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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.
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Course: Salad
Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian
Keyword: Kale salad recipe, roasted butternut squash soup, squash salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 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
  • 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