• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Salads

    Published: Sep 17, 2019 · Modified: Oct 26, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Sweet Potato and Kale Salad

    603 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    - Jump to Recipe -
    Kale salad with sweet potatoes on a plate.
    Kale salad with sweet potatoes on a plate.
    Kale in a bowl with cooked sweet potatoes and walnuts on top.

    This roasted sweet potato kale salad with spiced walnuts features a tangy walnut dressing that totally fits the “hardy salad” bill. I love how easy this kale salad recipe is to make.

    It is hands down the most versatile fall recipe in my little arsenal of cooking goodness. You can serve it warm or cold. It is great as a dinner side dish or as a vegan lunch.

    roasted sweet potato and kale salad on a white plate

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    I have even added bacon and a runny egg to make a sweet potato and kale hash, it is a perfect weekend breakfast!  I am a huge fan of weekend breakfast salads. Is that weird?  No… it's good!

    But the base recipe is simple ingredients and is full of flavor.

    Jump to:
    • 📖Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • ⏲️How to Make Sweet Potato and Kale Salad
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
    • 💭 Variations
    • 🌡️Storage and Meal Prep
    • 🥗More Delicious Salad Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    📖Why This Recipe Works

    • Smoked paprika gives the walnuts a warm Fall spice
    • Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian, with a vegan option.
    • Components can be prepped in advance and combined at mealtime
    • Great starter or side dish for Thanksgiving dinner

    🧾Ingredient Notes

    Kale- I used curly kale but baby kale and lacinato or Tuscan kale also work just as well.

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes- Sweet potato, your oil of choice (I like coconut oil) paprika, garlic powder, and kosher salt. You can use a purple sweet potato or a yam.

    Not a sweet potato fan? Try substituting carrots.

    Spiced Walnuts- Walnuts, a bit more oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper gives the salad a complex smokey flavor. Try it with pecans or almonds for a twist. You can also use seeds like pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds.

    Walnut Oil- Walnut oil is the base for this dressing, and it is available in most grocery stores.

    If you can’t find it substitute 1 tablespoon of VERY finely chopped walnuts and ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil.

    Champagne Vinegar- You can substitute rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

    Honey- Substitute maple syrup for vegan. If you want to dress up the walnut dressing you can use Fermented Garlic Honey in place of regular raw honey.

    You will also need Dijon mustard, fresh thyme, and salt and pepper.

    ingredients for sweet potato kale salad

    ⏲️How to Make Sweet Potato and Kale Salad

    Looking at the recipe you might think there are too many steps or ingredients. I promise it is way easier than it looks. The entire recipe can be made while the sweet potatoes are roasting.

    Step 1- Roast the Sweet Potatoes

    When roasting sweet potatoes, or any other vegetable, the trick is even-sized pieces and ensuring they are in a single layer on your rimmed baking sheet

    For this recipe, cut the sweet potato into ½- inch cubes. That is the perfect bite-sized piece and they will cook in about 20 minutes.

    Toss the sweet potatoes in the oil and spices. They are ready when they are fork tender. The sweet potatoes can be served cooled to room temperature or warm.

    Step 2- Roast the Walnuts

    Once your sweet potatoes are in the oven, prep, and roast the walnuts. They only take 6 to 8 minutes to roast, keep a close eye on them.  

    You might notice that I use smoked paprika for one and regular paprika for the other. That is mainly to keep the smokey flavors from becoming overwhelming. You can use smoked paprika for both or for neither, your kitchen your call!

    Sweet potatoes and walnuts on baking sheets and person pouring salad dressing on fresh kale.

    Step 3- Make the Salad Dressing

    For the walnut vinaigrette, combine all the dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake. Or you can be classy and do it in a blender while you drizzle in your walnut oil.

    Step 4- Assemble the Salad

    Destem and chop the fresh kale into 1-inch pieces.

    As soon as the dressing is done I get it on the kale. The vinegar will break down the leaves. The kale becomes less bitter, and softens slightly but still has that crunch.

    To serve top with the cooled (just slightly) sweet potatoes and walnuts. Enjoy!

    table set with sweet potato salad as meal

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

    If your kale is bitter use your hands to massage in the dressing. Rubbing the kale will break down cellular walls reducing the bitterness. Allow the kale to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.

    💭 Variations

    • For a warm kale salad, saute kale in neutral oil for 3-5 minutes before dressing. Top with sweet potatoes and spiced walnuts. Serve immediately. 
    • Add apple slices for an extra crunch.
    • If you want to add cheese I suggest crumbled goat cheese or Boursin cheese.
    • Add roasted red onion for a bit more zing.
    • For added protein try roasted chickpeas or grilled chicken.
    • Try this salad with our honey mustard dressing or sugar-free poppy seed dressing.

    🌡️Storage and Meal Prep

    To make it in advance, dress the chopped kale. Keep the sweet potatoes, dressed kale, and walnuts in separate airtight containers. The walnuts will keep at room temperature for a week. The kale and sweet potatoes will keep for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

    Leftover salad should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be eaten cold.

    🥗More Delicious Salad Recipes

    We hoped this is your new favorite salad recipe. But here are a few more we love!

    • Kale Salad with Cranberries
    • Cranberry Chicken Salad
    • Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pomegranate
    • Dragon Fruit Salad

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    sweet potato salad on white plate

    Sweet Potato and Kale Salad

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    Roasted sweet potatoes, spiced walnuts, healthy kale & a tangy walnut vinaigrette make for the perfect Fall salad. Great salad recipe for lunch or dinner.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine American, British, Fall, French
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 479 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cutting board
    • Large Knife
    • Sheet pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups kale, stems removed and chopped

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into ½ inch cubes
    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Spiced Walnuts

    • 1 cup walnuts, halves
    • 2 teaspoon coconut oil, melted
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Walnut Vinaigrette

    • ¼ cup walnut oil
    • 2 tablespoon champagne vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon raw honey
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

    Instructions
     

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Toss cubed sweet potatoes with melted coconut oil and spices. Spread out sweet potatoes on a sheet pan.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until fork tender (but not mushy) tossing halfway through.  Cool to room temperature.
      2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into ½ inch cubes, 2 tablespoon coconut oil, melted, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Spiced Walnuts

    • Toss walnuts with melted coconut oil and spices. Spread out a small sheet pan. Add to the oven with the sweet potatoes. Bake 8 minutes, tossing halfway through.
      1 cup walnuts, halves, 2 teaspoon coconut oil, melted, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Walnut Vinaigrette

    • Place all ingredients in a covered mason job and shake until combined. Salt and pepper to taste.
      ¼ cup walnut oil, 2 tablespoon champagne vinegar, 1 teaspoon raw honey, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

    Salad Assembly

    • In a large bowl, toss kale with dressing. Allow the kale to sit for 5 to 10 minutes to soften. To serve, top with cooled sweet potatoes and spiced walnuts.
      6 cups kale, stems removed and chopped

    Video

    Notes

    • To serve warm, saute kale in coconut oil for 3-5 minutes before dressing. Top with sweet potatoes and spiced walnuts. Serve immediately. 
    • Any neutral oil like olive oil can be substituted for coconut oil. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 479kcal | Carbs: 33g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 38g | Fiber: 10g
    Keyword fall kale salad, sweet potato kale salad recipe
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • How to Cut Carrots for Salad
    • How to Cut Tomatoes for Salad
    • House Salad
    • House Salad Dressing
    603 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Join the Discussion Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      December 21, 2020 at 3:32 pm

      5 stars
      You can't beat a tasty and hearty salad and this one sounds so good! I could eat sweet potato all day long!

      Reply
    2. Nicolette says

      December 21, 2020 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this salad is so fresh and delicious! I love the sweet potato addition to make it heartier!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        December 21, 2020 at 3:32 pm

        Thanks for giving it a try!

        Reply
    3. Beth says

      December 21, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness this looks so delicious and yummy! My husband and I are going to love this recipe! So excited!

      Reply
    4. Claudia says

      December 21, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      Sweet potatoes and Kale? that a genius idea the pairing is perfect together and I must try this ASAP

      Reply
    5. Sue says

      December 21, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      I love this sweet potato and kale combination - I feel like the vitamins are jumping right off the plate to make me healthy!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        December 21, 2020 at 2:55 pm

        Yes comforting and healthy is the way we roll around here!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome Friends!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    Subscribe

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Roast Turkey with Sage and Orange
    • How to Dry Brine a Turkey
    • Homemade Turkey Broth
    • Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens
    • Cranberry Gin Cocktail
    • Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

    Popular Recipes

    • Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • San Marzano Tomato Sauce
    • Demerara Syrup
    • Tanghulu
    • Easy Dog Birthday Cake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2022 Peel with Zeal