Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetable Salad Recipe (2024)

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A great Thanksgiving roasted vegetable salad highlighting the best of fall produce. Roasted butternut squash, beets and Brussels sprouts are piled up high on a bed of nutritious heirloom black rice dressed in a citrusy blood orange vinaigrette!

Jump to Recipe| Food style by: Florentina | Food Photo by: MihaMatei.com |

Roasted Vegetable Salad

Great Thanksgiving sides are pure gold. Not that there’s anything wrong with a dairy-free green bean casserole but If I were to choose one show stopping fall dish that is perfectly balanced on the sweet, savory and citrusy spectrum, it would be this Italian roasted vegetable salad! The earthiness of the heirloom black rice stands up beautifully to the textures of the roasted vegetables and the zesty vinaigrette. Served hot or cold, this autumn salad is not to be missed!

There’s still room to build on the concept and make it your own with the addition of some of these balsamic roasted figs, crispy roasted broccoli or heirloom rainbow carrots. The trick is in timing everything just right so the veggies are al done at about the same time.

The Citrus Vinaigrette

The vinaigrette is simple but divine! This is the time of year when I pull out my special bottle of blood orange olive oil. I first season the cooked plain rice with just a drizzle then shake up my vinaigrette to pour all over the salad. It’s just infused olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice with just a pinch of salt. It’s perfect, but if you fancy a touch of dijon that won’t hurt, or you can be a little extra with a couple of teaspoons of poppy seeds.

About the Black Rice

I’m really fond of this heirloom whole grain rice. It cooks beautifully adding both texture and nuttiness to your dish. Make sure to rinse it well before cooking to obtain a nice fluffy separation of the grains. Alternatively a wild rice mix could be used with mild variations in the flavor profile, I just really love the color contrast between the black grains and the colorful veggies. In lieu of rice, black Puy lentils and even quinoa would make a great protein packed canvas here. Go wild!

Make Ahead Tips

Since this salad is absolutely delicious served hot or cold it can be made a head and the components stored individually. The vegetables could be reheated and crisped up again at 450″F for 5 minutes or so. The recipe could simply be brought to room temperature or heated through in a skillet or microwave oven.

Thanksgiving Recipes

  • Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf
  • Vegetable Pot Pie
  • Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
  • Dairy Free Scalloped Potatoes
  • Vegan Mac and Cheese <–the Best!
  • Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
  • Mushroom Bourguignon Stew
  • Italian Almond Cookies
  • Ultimate Vegetarian Stuffing
  • Roasted Spaghetti Squash
  • Wild Mushrooms and Potatoes
  • Roasted Butternut Squash Apple Soup
  • Sweet Potato Rounds
  • Crusty Bread.

Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetable Salad Recipe (5)

4.93 from 13 votes

Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetable Salad

A great Thanksgiving roasted vegetable salad highlighting the best of fall produce. Roasted butternut squash, beets and Brussels sprouts are piled up high on a bed of heirloom black rice dressed in a citrusy blood orange vinaigrette!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:1 hour hr

Total Time:1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash (medium size)
  • 1 lb brussel sprouts (trimmed + halved lengthwise)
  • 2 red beets (medium size)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp sea salt + more to taste
  • 1 orange zested
  • 3 sprigs fresh basil for garnish
  • 2 tbsp edible flowers (optional for garnish)

Black Rice

  • 1.5 cups black rice
  • 2.5 cups water
  • 1 leaf bay
  • 2 strips orange peel

Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Instructions

  • Roast the Beets: Preheat your oven to 400”F with a large cast iron skillet on the bottom rack. Rinse and scrub the beets well and wrap them loosely in aluminum foil, making sure to leave a little opening for the steam to escape. Place them on a rimmed tray in the preheated oven for 45 mins to 1 hour until softened. When cool enough to handle peel the skin off of the beets and cut them into small squares. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use. (Note - the beets can be roasted in advance or replaced with store-bought roasted beets)

    2 red beets

  • Roast the Butternut Squash - Peel the butternut and discard the seeds. Cut it in into 1 inch cubes and transfer to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with a lug of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Spread them on the baking sheets preferably without touching each other.Roast in the preheated 400"F oven for about 35 to 45 minutes until soft and it starts to caramelize around the edges.

    1 butternut squash, 3 tbsp olive oil

  • Brussel Sprouts - Meanwhile rinse and dry the sprouts and trim the ends. Half them lengthwise and transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with a little olive oil and a good pinch of sea salt. Toss to coat and carefully transfer them to the preheated cast iron skillet you have in the oven. Do your best to have them cut side down for a nice golden brown sear. After about 15 minutes in the oven give them a gentle toss so they brown all over. Cook another 10 minutes or so until done to your liking. If your timing is right both the squash + the sprouts should be done at about the same time.

    1 lb brussel sprouts

Make the Rice

  • Combine the black rice, water, orange peel, sea salt and bay leaf in a medium size pot ( I used an 8-inch wide pot). Bring to a simmer and cover with a tight lid. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes until all water has been absorbed. Remove the pot from heat and allow it to sit tightly covered for 10 to 15 minutes, the rice will finish cooking in its own steam.

    1.5 cups black rice, 2.5 cups water, 1 leaf bay, 1 pinch sea salt, 2 strips orange peel

  • Transfer the cooked rice to a mixing bowl and discard the bay and orange peel. Drizzle with a couple of teaspoons of the blood orange olive oil and squeeze half of the orange over the top. Fluff with a fork. Transfer the rice to a large serving tray and top with the roasted butternut squash, red beets and Brussel sprouts.

Make the Blood Orange Citrus Vinaigrette

  • In a small jar combine 3 tablespoons of blood orange olive oil, the lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt. Shake to combine, taste and adjust seasonings with more lemon or salt until you are happy.

    4 tbsp blood orange olive oil, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 pinch sea salt

  • Drizzle the blood orange vinaigrette all over the black rice and roasted vegetable salad. Garnish with the fresh basil, orange zest and edible flowers.

    1 orange, 3 sprigs fresh basil, 2 tbsp edible flowers

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 836mg | Potassium: 980mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 14067IU | Vitamin C: 106mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 3mg

Course: Sides

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: roasted vegetable salad

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 428kcal

Author: Florentina

Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetable Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's a good dressing for roasted vegetables? ›

Combine Ingredients in a Jar: Start by placing balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and lemon juice into a small lidded jar. These ingredients create the best dressing for roasted vegetables. It's a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and smooth flavors that enhance any vegetable dish.

Can I roast vegetables the day before Thanksgiving? ›

Can Roasted Vegetables Be Made The Day Before? Actually, they can! You can roast them till they are almost all soft, then reheat and they will be cooked perfectly and not go too soft.

What is the secret to roasting vegetables? ›

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

How do you make roasted vegetables not soggy? ›

Vegetables need to roast in a single layer without overlapping one another on the baking sheet. This will allow the air to circulate and crisp the outsides (otherwise, the veggies will steam and not crisp). Use Enough Olive Oil. Oil is necessary for the vegetables to caramelize.

What sauce is good on vegetables? ›

8 Irresistible Sauces for Boring Vegetables
  • Copycat Zupas Poppyseed Dressing from The Food Charlatan. ...
  • Easy Peanut Sauce by Zested Lemon. ...
  • Jalapeno Ranch by Natasha's Kitchen. ...
  • 5-Minute Sunshine Sauce by Pinch of Yum. ...
  • Creamy Mango Jalapeno Dressing by Fed and Fit. ...
  • Roasted Red Pepper Pesto by Drizzle and Dip.
Mar 4, 2020

Can roasted vegetables be made ahead and reheated? ›

Roast Vegetables keep, freeze, and reheat beautifully, making them a perfect dish to cook ahead for later use on a busy day.

What can I make 3 day before Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed Potatoes
  1. Classic Make-Ahead Macaroni And Cheese.
  2. Easy Cauliflower Casserole.
  3. Double-Crust Pie Pastry.
  4. Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Homemade Cranberry Sauce.
  6. Lacey's Cornbread Dressing.
  7. 5-Ingredient Thanksgiving Recipes To Make The Holiday Just A Bit Easier.
  8. Can You Leave A Turkey Out To Thaw Overnight?

How do you prep vegetables for Thanksgiving? ›

You can blanch and shock your vegetables by putting them in boiling water for a few minutes to cook, then plunging them into an ice bath. Once they're cool, you can keep them in the fridge until you need them. Try not to use salt — it'll break down the vegetables and make them mushy.

What is the first tip for extra crispy roasted vegetables? ›

The next time you roast vegetables, add some cornstarch. Yes, cornstarch—that box in your pantry is the secret to a super-crispy exterior on veggies, from potatoes to cauliflower. Cornstarch is commonly used to coat proteins like chicken or beef to achieve a crispy exterior, so why not use it with vegetables?

Should I season vegetables before or after roasting? ›

Because salt draws moisture out of the food, season veggies just before roasting. Place vegetables hot side down when applicable. Ideally, roast different vegetables separately since they all cook at different times. You can combine them together afterwards!

Is it better to roast vegetables on foil or parchment? ›

The parchment-lined pan performed slightly better than the foil-lined pan at preventing the vegetables from sticking, though not dramatically so, and both performed better than the unlined tray. But neither browned the vegetables as well as the unlined pan.

What is the best oil to roast vegetables with? ›

For vegetables, chicken, and just about everything else, olive oil and ghee are our first choices for roasting at temperatures over 400°F. Not only do they help food cook up with the crispiness you crave, but each one also imparts its own unique flavor that you just don't get from neutral oils like grapeseed or canola.

Do you roast vegetables in the oven, covered or uncovered? ›

There is no need to cover vegetables when roasting. Covering them creates steam, so they won't get as crispy and caramelized. Don't forget to stir once or twice while cooking so the vegetables get nicely browned on all sides. Other than that, you can't really go wrong.

How do you dress up vegetables? ›

Vinegar—and vinaigrettes—brightens veggies even out of the salad bowl. Try our Roasted Beet Wedges with Champagne Vinegar to see how. I also like tossing our Mustard-Shallot Vinaigrette with grilled or roasted veggies. Spices – Simply adding a new spice to a basic dish elevates it to a whole new level.

Should I cover roasted vegetables? ›

There is no need to cover vegetables when roasting. Covering them creates steam, so they won't get as crispy and caramelized. Don't forget to stir once or twice while cooking so the vegetables get nicely browned on all sides. Other than that, you can't really go wrong.

What are the 4 primary dressing types used on salads? ›

The four main salad dressings are vinaigrette, emulsified vinaigrette, mayonnaise-based, and mayonnaise. An emulsion is the permanent blending of unlike ingredients, such as oil and vinegar. Vinaigrettes are lighter dressings used on more delicate ingredients, like salad greens.

How do you keep roast vegetables moist? ›

Toss the vegetables with a seasoned oil mixture (or just oil if you want the veggie flavors to shine) to keep them from drying out and to flavor the vegetables as they roast.

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