Cherokee Park-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Roasted sweet potatoes tossed with crisp greens and drizzled in a nutty pecan vinaigrette, celebrating the natural beauty of Louisville’s Cherokee Park. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, salt, black pepper into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 290 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 medium peeled and cubed sweet potatoes (1-inch pieces) with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until sweet potatoes are tender and edges are caramelized.
  2. Step 2: While potatoes roast, whisk together 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 small minced garlic clove in a bowl. Slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil while whisking until emulsified.
  3. Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens and 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans.
  4. Step 4: Add warm roasted sweet potatoes to the salad bowl and drizzle with the pecan vinaigrette. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cherokee Park-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cherokee Park-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cherokee Park-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cherokee Park-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Cherokee Park-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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