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Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad Recipe

4.8 from 93 reviews

A vibrant and nutritious Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad featuring roasted sweet potatoes, protein-packed quinoa, black beans, creamy avocado, and a zesty lime-maple dressing. This salad combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with crunchy almonds and dried cranberries for a wholesome, satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For Salad

  • 1 ½ lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into ½ inch size
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium avocado, chopped
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup slivered almonds
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

For Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Season the sweet potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper until all pieces are evenly coated with the spices and oil.
  3. Roast the sweet potatoes: Spread the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking tray. Roast in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until tender and nicely caramelized. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
  4. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well emulsified. Set aside.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled roasted sweet potatoes, cooked quinoa, black beans, chopped avocado, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and chopped fresh cilantro.
  6. Toss with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
  7. Serve: Serve the salad immediately with extra dressing on the side, or refrigerate for later enjoyment.

Notes

  • Ensure the sweet potatoes are cut into uniform ½-inch cubes for even roasting.
  • If you prefer, substitute dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried apricots.
  • Make sure quinoa is fully cooked and cooled before adding to prevent mushy texture.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the slivered almonds or replace with toasted pumpkin seeds.
  • This salad can be served warm or chilled according to preference.

Keywords: Sweet Potato Salad, Quinoa Salad, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Healthy Salad, Vegan Salad, Gluten-Free Salad, Black Bean Salad