Description
A colorful, hearty salad filled with roasted vegetables, crisp apples, nuts, and dried fruit, tossed with a tangy maple Dijon dressing. Perfect as a holiday side or a light autumn meal.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
- 2 cups roasted butternut squash or pumpkin cubes
- 1 Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- ⅓ cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Roast butternut squash or pumpkin: Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes until tender and caramelized. Let cool slightly.
- Prepare the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine greens, roasted squash, apple slices, cranberries, cheese, nuts, and red onion.
- Toss with dressing: Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to coat.
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.
- Swap goat cheese with blue cheese for a bolder flavor.
- Dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: Roasted + Assembled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
