Published: Sep 15, 2023 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Pinterest Pin for Kale and Butternut Squash Salad.

Looking for a leafy green salad that is elegant enough for a festive dinner or special occasion AND also simple enough for any day of the week? Look no further! This Kale and Butternut Squash Salad is just what you need.

Tender, roasted cubes of butternut squash, sweet roasted red onions and crispy sage leaves are tossed with hearty kale, toasty pecans and a simple vinaigrette. The results are simply outstanding....an easy, impressive and wholesome salad that doesn't skimp on flavor or good looks.

Keep reading for step-by step instructions for making this Kale and Butternut Squash Salad at home!

Close up of Kale and Butternut Squash salad on a plate.

Why This Recipe Works

  • The vegetables and sage leaves all roast together on one pan making for easy prep and clean up.
  • The sweet squash and onions perfectly compliment the earthy kale.
  • The components of this salad can all be made ahead and tossed together at the last minute.

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for Kale and Butternut Squash Salad.
  • Butternut squash. This sweet and delicious vegetable (especially when roasted) is such a nice match with kale. The two were made for each other!
  • Red onion. Onions become sweet and tender when roasted but retain a bit of crunch making them a nice accompaniment to the soft roasted squash.
  • Sage leaves. Sage is another delicious pair with squash and is a great herbal addition here.
  • Pecans. Buttery and crunchy, pecans add a desirable hit of richness and crunch to this salad.
  • Kale. Kale is the green backdrop to all of the other goodies present in this salad and it hold up so well to the other hearty ingredients.
  • Olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, shallot, dijon mustard and a bit of honey create a simple vinaigrette that allows this salad to really sing.

How to Make this Recipe

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the cubes of squash and red onion on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss to evenly coat the vegetables with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. Stir the vegetables and add the sage leaves. Continue to roast until the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes more. Set aside to cool.
Close up of cubes of butternut squash and slices of red onion.
Roasted squash, red onions and sage leaves on a pan.
  • Whisk all of the vinaigrette ingredients together in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle half of the the vinaigrette over the kale and massage it into the leaves with your hands. Add the roasted vegetables and pecans. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. Crumble the crispy sage leaves over the top. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Vinaigrette in a glass bowl with a white whisk.
Overhead view of Kale and Butternut Squash Salad.

Expert Tips

  • Don't skip massaging the kale with the vinaigrette! This helps soften and flavor the kale making for a more delicious salad.
Kale and Butternut Squash Salad on a white plate.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can make and prepare all of the components ahead of time and then simply toss the salad when you are ready to serve: The roasted vegetables can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The kale can be washed, chopped and dried and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The pecans can be toasted up to 5 days ahead of time (store in an airtight container at room temperature). Finally, the vinaigrette can be whisked together up to 3 days before serving. Store the vinaigrette in a jar or other airtight container and give it a good shake to recombine before using.

How do I store leftovers of this salad?

The leftovers will keep well for a couple of days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How can I vary this salad?

Substitute sweet potatoes for the squash if you prefer. Yellow onions or shallots can stand in for the red onions. To make it a main course salad, consider adding a cooked whole grain such as barley or farro and/or cooked chicken. Crumbled feta or goat cheese would be nice, and/or a handful of dried cranberries and/or dried cherries!

Side view of Kale and Butternut Squash Salad on a plate.

Related Recipes

Looking for more Scandinavian-inspired Butternut squash dishes? Give these a try:

  • Close up of a bowl of butternut squash soup topped with rye croutons and herbs.
    Simple Savory Butternut Squash Soup
  • Slice of Butternut Squash Galette on a white plate next to a fork and glass of wine.
    Rustic Butternut Squash Galette with Rye Crust
  • Close up of a bowl of Hearty Lentil Soup with Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale and Bacon next to a spoon and napkin
    Hearty Lentil Soup with Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale and Bacon
  • flatbread topped with a cream sauce and roasted vegetables
    Whole Wheat Rye Flatbreads with Roasted Squash, Kale and Spiced Skyr

This salad also makes a nice main course, particularly if you scatter some cooked whole grains (rye berries or barley are both delicious) and a handful of crumbled goat cheese into the mixture.

Featured image for Kale and Butternut Squash Salad.

Kale Salad with Butternut Squash

A delicious salad with kale, sweet roasted butternut squash and red onions and toasty pecans.  It makes a tasty leafy green side dish or a hearty main coarse salad.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian
Keyword: Kale salad recipe, roasted butternut squash soup, squash salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Kristi

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 1 large butternut squash peeled and cut into ¾ inch cubes
  • 1 red onion cut into ¼ inch thick slices
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 10-12 whole sage leaves
  • 1 large bunch kale Curly or Tuscan is fine, stems removed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup pecans toasted and coarsely chopped
  • Vinaigrette recipe follows

For the Vinaigrette:

  • 1 small shallot minced (about 1-2 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place squash and red onion on baking sheet and toss with olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, stir and add sage leaves.  Continue to roast until vegetables are tender and golden brown, about 10-15 minutes more.  Set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together ingredients for the vinaigrette in a small bowl, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.  Transfer kale to a serving platter or large bowl. Drizzle half the vinaigrette over the kale and massage it into the leaves with your hands.  Add roasted vegetables and pecans. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette and gently toss to combine. Crumble the crispy sage leaves over the top.  Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

Notes

You can make and prepare all of the components for this salad ahead of time and then simply toss the salad when you are ready to serve:
  • The roasted vegetables can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
  • The kale can be washed, chopped and dried and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
  • The pecans can be toasted up to 5 days ahead of time (store in an airtight container at room temperature).
  • Finally, the vinaigrette can be whisked together up to 3 days before serving. Store the vinaigrette in a jar or other airtight container and give it a good shake to recombine before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 562mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 14409IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 1mg

If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Kale and Butternut Squash Salad and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.

More Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes

  • Overhead view of Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom next to pears and cardamom pods.
    Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom
  • Close up of Danish Pancakes (æbleskiver) next to raspberry jam.
    Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes)
  • Close up of Tomte Muffin cut in half.
    Tomte Muffins (Swedish Apple Muffins)
  • Close up of an overhead shot of Lingonberry Mousse topped with frozen lingonberries.
    Lingonberry Mousse (Trollkrem)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jayshree

    December 24, 2020 at 9:49 am

    Hi Kristi,

    This recipe was delicious! Thank you for sharing your love of delicious healthy food. Happy holidays.

    Much love,
    Jayshree

    Reply
    • Kristi

      December 24, 2020 at 10:56 am

      Hi Jayshree,

      Thank you for our comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed the salad. Happy Holidays to you!

      Kristi

      Reply

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