This hearty salad is loaded with roasted butternut squash, kale, and lentils - all drizzled in a homemade tahini dressing. Yum!
I love salads for a quick and easy weeknight meal. But let's face it - those wimpy summer salads just don't cut it on these chilly nights.
So I set out to make the ultimate fall or winter salad - loaded with roasted veggies and a creamy dressing. This Butternut Squash Kale salad sure fits the bill. It's hearty, healthy, and super filling.
And obviously delicious too.
This dinner-worthy Butternut Squash Kale Salad is:
- Loaded with flavor from roasted butternut squash.
- Packed with protein from fresh kale and lentils.
- Topped with a creamy lemon-tahini dressing.
- Easy enough for a weeknight meal!
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
Tips, Tricks, & Variations
The roasting time for the butternut squash will vary a bit depending on your oven's true temperature and how small you chop the pieces. It's ready when the squash is fork tender and beginning to turn golden brown.
While butternut squash is my favorite winter squash, this recipe works well with acorn squash or kabocha squash too.
You can mix things up by replacing the lentils with another grain or legume like wild rice or quinoa.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 small bunch kale tough stems removed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup tahini
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh preferred
- 1 cup cooked lentils prepared according to package directions
- 1 cup pita chips optional, broken into bite sized pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss butternut squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Transfer to baking sheet and roast about 30 minutes, or until fork tender, stirring halfway through cooking time.
- While squash is baking, place kale in large mixing bowl. Drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Using your hands, massage the kale leaves until they soften and wilt, about 3–5 minutes. (Kale will taste mild when it's done.) Set aside.
- Whisk together the tahini, water, lemon juice, and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Divide kale, butternut squash, lentils, and pita chips into servings bowls or plates and serve with tahini dressing.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
This sounds amazing!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
This looks so good. I have some butternut squash cubed and ready to add to chili today, but now I want to hijack it and make this instead!
Winter just keeps hanging on, doesn't it? Soon. Spring is coming soon ... please, let it come soon.
Kiersten says
I know, I feel like I shouldn't complain because it doesn't get too cold here, but the dreariness! Oh, the dreariness. I get so excited whenever the sun comes out for a bit, even if the temperatures are in the 40s...
Kristina says
I am feeling the same way - while I have enjoyed our winter, around this time I start to get antsy for spring. I shared an ice cream recipe today 😉
this salad is beautiful, and looks like something I would make! I WILL make...
Happy Monday, hope you get more of that pre-spring sun!
Kristy says
What is tahini and where can I find it?
Kiersten says
Tahini is a paste made out of sesame seeds. You should be able to find it at any grocery store--it's usually either sold in the ethnic aisle with the Middle Eastern foods or by the peanut butter.
a farmer in the dell says
This is totally my kind of salad! I'm making this either tonight or tomorrow. I have everything on hand! I for one am dying for SPRING!!!
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says
I am so ready for spring weather. We had a wonderful weather yesterday and finally was able to enjoy some sun, run outside, and drink bubble tea 🙂 However, even if its summer/spring, I am going to hold on to kale 😛
JulieD says
What's up with this weather? We have had a pretty mild winter and then we had temperatures in the 30s the last couple of nights. I have been wanting to try a tahini dressing forever, this salad looks great, Kiersten!
Kiersten says
Yeah, I think we brought cold weather back with us from Illinois--it was in the 30s when we got home! Luckily today is back in the 60s...
sara says
Aw, hope your weather improves soon! I'm definitely feeling lucky to be in California this February! 😉
Loving that salad...looks so fresh and delicious! I'm a huge fan of tahini. 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Definitely my salad! Love sesame dressing.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
I'm cold just reading that! It's "cold" here when it gets below 65.
That salad dressing looks amazing, I bet it's incredible on just about everything. I kind of want to dip sweet potato fries in it.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
Move to Texas.... never a Winter Alert here!
I'm going to try that dressing -- I have been trying to figure out how to remake my favorite Tahini based dressing from Trader Joe's. I miiiiiiisssssss it now that my bottle is empty (and the closes store is NOT close).
Kiersten says
I feel your pain--our Trader Joe's is about 40 minutes away, which isn't THAT far, but we only end up going there a few times a year...
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I was hunkering down at home too! I certainly am not afraid of driving in snowy conditions, but I'm afraid of those who can't and I don't want to be on the same roads they are. That looks positively delightful.
Kiersten says
Exactly! That's what Chris says too. 🙂
Diane {Created by Diane} says
looks so pretty and colorful! Wonderful photos 🙂
Jennifer The Quirky Momma says
The photos are gorgeous, like always! I love the color pops, green and orange foods are so lovely and inviting.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
We've been having a lot of strange days like that... beautiful, clear skies and then the clouds come in and we get 6 inches (or more) of snow.
Loving this kale salad. Hearty, yet healthy.
Jeanette says
I love tahini dressing - and all the ingredients in this nutrient packed salad!
Virginia from That Bald Chick says
Oh my yum!
Rochelle @ WheatlessRochelle.com says
Wow, this is like, all of my favorite foods in one bowl. Yum!
Freda Love Smith says
This looks like the perfect consolation prize for the dragged out days of winter! Thanks for including the pita chips recipe - I've got extra pita bread around and now I know what I'll do with it. Definitely making this salad soon!
Meghan @JaMonkey says
Gah, even foods I don't like look appetizing when you make them!
Natalie says
Super healthy salad, it looks so delicious!
Pam says
Yes, I would eat this. I love tahini dressing and have never made it, I thought it would be super difficult. Will have to give it a go
Pam
Diana @ Eating Made Easy says
Came across your website via Pinterest! What a gorgeous website you have!! I've recently started cutting out most all meat, happy to have found your blog.
Kiersten says
Thank you! 🙂
Julia says
This salad has all sorts of amazing going on! From all the healthful ingredients to the tahini dressing. SWOON! I normally don't say that about salads, but SWOON! Looks like a total winner and perfect comforting salad for the cold weather! 🙂
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
Ha! You know where I live-- the Northwest-- winter dreary is one of our specialties. I hope it is not quite so bad in North Carolina. But a salad like this is going to remain appropriate for me for a long time: spring produce happens really late around here. I love both butternut squash and a bold, thick salad dressing that can really stand up to kale, so this looks really good, especially with the added crunchy pita chips. By the way, I think you are smart to stay off the snowy roads when you are not somewhere like the Midwest where people are really used to it.