This kale butternut squash salad is loaded with tangy feta, creamy avocado, and a simple hot honey vinaigrette. To make it more filling, I also add brown rice which is totally optional.
What is Kale Butternut Squash Salad
Kale Butternut Squash Salad is the sassy fall favorite that'll make your taste turn into that one Taylow Swift tumblr video.
Imagine crisp, kale greens getting all cozy with sweet roasted cubes of butternut squash, all while being hugged by a big serving of brown rice, tangy feta, and the hot honey vinaigrette.
Drizzle on that dreamy hot honey vinaigrette, topped with avocado, pinch of salt, more feta, basil and a drizzle of hot honey and BOOM!
You'll be diving fork-first into a bowl of autumnal magic that's as delicious as snuggling under a blanket with your boo.
Get ready to be the salad superstar of the season!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Kale - Kale is the star of this dish but you could def use another green if you don't like kale.
- Olive Oil - This is mainly for massaging the kale but you could also use avocado oil if you like that better.
- Lemon - Also for massaging the kale - it just helps tenderize and make it not so bitter.
- Brown Rice - I love brown rice in this salad but you could def sub it for another tasty pasta of your choice - or leave it off - it's still delish!
- Crumbled Feta - If you don't like feta, try goat cheese, mozzarella, boursin or even shaved parmigiano.
- Avocado - If you're not a fan of avocado, you could leave it off.
- Basil - Don't have basil? Try cilantro with a pinch of fresh mint.
- Hot Honey Vinaigrette - If you're not into sweet heat like this hot honey vinaigrette recipe, try your favorite balsamic vinaigrette.
How to make it
To make this salad, first, we'll start with the butternut squash.
Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Add butternut squash to a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, cinnamon and salt. Toss together and spread out evenly on the baking sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes until tender and starting to brown.
Remove from the oven and set aside.
Now add kale to a large bowl drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Massage for 30 seconds to break down and soften the greens.
Add the hot brown rice, the hot butternut squash, the feta, and the hot honey vinaigrette.
Toss everything together and top with avocado, pinch of salt, more feta, basil and a drizzle of hot honey.
What goes with Kale Butternut Squash Salad
If I were making it for lunch, I'd pair it with these viral upside down puff pastries, this croissant turkey sandwich with a drizzle of this 3 ingredient honey mustard.
You could also pair it with these teriyaki turkey burgers or even these italian sliders on hawaiian buns.
If you want more tasty salad recipes, try out this Dirty Martini Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, Grinder Pasta Salad, spinach artichoke ditalini pasta salad or my smoked mozzarella pasta salad.
Frequently asked questions
How long is kale salad good for in the fridge?
Kale salad holds up in the fridge for a solid 3-4 days, but after that, it might start to lose its groove. Better munch on it sooner for that peak fresh flavor party!
Can you eat raw kale in salads?
Raw kale is not only totally delicious in salads, but it's also a crunchy, green powerhouse of nutrients that'll have you dancing in a leafy wonderland. I recommend massaging it for a more tender taste and easier digestion.
How to reduce bitterness in kale salad?
The trick to tenderizing kale and removing the bitterness is by giving it a massage. Simply drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice and salt and massage for 1-2 minutes.
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Recipe
Kale Butternut Squash Salad
Ingredients
-for the butternut squash-
-for the salad-
- 4 cups Kale finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ Lemon juiced
- 1 pinch Salt
- 2 cups Brown Rice
- 1 serving Butternut Squash (above)
- 3 tablespoon Crumbled Feta
- 1 whole Avocado thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil julienned
- 1 serving Hot Honey Vinaigrette
- more Feta and Hot Honey for serving
Instructions
-for the butternut squash-
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
- Add butternut squash to a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, cinnamon and salt. Toss together and spread out evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 25 minutes until tender and starting to brown.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
-for the salad-
- Add kale to a large bowl drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Massage for 30 seconds to break down and soften the greens.
- Add the hot brown rice, the hot butternut squash, the feta, and the hot honey vinaigrette.
- Toss everything together and top with avocado, pinch of salt, more feta, basil and a drizzle of hot honey.
Sylvia Biafore
Is it just hot honey?? Or am I missing something because it says hot honey vinegarete??
grilledcheesesocial
just click where it says hot honey vinaigrette and it'll take you to the recipe page ;)!