Overhead view of a composed salad bowl with sliced medium-rare steak over mixed greens, wild rice, roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, drizzled with creamy dressing, with green and yellow decorative graphics in the top left corner.

recipe

Recipe: Nutritious roasted squash, wild rice, and steak salad

Imagine sitting down to a meal that feels like a warm hug for your body. This salad is not about restriction. It is about deep nourishment. When we reach for real, whole foods like vibrant squash and hearty wild rice, we are giving our cells exactly what they need to thrive.

I have always believed that the food we put in our bodies should be a source of joy. As someone who has navigated the ups and downs of wellness, I know how important it is to have "go-to" meals that are easy, delicious, and leave you feeling steady.

This roasted squash and steak salad is exactly that. It is a colorful, textured masterpiece that proves you can eat well without ever feeling like you are "on a diet."

Prep time: 1 hour
Servings: 4
Cook time: 25 minutes (while rice cooks)

Ingredients

1 cup wild rice (dry)
3 cups butternut squash (peeled, seeds removed, cubed)
1/4 oz avocado oil spray (divided)
1 tbsp poultry seasoning
Sea salt & black pepper (to taste)
1 lb flank steak
4 cups mixed greens
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup dried unsweetened cranberries

Instructions

Cook the rice: Follow the package directions to cook your wild rice until it is tender.
Prep the oven: While the rice is simmering, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Roast the squash: Place your cubed squash on the sheet. Spray with half the avocado oil and season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss well and roast for 20 to 25 minutes until it is brown and fork tender.
Sear the steak: Season your flank steak with salt and pepper. Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat with the remaining oil. Cook the steak for five to six minutes per side. Crucial step: let the steak rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain to keep it juicy.
Assemble and enjoy: Divide the rice, squash, greens, and steak into four bowls. Drizzle with vinaigrette and top with pumpkin seeds and cranberries for that perfect crunch.

Notes:

Leftovers: Store in an airtight container for up to three days, adding dressing only when ready to eat .
Serving Size: One serving is about 3/4 cup rice, 1/2 cup squash, 1/3 cup steak, and 1 cup salad .
Seasoning: If you don't have poultry seasoning, feel free to use another blend or omit it entirely .

Nutrition per serving:

Calories: 510
Protein: 34g
Fiber: 6g
Carbs: 52g
Healthy Fats: 20g
Vitamin A: 11199IU
Sodium: 156mg

Your journey to health is about more than just a number on a scale. It is about how you feel when you wake up in the morning and the energy you have to play with your grandkids or take a walk in the sun. When you choose meals like this steak salad, you are choosing to respect your body. You are choosing to Get Real.

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