Sweet Potato Salad

3.98

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This sweet potato salad is a tasty side dish featuring roasted sweet potatoes, creamy avocado chunks, chopped spinach, red onion and dried cranberries. It’s the perfect side for parties, potlucks and holiday dinners.

If you love sweet potatoes and want to find the perfect sweet potato salad, look no further. This one tastes amazing and it’s really easy to whip up!

While I certainly enjoyed all of those salads as a kid, it never hurts to upgrade a bit. So that’s what I’ve done here. This sweet potato salad is a remake of traditional potato salad, but this version is packed with veggies (spinach, red onion and avocado), has some dried cranberries for some sweetness and there’s no real dressing — just lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, which makes for a sweet and zesty salad.

Bowl of roasted sweet potato salad with cranberries, onion, spinach and avocado.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

  • It’s vegan, gluten-free and really tasty.
  • Makes the perfect easy side salad.
  • Such a great way to serve roasted sweet potatoes.
Lemon, cranberries, spinach, avocado, sweet potatoes and red onion on a sheet pan.

Sweet Potato Salad Ingredients

  • sweet potatoes
  • spinach
  • red onion, chopped very small
  • apple cider vinegar
  • lemon juice
  • dried cranberries
  • avocado
  • avocado oil, sea salt and pepper

The potatoes can be roasted ahead of time and once that step is done the salad comes together in a matter of minutes. It’s great served cold (or at room temp), making it perfect for BBQs, potlucks and parties.

Sweet potato chunks roasted on a sheet pan.

Why Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Anything with roasted sweet potatoes is bound to be delicious, and this roasted sweet potato salad is no exception. I’m sure you’ve noticed, but roasting veggies brings out their natural sweetness. And sweet potatoes are such a nutrient-rich vegetable. They’re loaded with fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C. In addition, the orange and purple varieties of sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals.

Side by side photo of a bowl with sweet potato salad ingredients. In one bowl the ingredients are in the bowl organized. In the second photo they are all mixed together.

How to Make This Salad

Once you the sweet potatoes are roasted you simply let them cool and then toss with the spinach, red onion, dried cranberries, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and avocado. That’s it! It so simple, but so so good.

Bowl of sweet potato salad with avocado, spinach, onion and cranberries.

How to Serve and Store

I love serving this dish as a side for dinner with my apple cider vinegar chicken, these baked chicken tenders or grilled lemon pepper shrimp skewers. It’s great served cold or at room temp, which also makes it perfect for BBQs, potlucks and parties. One batch makes about 6 servings so if you’re making it for a potluck you may want to double the recipe.

I recommend serving this salad right away, but it you want to prep it ahead of time, you can roast the sweet potatoes and chop all the veggies up to a day in advance. After roasting, let the sweet potatoes cool and store in the fridge until you’re ready to make the salad. The avocado is best added just before serving, but leftovers of the salad will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. The avocado might turn a little brown so not the prettiest for serving to guests, but it will still taste good!

Bowl of sweet potato, avocado and spinach salad garnished with lemon wedges. A fork and napkin are beside the bowl.

More Side Salads You’ll Love

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3.98 from 221 votes

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

This roasted sweet potato salad has chopped spinach, creamy avocado chunks, red onion and dried cranberries. Serve as a side dish with your favorite protein. 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients  

  • 10 cups sweet potatoes, about 3 large, chopped evenly into bite-size chunks
  • 1 Tablespoon avocado or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 ounces baby spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, chopped very small
  • 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 avocado, chopped in chunks
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1-2 Tablespoons hemp seeds, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400° F. Place sweet potato chunks into a large bowl and toss with oil and sea salt. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through, flipping once. Remove from oven and let the potato chunks cool. This step can be done ahead of time. Just keep the roasted potatoes in the fridge and complete step 2 the day you want to enjoy the salad.
  • While the potatoes are roasting, add the chopped spinach, onion, dried cranberries, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add cooled sweet potato chunks to the bowl and stir to combine. Gently stir in avocado and sea salt. Add ground pepper to taste. Sprinkle on hemp seeds (if using). Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve. Can be eaten cold or at room temperature.
  • Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to two days. If needed, add a splash of extra lemon juice before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of recipe (without hemp seeds) | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 730mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 16g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: roasted sweet potato salad
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
Chicken fajita filling on a sheet pan with a wooden spoon. Tortillas are resting on the bottom of the sheet pan.
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Recipe Rating




94 Comments

  1. Looooooove the addition of dried fruit to this recipe! So clever. Love my sweet potatoes so you know this recipe is happening!

  2. Coconut oil and sweet potatoes is like my most favorite combo ever! So this salad? I need it in my face STAT!

  3. Wow! I wish I could eat this through the screen right now! It looks mouthwatering!

  4. Your salads line-up makes me hungry. Clean and nutritious food, that’s something I want eat. I’m trying to maintain my weight so I avoid processed food and fast food.

  5. We made this salad for dinner tonight to accompany a pork sirloin roast and must say it was phenomenal. The combination of flavors are wonderful.

  6. 1) think it would do ok frozen and then thawed? 2) do you happen to have the nutritional stats, or even just the recommended serving size? Thanks!

    1. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it. I don’t think it would hold up every well. I added the nutrition stats for you! 🙂

  7. Just make this salad today for lunch. Rave reviews! Have leftovers so we’ll get to enjoy it tomorow too! 🙂

  8. 4 stars
    This salad was really quite interesting! All the flavours paired very well with each other and become exceptional with the addition of some pepita seeds. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  9. NEVER liked any sweet potato salad recipes before this. If I was into processed meats, I would add bacon to this 🙂 but as listed, the recipe is delicious!! I used golden raisins, and they were a refreshing tart, but not too tart combo. Thank you!

  10. Hi Brittany! Do you think I could use frozen pre-cut sweet potatoes? I want to make a big batch of this but hate cutting sweet potatoes! Haha! Let me know 🙂

    1. Hi Lisa! Hmmm…. I think this should work, but I’m not 100% because I haven’t tried it. Where do you get the frozen pre-cut sweet potatoes?

  11. So so so scrumptious! For the dried fruit I put in a trail mix of nuts and raisins and seeds. This is my new favorite salad. Thank you!

    1. Yay! So glad that you enjoyed it, Gary. And thank you so much for coming back and leaving me a comment to let me know how it turned out. I so appreciate it!

  12. 5 stars
    I made this today and it’s absolutely delicious!!! Very flavorful, light, and amazing!! This one is definitely a keeper!!

    1. Yay!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth. And thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. This helps me out so much!

  13. 5 stars
    I made this and it was so delicious! Had it with grilled fish and even had some leftover for lunch the next day!

  14. Made this tonight as written except we topped it with a little feta, and it was amazing! Even my meat-loving husband raved about it 🙂 This salad recipe is a keeper. Thanks!

  15. I must admit I had to google strawberry pretzel and Watergate salads. How did I miss these as a kid? Not my jam now but back in the day I would have been all over these!
    Thanks for this yummy sounding salad. I can’t wait to make it.

  16. 5 stars
    Just made this and so yummy. I added some pepitas, hemp seed hearts and added avocado to just a single bowl so I could store rest. Also added some dill and golden kiwi which was a surprisingly nice flavor compliment and extra vitamins! Will make again and explore the add-ins. Thank you.

    1. Ohhh love the mix-in’s you added! Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed this salad, Beth. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I appreciate it.

  17. Me gusta la combinación de alimentos que haces. Gracias por la receta, la haré un cuanto pueda, todos ingredientes me gustan.

  18. 5 stars
    The flavors in this recipe were phenomenal! And such a simple dressing. I didn’t have the dried cranberries, but still delicious!

    1. That makes me so happy to hear!! I’m glad this salad was a hit. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3

  19. 5 stars
    Currently my favorite salad! I’m obsessed!! I keep forgetting to buy Apple cider vinegar so I just used red wine vinegar. I will be making this so often! I love the avocado and sweet potato together.

    1. Woo-hoo! So glad you’re loving this salad, Mallory. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It means the world to me. 🙂

  20. 5 stars
    Oh my word! Perfect flavors and the best compliment from my husband, “I could eat this all day!” A visually beautiful salad as well.

    1. Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Dorothy. I’m glad this salad was a hit! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂

    2. 5 stars
      My husband just said the exact same thing! What’s really crazy is the dressing of just ACV & lemon juice. Wacky brilliance from Brittany once again. Next time I double

  21. 5 stars
    I made this a few weeks ago for the first time and was so wowed by the flavors! Definitely a new go to recipe and I’m making a different salad today and will be incorporating this dressing. Thank you!

    1. Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear, Marie. I’m so pumped you loved this salad. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I appreciate it. <3

  22. 5 stars
    Holy cow. I usually don’t write reviews for recipes but I’m halfway through eating this and have to say it’s incredible! Super easy and so hard to put down

    1. Ahh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear, Nicole. I’m so glad this salad is a hit. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  23. 5 stars
    Forgive me for adjusting a recipe when I never tried the original, but we need to drive to another state tomorrow for my husband’s cancer treatment. it’ll be a long day and I wanted something filling and nutritious to pack in our car fridge. I didn’t have an avocado or cranberries, so I added four diced beets and some lemon basil and parsley from our garden.It is so delicious! This is a great recipe and it can even handle personalizing!

    1. My recipes are meant to be adjusted based on what you already have on hand, so I’m glad you made it your own, Deb! I’m glad this salad was a hit. Will be sending lots of positive and healing vibes to your husband and family as he goes through treatment. <3

  24. I’m planning to make this this weekend for a fall party and I was curious if the dressing was just the vinegar and lemon juice or if you’re supposed to whisk in oil. Thank you!

  25. 5 stars
    This was excellent! The combination of flavors becomes greater than the sum of its parts!
    I did have some left over and sadly (but as would be expected) it just wasn’t the same after being in the fridge. My advice is either scale to the right amount you’ll eat that day, or scale your appetite up to the amount you make, lol! 🙂

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this salad, Jill. Another option for leftovers is to leave out the liquid, portion out how much you want to eat add the liquid and immediately serve. Then for the leftovers, add the lemon juice + acv right before serving.

  26. Hi Brittany,

    I was wondering if you could recommend a different dressing for this salad? I really want to try it but I’m not a huge Apple cider vinegar fan. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

  27. 5 stars
    I made 1/2 batch because it was just for me. Had it for lunch and dinner. Although there wasn’t much left for dinner because I couldn’t stop eating it at lunch!! Absolutely delicious!. Was skeptical about only vinegar and lemon juice for the dressing but it was perfect. Will definitely be making this again and again and again.

    1. Yay!! I’m so pumped this salad was a hit, Nancy! Thanks for making it and coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  28. 5 stars
    I googled a sweet potato salad and came across this recipe. It is amazing!!! Adding to my list of regulars. This was the first recipe I tried from your site. Do you have any other favorites I should try next? (I typically prefer lower fat recipes.)

    1. So glad you enjoyed this salad, Julie!! So glad you found it. I have tons of delicious recipes on the blog, what are you looking for… salads, dinner ideas, dessert ideas, snacks, etc.?

      1. 5 stars
        Thank you so much for your response! I was looking for Dinner ideas, salads, meal prep, anything really. I have looked at your website, and so many interest me that I can’t decide which one to try first. 😃 What are some of your fan favorites that You would suggest I should try next? Thank you again!

  29. 5 stars
    I made the Sweet potato salad tonight, practicing for doing it for Thanksgiving! So good! We have more vegetarians this year,so this is good for the veggie lovers and sweet potato people. I substituted Balsamic vinegar for apple cider vinegar 😃

    1. Yay!! Happy to hear this sweet potato salad was a success, Gussie. Thanks for the review and star rating. I really appreciate it!

  30. 5 stars
    This is quite possibly my favorite salad! I did have changes because I used what I had on hand- not a hemp seed and dried cranberry person but followed the rest of the recipe exactly. Thank you – I truly loved this salad!

    1. Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jessica! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it.

  31. 5 stars
    I made this today. I replaced the Apple cider vinegar with red wine vinegar. I added 2 avocados , I blended the red wine vinegar with the lemon juice, and added ground cilantro, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and garlic and herbs salt free seasoning! Delicous!

    1. YUM! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, Melissa. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!

  32. 5 stars
    love this dish! I’ve made it twice and it’s so simple, hearty, and has lots of flavor! With some protein it’s the perfect lunch/dinner.

    1. So glad you enjoyed this salad, Natashia. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

    1. Ahh yay! So glad you loved this salad, Amber. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  33. I loved this salad! It is definitely joining my go to salads as I love roasted sweet potato in a salad.

    If you like a sweeter dressing like I do, add some olive oil and honey to to the apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. It came out great.

    We had some tehina sitting around and it was a fabulous dressing as well for this salad.

    1. YUMM! I am so glad you are loving this recipe, Elle. It is one of my favorites! Thank you for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!