Autumn Harvest Grain Salad (Trader Joe's Recipe)
This flavorful Autumn harvest grain salad uses Trader Joe's delicious Harvest Grain Blend to create fresh lunch or side dish this fall. It combines nutty butternut squash with toasted pecans, diced apples, and sweet cranberries and is drizzled with a refreshing orange vinaigrette.
Servings: 6 servings
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced butternut squash*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 oz Trader Joe's harvest grain blend cooked with vegetable broth or water*
- 1 medium apple diced
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup toasted pecans*
- 2 cups baby spinach or kale optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
- 3 tablespoon orange juice
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Optional Topping
- chopped parsley
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add in butternut squash cubes and season with a little salt and pepper. Sauté for 15 minutes or until lightly browned and fork tender.2 cups diced butternut squash*, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- In a large pot, begin heating vegetable broth and add Trader Joe's Harvest Grain Blend. Cook to package instructions.16 oz Trader Joe's harvest grain blend
- Whisk together the dressing in a small bowl.3 tablespoon orange juice, 2 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- In a large bowl, toss together the squash, diced apple, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, spinach, cooked TJ Harvest Blend and the dressing. You can also dress only portions of the salad and refrigerate the rest in an airtight container. Add salt and pepper to taste.1 medium apple, ⅓ cup dried cranberries, ⅓ cup toasted pecans*, 2 cups baby spinach or kale, salt and pepper
- Serve and enjoy! Optional: sprinkle with chopped parsley, feta, or another cheese of your liking for a savory component.
Notes
⭐️I find it's easiest to get pre-cut butternut squash for this recipe (you can find it in the refrigerator section at the grocery store. You can also buy a butternut squash and cut it into small cubes and use the extra in this Fall Farro Salad with butternut squash or these butternut squash fries!
⭐️I recommend cooking your Harvest Grain Blend with Vegetable broth for the best flavor.
⭐️You can buy roasted or toasted pecans or make them yourself. Roast on a parchment lined baking sheet at 350 F for 10 minutes, adding a dash or oil, salt, and pepper if desired. Stir occasionally.
Other tips:
- Want to make this your main entree? Need more protein in this dish? You can add lots of plant-based protein options like chickpeas, white beans, lentils, tofu cubes, vegan chicken, and more. Sprinkle some hemp seeds on top for more protein as well.