Loaded with butternut squash cubes and lots of turkey, this hearty tossed salad is just as delicious as it is healthy!
HAPPY New Year!!
How was your night? Do anything fun? Eat anything amazing? Me, being the huge-ish party animal that I am stayed at home all evening with just Pinterest and cookies to keep me company. Then I went to bed at 10:30.
Yawn. I bore myself sometimes…
So let’s talk ’bout the tossed salad. I know, I know. How typical of a salad recipe to go up on my blog on January 1st. I’m about as original as pancakes with syrup. Hear me out though! This isn’t your typical salad…
And the next few weeks around these ‘har parts are gonna be anything but typical…
Ah, suspense. Don’t ‘cha love it?
Okay, I’ll stop being annoying and cut to the chase. Today’s diet-friendly recipe is the first of many. Welcome to…*drumroll*
Yes! This new series of recipes is totally going down here! I am here to help you get those resolutions off to a kickin’ good start. Prepare for your mind to be utterly blown with the 12 amazing and quite-frankly-I-can’t-believe-they’re-skinny recipes I’ve prepared for the next few weeks.
Happy New Years, my friends. 🙂
Our superfood ingredient today is the butternut squash. Seriously SO packed with all kinds of nutrients including potassium and Vitamin A.
Plus it has that awesome buttery texture that just makes you want to swoon.
For me anyways. And I’m sticking to my story that that’s normal.
So this salad is pretty much completely amazing. And pretty much SO easy it’s practically not even a recipe…
I was THIS close to naming this salad “leftover” salad, because that’s basically what it is. The inspiration hit me when I happened to have a ton of leftover turkey AND cooked butternut squash cubes sitting in my fridge that were begging to be tossed with ‘zee greens.
Hello, Mr. Leftover Salad. You’re lookin’ mighty fine today. 🙂
This salad is so hearty it’s practically a meal in itself. We’ve got two kinds of greens in there for nutrients, soft, tender butternut squash cubes to fill you up, and diced cooked turkey thrown into the mix for protein.
Obviously since we’re having salad for dinner, we can have cookies for dessert right, RIGHT?! P.S. That’s tomorrow—prepare.
Oh, and if you want to make this salad vegetarian, totally feel free to leave the turkey out.
Do you guys love ranch dressing as much as I do? I highly doubt it, BUT since we’ve obv got all of our health food bases covered in this bee-yo-tiful salad, you more than have my okay to go crazy with the ranch.
Oh, and croutons if you’re feeling fancy-shmancy.
P.S. Homemade croutons recipe coming your way next week. YES. 🙂
Seriously guys, if you’re looking for the perfect healthy recipe to kick those New Years resolutions off to a a good start, you need this salad in ‘yo life.
You could have fooled me that this was health food. 🙂
Butternut Squash Turkey Tossed Salad
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup chopped kale
- 2 cups cooked cubed butternut squash
- 1 large sweet pepper diced
- 2 cups cooked cubed turkey
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts toasted
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- Ranch dressing and croutons for serving optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss all ingredients until combined. Chill until ready to serve. Serve salad with ranch dressing and croutons if desired.
Notes
Check out these other uber-healthy salads from my blogging friends!
Cucumber & Carrot Noodle Thai Salad — Tastes Lovely
Hot Potato Salad — Spicy Southern Kitchen
Rice Salad with Nuts, Chickpeas and Cherries — Joanne Eats Well With Others
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
Happy New Year Sarah! This salad looks a perfect and delicious way to start the year! Love the addition of butternut squash, amazingly tasty with all those other flavours!
Sarah says
Thank you Jessica! Happy New Year. 🙂
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
Happy New Year Sarah! Your night sounds as exciting as mine. We stayed in as well. I’ve never been much of a party animal.
This salad is certainly the thing to kick start the new year. I love that is full of delicious super foods!
Sarah says
Haha! It was a nice relaxing night that’s for sure! 😉 Thanks Jen! All hail the superfoods!!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Happy New Year Sarah! This salad looks like such a healthy way to start off the New Year. Love butternut squash in a salad. Can’t wait to see your other healthy recipes!
Sarah says
Thanks Christin! Happy New Year! xoxo
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
This recipe has come at the perfect time!! We’re making a huge turkey tonight for a New Year’s dinner. I know what I’m doing with the leftovers!
Sarah says
Ahhh! Perfect timing. 🙂 I love turkey leftovers! LMK if you make this salad, Liz!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I didn’t even make it to 10:30 last night! I stopped trying to make it until midnight on New Year’s Eve a few years ago and have never looked back. I need my sleep! 🙂
This salad looks seriously amazing!!! And I am so excited for your superfood recipe series!!!
Sarah says
Haha! My family teases me about going to bed so early on NYE, but I’m just like, I like my sleep! LOL.
Thanks Kristine! Happy weekend, lady. 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Happy New Year Sarah! And what a delicious and perfect start to 2015 this salad is!
Sarah says
Thanks, Thaila! Happy weekend and 2015!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
I heart ranch dressing as well! And so do my kids. It’s a staple in our house at all times. We buy the REALLY big bottles from Sam’s Club. 🙂 This salad sounds amazing! Can’t wait for the cruton recipe!
Sarah says
Haha! I think I need to start buying those XL bottles of ranch too! Can’t ever get enough. 😉