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Roasted Pumpkin & Feta Salad Recipe

4.6 from 57 reviews

A vibrant and nutritious roasted pumpkin and feta salad featuring tender caramelized pumpkin cubes, mixed greens, crunchy toasted walnuts, tangy feta cheese, and a sweet balsamic dressing. Perfect as a light main course or a flavorful side dish, this salad blends sweet, savory, and tangy flavors for a deliciously balanced meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Pumpkin

  • 2 cups pumpkin, peeled and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Salad

  • 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or kale)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pumpkin: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, toss the peeled and cubed pumpkin with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper until each piece is well coated.
  2. Roast Pumpkin: Spread the pumpkin cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the pumpkin is tender and lightly caramelized. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
  4. Assemble Salad: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens. Add the slightly cooled roasted pumpkin. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds evenly over the salad.
  5. Dress and Toss: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
  6. Serve: Serve the salad immediately as a fresh and flavorful side dish or a light main course.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, substitute feta cheese with a plant-based alternative or omit it altogether.
  • You can use maple syrup instead of honey to keep this recipe vegan-friendly.
  • To toast walnuts, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned.
  • If pumpkin is unavailable, butternut squash or sweet potatoes can be used as alternatives.
  • This salad is best served fresh; however, leftover roasted pumpkin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: roasted pumpkin salad, feta salad, autumn salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, pumpkin recipe, balsamic dressing