Quinoa Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Massaged Kale is the perfect fall lunch bowl tossed with a delicious homemade apple cider vinaigrette.
November just flew by and I can't believe I'm hitting publish on this post on the first Monday of December. The weather here in Dallas is currently 45 so it's finally starting to feel like winter is on the way. It's been crazy up and down lately, so I'm definitely still in the fall mindset.
I may be moving from pumpkins to peppermint but I'm keeping my favorite fall roasted vegetables on rotation. Lately, we've been having a lot of brussels sprouts, butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and sweet potatoes. So what do you do when you have leftover veggies? Toss them in a quinoa bowl!
One of my favorite lunches for the past few years have been quinoa bowls but sometimes I like to jazz it up a bit with massaged kale and a fun dressing. So, then is it technically a salad now?
When I posted this on Instagram and Facebook, quite a few people messaged me asking what massaged kale is. Well, it's what it sounds like! If you haven't tried it before, prepare to be amazed. It's really the only way I eat kale now... It's that awesome.
How to Massage Kale
If you have never worked with kale before, that's okay! Follow these quick and easy directions for the best kale you've ever tasted. Start by stripping the leaves from the stems. Wash and dry the leaves then tear or chop into small to medium pieces. Place in a large bowl with your dressing. Using your hands, massage until the kale starts to soften, about 3 minutes. That's it, you're done! Ready to go. Simple, right?
This quinoa bowl or salad is great for leftovers, easy meal-prepped lunches, and even filling enough for dinner. Don't have butternut squash on hand? Try using sweet potatoes instead. This fall inspired bowl is super versatile, so be sure to share your creations with me.
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Massaged Kale
Ingredients
For the quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the apple cider vinaigrette
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey (omit/replace if vegan)
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
for the massaged kale
- 1 bunch kale
for the roasted vegetables
- 1 butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 pound brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
Instructions
- To make flavorful quinoa, place quinoa in a strainer and shake to rinse thoroughly. Place quinoa, broth, olive oil, and salt into your rice cooker. Let cook, about 35 minutes, then fluff with a fork once done.
- To make the Apple Cider Vinaigrette, combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Whisk until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
- To massage the kale, strip the leaves from each stem. Wash and dry the leaves then tear or chop into small to medium pieces. Place into a large bowl with a few tablespoons of dressing. Using your hands, massage until the kale starts to soften and change colors, about 3 minutes.
- To roast the vegetables, preheat oven to 400 degrees F and prepare two baking sheets. Toss vegetables in a few tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for about 45 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Cook until tender and browned.
- To serve, lay down a bed of massaged kale, portion out quinoa, top with roasted vegetables, and drizzle with additional apple cider vinaigrette.
Sarah @ The Fit Cookie
This looks like such a delicious salad, perfect for colder days instead of a green salad. Healthy and hearty!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Sarah 🙂 Absolutely!
Leslie
I was never a kale fan until I found out about massaging it. This is such a perfect main dish. I'm glad that butternut squash is available year round!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Oh yes!! Massaging kale is key for me.
Kristen Wood
Now this looks like some hearty and delicious comfort food!!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Kristen 🙂
Erin Dee
This needs to happen for lunch! Looks so fresh and delicious!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Woohoo, so happy to hear that 🙂 Let me know what you think!!
Megan Thompson
Um YUM! Fresh, healthy, and delicious. Three of my favorite things, thanks for sharing the recipe!!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Totally 🙂 You're so welcome!
karen
i am always looking for healthy side dishes and this looks to die for!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Karen 🙂
Nicole Kauffman
This looks AMAZING and I've been looking for some butternut squash recipes!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks 🙂 So glad you found this quinoa salad!
Kristina
I LOVE KALE. this looks like a perfect holiday dish, I always bring something I can eat... 😉
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yes!! Such a good idea.
Sarah
Simply delicious and so many flavors I love together. I need to start making big batches of quinoa salad again for lunch. So easy and so delicious.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Absolutely, they're my fave 🙂
Elaine Stores
This looks like something my family would enjoy. Thanks for going into such detail in your recipe so a novice like me can follow ;).
Jenna | The Urben Life
I hope y'all love it 🙂 You're very welcome!!
Reese Woods
Okay, so I am big on sauteeing kale, but I didn't even know to massage it for texture was a thing! How perfectly brilliant!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Oh heck yes, if you try it lemme know what you think 🙂
Kristen Wood
I love a good salad and this looks so hearty and nourishing!!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Kristen 🙂 It is for sure!
Becca Wilson
This looks like it would be so good. All of these really good things in one dish would be so tasty!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Absolutely 🙂 I hope you give it a try!
Amy @ Orison Orchards
This looks so nourishing and wholesome and delicious! I'm going to give it a try for lunch tomorrow!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks 🙂 Let me know what you think! Enjoy!!
Amber Battishill
Looks so delicious! I love the combination of healthy and nutrient rich foods in this dish!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks so much 🙂 I love it for an easy weeknight dinner.
Leigh Suznovich
Oh this looks so satisfying and hearty while still being really healthy. Perfect combination for fall too! YUM!!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Leigh! It really is 🙂
Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations
I never knew how to massag kale, now I know!! This looks so flavorful, I can't wait to try it!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay, happy to help 🙂 Let me know what you think.
Gemma
This looks great. I had never heard of massaging kale before, very interesting.
Jenna | The Urben Life
I hope you give it a try!
Ina @ Crafty For Home
All my favorites on one bowl, what a perfect combination, delicious!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Heck yes, happy to hear that!
Alisa Fleming
Hmm, I have a butternut to cook up and just love Brussels sprouts. I might need to pick up one of those brussels stalks at Trader Joe's today to make this! And you reminded me, I think I'm out of Dijon too! This salad looks just divine and so inspired for lunch.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks so much, I really appreciate it 🙂 I love getting those big brussels sprout stalks!!
Olivia
This looks absolutely delicious! Pinning to a shared vegan board too!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks so much, Olivia 🙂
Jules Shepard
I now know how to massage kale!!! A beautiful recipe - will be giving it a try!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay 🙂 So happy to help!! Enjoy, Jules.