Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

Easy Sweet Potato Salad Recipe That Wows Every Time

Crafting a delightful sweet potato salad combines vibrant flavors and unexpected textures that dance on your plate.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly in this colorful dish.

Crisp vegetables complement the soft, caramelized sweet potato chunks.

Herbs and spices add unexpected depth to each delectable bite.

Mediterranean-inspired elements bring a fresh twist to this classic side.

Creamy dressing weaves through the ingredients, creating harmony in every forkful.

What Makes Sweet Potato Salad a Healthy Favorite

  • Boost Nutrition Easily: Packed with vitamins, fiber, and minerals from sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and fresh herbs, this salad delivers a powerful nutritional punch for health-conscious eaters.
  • Customize Your Culinary Creation: Swap ingredients to match dietary preferences or pantry availability, making this recipe super flexible for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone seeking a quick meal solution.
  • Transform Leftovers into Magic: Perfect for meal prep, this salad tastes even better after chilling, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, which means delicious meals are ready in minutes the next day.
  • Zero Complicated Techniques: Requires basic kitchen skills like chopping and roasting, making it accessible for home cooks of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned kitchen pros.

Ingredients for Vibrant Sweet Potato Salad That Nourishes

Main Roasted Vegetables:
  • Sweet Potatoes: A nutritious and hearty root vegetable that provides a sweet and caramelized base for the salad.
Fresh Vegetables:
  • Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Parsley: Colorful vegetables that add crunch, sharpness, and fresh herbal notes to the salad.
Dressing Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, Salt, Pepper: A tangy and zesty mixture that enhances the flavors and brings the salad together with a smooth and balanced dressing.

How to Toss Sweet Potato Salad to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Roasting Setup

Grab your baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Set your oven to warm up at 400°F.

Step 2: Chop Sweet Potatoes

Peel sweet potatoes and slice them into small, even cubes. These chunks will become golden and delicious when roasted.

Step 3: Season Potato Cubes

Toss potato cubes with:
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Spread the seasoned cubes evenly across the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4: Roast Potato Chunks

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even browning. The potatoes should turn tender with crispy caramelized edges.

Step 5: Prepare Vegetable Mix

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • Chopped bell peppers
  • Thinly sliced red onions
  • Fresh parsley

Step 6: Whip Up Tangy Dressing

In a separate small bowl, whisk together:
  • Olive oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Step 7: Assemble Salad

Once sweet potatoes cool down, add them to the vegetable mixture. Drizzle with prepared dressing and gently toss everything together.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately for a warm salad or chill in the refrigerator to let flavors meld and intensify.

Handy Tips for Crisp and Flavorful Sweet Potato Salad

  • Roast sweet potatoes at high heat to achieve maximum caramelization and crispy edges for deeper flavor profiles.
  • Choose firm, fresh sweet potatoes with smooth skin to ensure best texture and sweetness in the salad.
  • Chop vegetables uniformly to create balanced bites and ensure even dressing distribution.
  • Allow roasted sweet potatoes to cool slightly before mixing to prevent wilting other salad ingredients and maintain their distinct texture.
  • Prepare dressing separately and adjust seasoning to taste, using high-quality apple cider vinegar for bright, tangy notes that complement the sweet potatoes.

Creative Spins on Classic Sweet Potato Salad to Try

  • Vegan Protein Boost: Replace roasted sweet potatoes with roasted chickpeas for added protein, keeping the same spice blend and dressing.
  • Mediterranean Remix: Swap bell peppers with cucumber, add crumbled feta cheese, and incorporate kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version.
  • Spicy Southwest Style: Use diced jalapeños instead of bell peppers, add black beans, sprinkle chili powder on sweet potatoes, and replace apple cider vinegar with lime juice in the dressing.
  • Autumn Harvest Variation: Mix roasted butternut squash with sweet potatoes, add toasted pumpkin seeds, and include dried cranberries for a seasonal touch.

Pairings That Compliment Sweet Potato Salad Beautifully

  • Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the sweet potato's rich, caramelized flavor and cut through the tangy vinaigrette.
  • Serve alongside a rustic rosemary or thyme focaccia that echoes the parsley notes and provides a crunchy texture contrast to the soft roasted vegetables.
  • Add grilled chickpeas or crumbled feta cheese to boost protein content and create a more substantial vegetarian meal with complementary Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
  • Enjoy a chilled almond milk smoothie or light kefir to provide a creamy, protein-packed accompaniment that harmonizes with the salad's earthy and bright taste profile.

How to Keep Sweet Potato Salad Fresh and Crisp

  • Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping sweet potatoes and vegetables crisp and fresh.
  • Avoid Freezing: Sweet potato salad doesn't freeze well due to vegetable texture changes and potential sogginess.
  • Chilled Serving: Enjoy cold directly from refrigerator or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften dressing.
  • Refresh Before Eating: Gently stir and add a splash of olive oil or apple cider vinegar to revive flavors and restore moisture if salad seems dry.

FAQs

  • Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are incredibly nutritious. They’re packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. They support eye health, boost immunity, and help regulate blood sugar levels.

  • Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! You can roast the sweet potatoes and prepare the vegetables a day in advance. Keep them separate and combine just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.

  • Is this salad good for weight loss?

This salad is excellent for weight loss. It’s low in calories, high in nutrients, and contains complex carbohydrates that keep you feeling full. The combination of roasted sweet potatoes and vegetables provides balanced nutrition.

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Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

Sweet Potato Salad Recipe


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4.7 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mediterranean sweet potato salad blends roasted root vegetables with zesty herbs and tangy feta cheese. Fresh ingredients create a balanced Mediterranean-inspired dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large sweet potatoes
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) red onion
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven to 400°F and arrange parchment paper on a baking sheet for optimal roasting surface.
  2. Carefully peel and transform sweet potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes, ensuring consistent cooking.
  3. Generously coat sweet potato pieces with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper, distributing evenly across the baking sheet.
  4. Roast the sweet potato cubes for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to achieve a golden, caramelized exterior and tender interior.
  5. While potatoes roast, finely chop bell peppers and thinly slice red onions, creating a vibrant vegetable base.
  6. Mince fresh parsley to add a bright, herbaceous element to the salad mixture.
  7. Create a tangy dressing by whisking olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
  8. Allow roasted sweet potatoes to cool to room temperature, preventing wilting of fresh vegetables.
  9. Gently combine roasted sweet potatoes with chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
  10. Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad, carefully tossing to ensure even coating without crushing the ingredients.
  11. Serve immediately for optimal texture or refrigerate briefly to allow flavors to meld and intensify.

Notes

  • Boost nutrition by keeping sweet potato skin on, which contains extra fiber and vitamins.
  • Customize sweetness by selecting different potato varieties like orange or purple sweet potatoes for varied flavor profiles.
  • Enhance protein content by adding quinoa, chickpeas, or crumbled feta cheese for vegetarian protein options.
  • Make ahead by roasting sweet potatoes and preparing dressing separately, then combining just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 190 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8.3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Clara Bennett

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.


Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

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