Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

A vibrant, nutritious twist on traditional potato salad featuring tender cubes of roasted sweet potato tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with crunchy mix-ins.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Serves:
6 servings
An overhead shot of a rustic ceramic bowl filled with vibrant orange sweet potato cubes glistening with dressing against a backdrop of weathered wooden table. Soft natural light highlights the varying tones of the caramelized edges of the sweet potatoes, contrasting beautifully with specks of bright green herbs and purple red onions scattered throughout. Several whole sweet potatoes and fresh herbs are artfully arranged beside the bowl, while a wooden serving spoon rests against the side, offering a glimpse of the creamy dressing that binds this nutritious salad together.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">900g sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2.5cm cubes</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp olive oil</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp smoked paprika</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp garlic powder</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp salt</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp black pepper</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">80g mayonnaise</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">60g Greek yogurt</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp dijon mustard</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp apple cider vinegar</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp honey</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 small red onion, finely diced</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 celery stalks, finely diced</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped</li> </ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Large baking tray</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Mixing bowls</li> </ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. This temperature is perfect for caramelizing the sweet potatoes' natural sugars while creating a tender interior. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> In a large bowl, toss the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Make sure each cube is well-seasoned as this forms the flavor foundation of your salad. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on your prepared baking tray, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. If sweet potatoes are too close together, they'll steam rather than roast, preventing those delicious caramelized edges from forming. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Bake for 25-30 minutes, gently turning the sweet potatoes halfway through cooking. They're done when the edges are slightly browned and crisp while the centers are fork-tender. Keep a close eye in the final minutes as the natural sugars can burn quickly. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> While the sweet potatoes are roasting, prepare your dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a large bowl until smooth and well combined. The acid from the vinegar cuts through the richness while the honey complements the sweet potatoes' natural flavor. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Allow the roasted sweet potatoes to cool for about 10 minutes after removing from the oven. This cooling period is crucial – adding hot potatoes to your dressing would cause it to break down and become thin rather than creamy. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Add the cooled sweet potatoes, diced red onion, and celery to your dressing bowl. Gently fold everything together using a rubber spatula, being careful not to mash the sweet potatoes. The goal is to maintain their roasted cube structure while evenly coating with dressing. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Fold in most of the chopped fresh herbs, reserving a small amount for garnish. Fresh herbs add brightness that balances the rich, creamy elements of the salad. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4> Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. The salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for meal prep. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4> Before serving, let the salad sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes (cold temperatures dull flavors), then give it a gentle stir and sprinkle with the reserved herbs for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your beautiful, nutritious sweet potato salad! </li> </ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 serving
🔥 Calories: 420 calories
🥑 Fat: 24 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 11 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 28 g
🍭 Sugar: 4 g
🍗 Protein: 22 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 75 mg
🧂 Sodium: 820 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Can I make this sweet potato salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This salad actually improves when made ahead, allowing flavours to develop. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving and add a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

What's the secret to perfectly roasted sweet potatoes for salad?

The secret lies in three key factors: cutting uniform 2.5cm cubes for even cooking, spreading them in a single layer with space between pieces, and roasting at a high temperature (200°C) until they develop caramelised edges while remaining tender inside. Don't rush the cooling process!

How can I make this sweet potato salad recipe vegan?

Simply swap the mayonnaise for vegan mayo, replace Greek yogurt with plant-based yoghurt or additional vegan mayo, and substitute maple syrup for honey. The rest of the ingredients are already vegan-friendly, and these substitutions won't compromise the creamy texture or flavour balance.

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