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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Winter Salad with Spicy Butternut Squash

    Author: Amy Fulwood | Published: Feb 3, 2020 | Modified: Jul 16, 2023

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    This healthy vegetarian winter salad makes an incredible easy dinner. The butternut squash is tossed with harissa before roasting then topped with goat's cheese and yoghurt.

    Welcome to your healthy winter salad of dreams 🙌

    Overhead shot of winter salad on a white and blue plate
    Close up of avocado salad with butternut squash
    Jump to:
    • Why we love this recipe...
    • Ingredients
    • How to make it
    • Possible Variations
    • Try these other salad recipes!
    • Recipe

    This salad is so simple but so good! It's got spicy butternut squash which is roasted until soft and caramelised. Creamy avocado and salty goat's cheese all sprinkled over fresh rocket leaves.

    I add some scoops of Greek yoghurt just before serving which cools the squash down and combines with the goat's cheese and harissa to make a ridiculously tasty dressing for the salad.

    Once the squash is roasted the salad comes together so quickly and you can serve it hot or cold, either way it's so good!

    This salad would be great to serve as a lazy weekend lunch for friends along with some crusty bread or it's equally good as a weeknight dinner with leftovers for lunch the next day.

    Overhead shot of butternut squash salad with avocado on a marble background
    White platter of winter salad on a marble surface

    Why we love this recipe...

    It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this salad which makes it such a good weeknight dinner because you can literally grab everything you need on your way home from work!

    This is such a healthy dinner which you're definitely in need of during these cold winter months when it feels it'll never be warm again.

    Even though it isn't a big bowl of comfort food which is what I'd normally want this time of year it's got the spicy butternut squash which helps to warm you up and stop it feeling too healthy!

    You can add any extra ingredients you like to this salad so pop in whatever your favourite salad ingredients are and really make it your own!

    Plate of green salad with squash and avocado on a marble surface
    Close up of squash salad with avocado

    Ingredients

    This section is here to provide further tips and ideas for alternative ingredients. The full recipe and instructions are included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!

    Olive Oil: For roasting the squash.

    Butternut Squash: Roasted until caramelised and soft.

    Harissa: Tossed with the squash before roasting so it gets lovely and spicy.

    Rocket: Or you could use another of your favourite salad greens.

    Avocado: Sliced over the salad before serving.

    Goat's Cheese: For that delicious saltiness! Feel free to leave off if you're not a fan or switch for feta if you prefer.

    Greek Yoghurt: Helps to cool the salad down from the spiciness of the harissa.

    Winter salad on a marble surface
    Platter of spicy squash salad topped with avocado

    How to make it

    Roast the squash: Toss the squash with the olive oil and harissa and place in the oven. Roast to 30-40 minutes until soft and caremlised.

    Dress the salad: Whisk together the rest of the harissa and oil and toss with the rocket. Spread on a serving plate and add the squash and avocado.

    Finish the salad: Dot over the goat's cheese and yoghurt before servings.

    Possible Variations

    • Protein: There are loads of things you could add to this salad. Some shredded chicken or crispy tofu would be delicious tossed through the salad before serving.
    • Vegetables: What I love about salads like these is that you can use it as an opportunity to toss in anything you need to use up from the fridge. Chopped cucumber would be great. You could toss some chopped carrots or Brussels sprouts in with the squash before roasting. Really anything would work!
    Overhead shot of spicy squash salad on a marble background
    Winter salad on a white and blue serving platter

    Try these other salad recipes!

    • Tuna Salad with Garlic Toasts
    • Roast Vegetable Salad with Halloumi
    • Cobb Salad with Pasta & Roasted Chickpeas
    • Orzo Pasta Salad with Salmon
    • Healthy Potato Salad with Greek Yoghurt
    • Salmon Salad with Watercress & Edamame

    Recipe

    Overhead shot of butternut squash salad with avocado on a marble background

    Winter Salad with Spicy Butternut Squash

    This healthy vegetarian winter salad makes an incredible easy dinner. The butternut squash is tossed with harissa before roasting then topped with goat's cheese and yoghurt.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 327kcal
    Author: Amy Fulwood

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Butternut Squash peeled and chopped into medium chunks
    • 3 tablespoon Harissa
    • 100 g Rocket
    • 1 Avocado sliced
    • 65 g Goat's Cheese crumbled
    • 3 tablespoon Greek Yoghurt
    • Nigella Seeds to serve, optional
    UK Measures - US Measures

    Instructions

    • Heat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Spread the squash out on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and add 2 tablespoon of the harissa. Toss to coat the squash in the harissa. Put the squash in the oven and roast for 30-40 minutes until soft and charred around the edges.
    • Whisk together the remaining harissa and olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Put the rocket in a bowl and toss with the dressing. Spread on a serving plate and spread over the avocado slides and butternut squash. Sprinkle over the goat's cheese then dot over the Greek yoghurt and serve. Sprinkle with nigella seeds if desired.
    Nutrition Facts
    Winter Salad with Spicy Butternut Squash
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 327 Calories from Fat 198
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 22g34%
    Saturated Fat 5g25%
    Cholesterol 8mg3%
    Sodium 233mg10%
    Potassium 1038mg30%
    Carbohydrates 30g10%
    Fiber 8g32%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 20842IU417%
    Vitamin C 50mg61%
    Calcium 172mg17%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @amycookreport on Instagram and hashtag it #thecookreport!

    Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!

    Pinterest image of winter salad with text overlay

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      Crispy Chicken Thighs with Chickpea Stew
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      Chopped Prawn Salad
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      Honey Harissa Roast New Potatoes with Creamy Feta

    Comments

    1. Sarah says

      February 05, 2020 at 1:49 am

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to try this. I love the idea of pairing butternut squash with harissa!

      Reply
    2. Kelley says

      February 05, 2020 at 1:45 am

      5 stars
      This looks like such a hearty salad!

      Reply
    3. Krissy Allori says

      February 04, 2020 at 11:40 pm

      5 stars
      I love butternut squash and I loved this salad. I also loved all the sub ideas you gave.

      Reply
    4. Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says

      February 04, 2020 at 10:29 pm

      5 stars
      I love squash and I love salads, so this makes it a perfect meal for me for sure! Can't wait to try it x

      Reply
    5. Kelly Anthony says

      February 04, 2020 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      This is my kind of salad. Loaded with spice and ingredients to keep me full throughout the day.

      Reply
    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hey, I'm Amy Fulwood!

    Recipe creator and photographer here at TheCookReport.co.uk.

    Over here we’re all about delicious healthy recipes to fit around busy schedules and celebrating the joy that comes from an amazing meal.

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