Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing, Cranberries, and Feta Recipe

Introduction

This Sweet Potato Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines roasted sweet potatoes with a tangy honey mustard dressing and fresh greens. It’s perfect as a hearty side or a light meal on its own, blending sweet, savory, and crunchy elements in every bite.

A white bowl filled with a colorful salad sits on a white marbled texture. The salad has a base layer of fresh green spinach leaves, topped with bright orange cubed sweet potatoes, small white crumbles of cheese, dried red cranberries scattered throughout, thin slices of translucent red onions, and green pumpkin seeds sprinkled on top, giving a mix of rough and smooth textures. Nearby, there is a piece of golden brown bread with a bite taken out of it, two white salt and pepper shakers, and part of a green and white striped cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sweet potato, peeled and cut into small ½ inch or smaller cubes (can use store-bought sweet potato cubes)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1½ teaspoons sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey (can use up to 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 5 ounces baby spinach and baby arugula blend (or any greens you prefer)
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries (plus more for garnish)
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • ½ cup feta cheese
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into small cubes about ½ inch or smaller. Toss the cubes with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil until evenly coated, then spread them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle the sweet potatoes with 1½ teaspoons sea salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, tossing gently to season evenly. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes and then every 10 minutes until fork tender. For crispier edges, broil for a few minutes at the end of baking.
  4. Step 4: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature before assembling the salad.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon each of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper until fully combined. Set aside.
  6. Step 6: In a large serving bowl, place the baby spinach and arugula blend. Drizzle on the prepared dressing and toss to lightly coat the greens.
  7. Step 7: Add the cooled sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, and thinly sliced red onion to the greens. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.
  8. Step 8: Serve immediately, garnished with additional dried cranberries or pumpkin seeds if desired. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, sprinkle the sweet potatoes with smoked paprika or cinnamon before roasting.
  • Substitute kale or mixed greens if you prefer a different salad base.
  • Add toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for an additional crunch.
  • You can replace feta with goat cheese for a creamier texture.
  • If you like a tangier dressing, increase the apple cider vinegar or add a splash of lemon juice.

Storage

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best texture, keep the dressing separate and toss the salad just before serving when reheating is not recommended, as the greens can wilt and sweet potatoes become soft.

How to Serve

The image shows a white bowl filled with a colorful salad. The bottom layer has bright orange roasted sweet potato cubes that look soft and slightly speckled. On top of that, there are fresh green spinach leaves scattered around, some with light veins visible. Thin slices of light purple red onion are spread evenly throughout the salad. Bright red dried cranberries add pops of color, while small, flat, green pumpkin seeds are sprinkled over everything. Crumbled white feta cheese is generously placed on top, giving a crumbly texture. Two silver salad forks rest inside the bowl, with the bowl set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the roasted sweet potatoes and dressing in advance. Store them separately and combine with fresh greens just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.

Can I use fresh sweet potatoes instead of pre-cut cubes?

Absolutely! Just peel and cut the sweet potatoes into small, evenly sized cubes to ensure they roast evenly. Pre-cut cubes are a convenient option if short on time.

Print

Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing, Cranberries, and Feta Recipe

A vibrant and nutritious Sweet Potato Salad featuring roasted sweet potatoes, a tangy honey mustard dressing, and a mix of fresh greens, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and creamy feta cheese. Perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish.

  • Author: Elena
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potatoes

  • 2 pounds sweet potato (peeled, cut into small ½ inch or smaller cubes; can use store bought sweet potato cubes)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1½ teaspoons sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey (can use up to 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Salad

  • 5 ounces baby spinach and baby arugula blend (or any greens you prefer)
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries (plus more for garnish)
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • ½ cup feta cheese
  • ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)

Instructions

  1. Roast Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into small ½ inch or smaller cubes. Toss them with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil until coated and spread in a single even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Season with 1½ teaspoons sea salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, toss to evenly coat.
  2. Bake Sweet Potatoes: Bake the sweet potatoes for 25 to 35 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes and then every 10 minutes thereafter, until fork tender. For a crispier texture, broil for a few minutes after baking. Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature.
  3. Prepare Honey Mustard Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, whisk or shake together 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper until fully combined. Set aside.
  4. Assemble Salad: Place the baby spinach and baby arugula blend into a large serving bowl. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the greens and toss gently until lightly coated.
  5. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the cooled roasted sweet potatoes, ¼ cup dried cranberries, ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, ½ cup feta cheese, and ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion to the bowl. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  6. Serve: Garnish with additional dried cranberries if desired and serve immediately for best freshness and flavor.

Notes

  • You can use store bought pre-cubed sweet potatoes for convenience.
  • For crispier sweet potatoes, use the broil setting for a couple of minutes after baking.
  • If you prefer a sweeter dressing, increase honey up to 3 tablespoons.
  • This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; dress before serving to avoid sogginess.

Keywords: sweet potato salad, roasted sweet potatoes, honey mustard dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, fall salad, easy side dish

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