I love the rich, sweet and earthy flavours of winter squash and pumpkin, and they are some of my favourite ingredients in salads, especially in the fall. In this roundup, I’ve curated a selection of vibrant and healthy salads with pumpkin and winter squash, featuring seasonal stars like butternut squash, kabocha, delicata and more varieties.
Today’s roundup of nourishing pumpkin salad recipes is all about using one of the most versatile vegetables out there.
Pumpkin, otherwise known as winter squash, or squash, is used around the world in desserts and savoury dishes. It’s cooked during most seasons and is great as the central feature or as a side to a dish.
Another bonus of this fabulous vegetable is how easy and efficient it is to cook. You can make a batch of it and use it in many different and interesting ways. Pumpkin works just as well in salads!
In addition to its delicious flavour and versatility, pumpkin is also very nutritious. It contains several compounds and minerals that assist in maintaining good health. It’s particularly rich in Vitamin A, which is important for eyesight, and is rich in carotenoids, which the body converts to a form of vitamin A.
Pumpkins are also a good source of fibre; they contain antioxidants; and are high in potassium and vitamin C. Pumpkin seeds are also very nutritious and are rich in the mineral zinc, which is one of nature’s best antioxidants.
Find more about different squash & pumpkin types and recipe ideas here.
My Favourite Pumpkin Salad Recipes
I have curated some of my favourite salads with pumpkin and winter squash. Most of these can be made any time of the year but the recipes would really shine when this root vegetable is in season. These are great for the holiday season, too.
Roasted Pumpkin Salad With Garlic Tahini Dressing
What’s nice about this salad is that you can pre-roast the pumpkin, onions and garlic ahead of time and assemble the salad itself at a later stage. The tahini dressing can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Roast Pumpkin & Beetroot Salad With Maple Walnuts
Sweet starchy veggies paired with earthy walnuts and our maple syrup apple cider vinegar dressing. Another classic addition is something salty like goat’s cheese or feta to top it off.
Roasted Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Salad
Embrace the flavours of fall and winter with this vibrant butternut squash salad featuring juicy pomegranate seeds, creamy feta, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of honey mustard dressing. A seasonal delight!
Roasted Pumpkin & Peach Salad
The sweetness from the yellow peaches, roast pumpkin and honey is well balanced by the earthiness of the almonds, the fresh aniseed flavour of the fennel and acidity of the lime juice. Get the recipe from Green Kitchen Stories.
Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad
This is such a fresh looking summer salad, which would go perfectly with a fish or seafood meal on a hot summer’s day. It’s a zesty twist on a pumpkin salad and uses in season summer ingredients like chilli, lime, parsley, mint and sunflower seeds. This salad is full of goodness, particularly in the sunflower seeds which are a great source of vitamins B and E and the chilli which is very high in vitamin C. Get the recipe from Oh My Veggies.
Butternut Squash Salad With Bacon & Maple-Rosemary Vinaigrette
This is a another gorgeous salad with salty cheese but with the addition of Vitamin C packed dried cranberries and heart loving walnuts. Once again, the cheese can be omitted as the bacon will still provide those lovely, salty hints in each bite. Red onion is a fantastic source of prebiotics (beneficial type of fibre for your gut health) but if you find it too strong raw, simply pickle it in the dressing for 10-15 minutes before tossing through the salad. Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
Curried Butternut Squash Salad
This pasta like salad is a clever and creative way to use butternut pumpkin. The pumpkin and apple are spiralized into noodle-like ribbons and baked until just fork-tender. I love the warm spices like curry, cinnamon and allspice, and the sweetness of dates. Packed with nutrients and delicious. Get the recipe from Food Faith Fitness.
Fall Harvest Chopped Salad with Apple Maple Vinaigrette
This wouldn’t be a salad round up without a chopped, cob-style salad and this fantastic bowl of goodness certainly delivers. Protein, essential fats, healthy carbohydrates and fibre are all present, making this a fabulous one-bowl meal. Make a big batch for dinner and lunch boxes. Get the recipe from Pale OMG.
Escarole, Bacon and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Dried Apricots & Pepitas
Escarole is a bolder version of frisee salad leaves but you can use any leafy salad greens you like. If you’re a sucker for sweet and salty mixes, this is your gem. You will love the contrast and zing of the sweet and sour dried apricots and the bacon, plus crispy little toasted pepitas. Get the recipe from Heather Christo.
Roast Pumpkin, Spinach & Feta Salad
Try this Roast Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing for your next Sunday lunch! Terrific as a side or as a meal, this is a really magical combination of flavours. Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.
Chickpea Pumpkin Salad
Roasted chickpeas add the best crunch factor and a lovely source of protein. Roasted pumpkin is sweet and delicious, combined with baby spinach, salty feta cheese, and onions. Jazz it up with roasted nuts or chicken. Get the recipe from Goodness Avenue.
Cinnamon Pumpkin Lentil Salad
How do you make a Lentil Salad irresistible? Load it up with warm cinnamon-laced pumpkin, a handful of greens, a sprinkling of candied walnuts, and finish with a honey-spiced red wine vinegar dressing! Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.
Curry Delicata Squash with Mushrooms & Mint Chutney
Break out of the classic American flavour profile and use some aromatic curry powder to balance out the mild flavour of the delicata squash. The maitake mushrooms add contrast in flavour and texture. Get the recipe from Forge To Table.
Pumpkin Wedge Salad
This Pumpkin Salad recipe is packed with roasted pumpkin, cranberries, mixed greens, and drizzled with a warm maple syrup dressing. Get the recipe from Dining With Alice.
Smoky Butternut Kale Salad With Goat Cheese & Apricot Vinaigrette
Grab some apricot preserves and you can have this year round. It’s slightly sweet but also tart and just adds so much depth of flavour to the salad with this exciting and unique vinaigrette. Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.
Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, & Cranberries
The flavours are both sweet and savoury with lots of Autumn spices and flavours: cinnamon and maple syrup. Get the recipe from Julia’s Album.
Pumpkin Spinach Salad with Maple Pumpkin Dressing
The star of the show here is the maple pumpkin salad dressing. It’s creamy and gently sweet and has the most gorgeous orange color. Get the recipe from The Endless Meal.
Roasted Pumpkin Salad Recipe
A simple, yet worthy of a special occasion dish. The classic lemon and olive oil dressing, and the sweetness of freshly roasted pumpkin make an unforgettable combo. Get the recipe from Cooktoria.
Kale Butternut Squash Winter Salad
This is a simple and rustic winter salad that combines pumpkin well with super food kale. The dish also contains maple syrup, cranberries and paprika which would give a lovely sweet and smoky flavour. This salad would go well with a hearty winter roast, or a rich rustic winter meal. Get the recipe from Ciao Florentina.
Butternut & Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Both roasted pumpkin and Brussels sprouts are fabulous together, especially with a little strong cheese like blue or goat’s feta, although it can easily be left out. Crisp apple adds freshness and crunch. Pecans and the dressing provide healthy fats for your body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in the veggies. Great Thanksgiving or Christmas salad! Get the recipe from The Wholesome Dish.
More Pumpkin Content
- Paleo Pumpkin & Cauliflower Dal
- Spicy Pumpkin Coconut Soup Recipe
- Butternut Squash Pasta
- Pumpkin Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce
Do you have a favourite pumpkin salad recipe? Share with me in the comments. Pin for later from below!
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