The Ultimate Sweet Potato Kale Salad With Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Crafting a delightful sweet potato kale salad with creamy honey mustard dressing promises a vibrant culinary adventure.

Crisp kale leaves intertwine with roasted golden sweet potato cubes, creating a texture symphony.

Nutty undertones complement the earthy greens and caramelized vegetable notes.

Drizzling the tangy honey mustard dressing adds a luxurious layer of complexity.

Wholesome ingredients dance together, offering a nutritious and satisfying meal experience.

Colorful, fresh, and packed with nutrients, this salad invites you to savor every delectable bite.

Prepare to transform your lunch routine with this irresistible combination of flavors and textures.

Sweet Potato Kale Salad That Everyone Will Love

• Craft a Nutritious Powerhouse: Packed with superfoods like kale, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas, this salad delivers a massive nutrient boost for health-conscious food lovers.
• Master Simple Roasting Techniques: Learn how to perfectly roast vegetables and chickpeas with a blend of spices, creating crispy textures and deep, complex flavors in just one pan.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily swap ingredients or adjust spices to match your taste preferences, making this recipe wonderfully flexible for different dietary needs and flavor profiles.
• Elevate Your Meal Prep Game: Prepare components ahead of time and assemble quickly, transforming a potentially complicated dish into a stress-free, delicious meal that looks and tastes gourmet.

Ingredients That Bring This Salad Together

• Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetables that provide a sweet and tender foundation for the salad.
• Chickpeas: Protein-packed legumes that add crunch and nutty flavor to the dish.
• Sesame Seeds: Tiny seeds that bring a subtle nutty texture and delicate crunch.
• Olive Oil: Rich cooking oil that helps roast the vegetables and enhance their flavors.
• Chipotle Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Onion Powder, Cumin: Spices that create a warm, smoky seasoning blend.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile.

• Kale: Nutrient-dense leafy green that provides a sturdy base for the salad.
• Mixed Herbs: Fresh herbs that add brightness and aromatic depth.
• Cucumbers: Crisp vegetables that introduce a refreshing element to the dish.

• Dijon Mustard, Stone-Ground Mustard: Tangy condiments that provide complex flavor to the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the mustard's sharpness.
• Tahini: Creamy sesame paste that adds richness to the dressing.
• Lemon Juice, Vinegar: Acidic ingredients that brighten and balance the dressing.
• Avocado: Creamy fruit that adds healthy fat and smooth texture.
• Feta Cheese: Salty, crumbly cheese that provides a tangy finish to the salad.

Easy Steps to Make Sweet Potato Kale Salad

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 425F (220C). This high heat will help create crispy, caramelized goodness for your sweet potatoes and chickpeas.

Step 2: Prepare Roasting Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes
• Chickpeas
• Olive oil
• Sesame seeds
• Chipotle chili powder
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss everything together on a baking sheet, making sure each piece gets a good coating of spices and oil.

Step 3: Roast to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the magic happen.

After 20 minutes, give everything a quick stir. Continue roasting for another 20 minutes until chickpeas are delightfully crisp and sweet potatoes are tender and golden.

Step 4: Create Salad Foundation

• Shredded kale
• Mixed herbs
• Cucumbers

These fresh ingredients will form the base of your vibrant salad.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• Stone-ground mustard
• Honey
• Tahini
• Lemon juice
• Vinegar

Shake or whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 6: Massage and Mix

Drizzle a few spoonfuls of dressing over the kale and gently massage it into the greens.

This helps soften the kale and infuse it with flavor. Add the roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas, then mix everything together.

Step 7: Final Flourish

• Sliced avocado
• Crumbled feta

Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite of this nutrient-packed meal.

Tips to Boost Flavor and Texture

• Massage kale with dressing to soften leaves and enhance taste absorption, making the salad more tender and flavorful.
• Toast extra sesame seeds or add chopped nuts for additional texture and nutty undertones in the salad.
• Adjust chipotle chili powder quantity to match personal heat preferences without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Roast sweet potatoes and chickpeas ahead of time, storing separately to quickly assemble the salad during busy weekdays.
• Replace feta with nutritional yeast for a vegan version or use plant-based yogurt in the dressing for dairy-free alternatives.

Variations to Add Your Personal Touch

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace chickpeas with grilled halloumi cheese, add sun-dried tomatoes, and swap honey mustard for a za'atar-infused vinaigrette.
• Southwest Spice Boost: Incorporate black beans instead of chickpeas, add roasted corn, sprinkle cotija cheese, and use a chipotle-lime dressing for extra heat.
• Protein Power Bowl: Include grilled chicken or tofu, mix quinoa into the base, add roasted almonds, and create a tahini-based protein dressing.
• Winter Comfort Edition: Substitute kale with roasted brussels sprouts, add crispy bacon bits, include caramelized onions, and use a maple-mustard dressing for warmth.

Side Dishes That Pair Nicely

• Pair Perfect Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc complements the salad's tangy dressing and fresh herbs, cutting through the richness of roasted sweet potatoes and providing a bright, zesty counterpoint.
• Enhance with Rustic Craft Beer: Wheat beer or a light pale ale matches the earthy kale and smoky roasted chickpeas, balancing the salad's complex spice profile while refreshing the palate.
• Boost Flavor with Sparkling Water Twist: Citrus-infused sparkling water highlights the lemon and honey notes in the dressing, cleansing the palate between bites and adding a light, effervescent touch to the meal.

How to Store This Salad Safely

Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy kale.

Store roasted chickpeas and sweet potatoes in a separate container to maintain their crispiness and prevent moisture buildup.

Store honey mustard dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake well before reusing.

Warm roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Add fresh kale and dressing just before serving to maintain texture and freshness.

FAQs

• Are sweet potatoes really healthy?

Sweet potatoes are nutrient powerhouses packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. They support eye health, boost immunity, and provide sustained energy.

• Why add chickpeas to the salad?

Chickpeas are protein-rich legumes that add plant-based protein, fiber, and a delightful crunch to the salad. They complement the sweet potatoes perfectly and make the dish more filling.

• What makes tahini special in the dressing?

Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds, adds a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture to the dressing. It’s also loaded with healthy fats, minerals, and provides a unique Mediterranean twist.

Sweet Potato Kale Salad With Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty sweet potato kale salad whisks Mediterranean flavors into a nourishing culinary adventure. Crisp kale, roasted sweet potatoes, and tangy honey mustard dressing create a wholesome meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5–6 cups shredded kale
• 2 sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks
• 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) chickpeas, drained and patted dry
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup mixed herbs (basil, dill, parsley)
• 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons champagne or apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), preparing a spacious baking sheet for roasting vegetables and legumes with aromatic spices.
2. Distribute sweet potatoes and chickpeas across the baking sheet, generously coating them with olive oil, sesame seeds, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
3. Roast the seasoned mixture for 20 minutes, then stir thoroughly to ensure even caramelization and crispiness.
4. Continue roasting for an additional 20 minutes until chickpeas develop a crunchy exterior and sweet potatoes become tender and golden.
5. While vegetables are roasting, prepare the salad base by combining shredded kale with mixed herbs and thinly sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl.
6. Create the creamy dressing by vigorously whisking olive oil, Dijon mustard, stone-ground mustard, honey, tahini, lemon juice, and vinegar in a sealed jar until fully emulsified.
7. Season the dressing with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
8. Massage a few tablespoons of dressing into the kale, softening the leaves and enhancing their flavor absorption.
9. Gently incorporate the roasted sweet potatoes and crispy chickpeas into the kale mixture, ensuring even distribution.
10. Garnish the salad with sliced avocado and crumbled feta cheese for added richness and texture.
11. Serve immediately to maintain the optimal temperature and crispiness of the roasted elements.

Notes

• Boost roasting flavor by patting sweet potatoes and chickpeas dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness.
• Massage kale thoroughly with dressing to break down tough fibers, making the salad more tender and easier to digest.
• Customize protein options by substituting chickpeas with grilled tofu, tempeh, or lean chicken for varied dietary preferences.
• Prepare extra dressing and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days, using as a versatile sauce for other salads or grain bowls.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 289 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg