Kent's Fun Day Trip Salad
A vibrant picnic salad with roasted sweet potatoes, colorful veggies, and lemon vinaigrette—perfect for exploring Kent's trails. This american-inspired salads ready in about 45 minutes pairs (140g) mixed greens, (150g) cherry tomatoes, (75g) cucumber 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 280 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.
Ingredients
- 5 cups (140g) mixed greens
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (75g) cucumber
- 1/2 cup (75g) red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup (75g) yellow bell pepper
- 1/4 cup (35g) red onion
- 1 medium (150g) sweet potato
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup (35g) feta cheese
- 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 1 medium peeled and cubed sweet potato (1/2-inch pieces) with 1 tsp olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized, stirring once halfway.
- Step 2: Whisk 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 5 cups mixed greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper, and 1/4 cup sliced red onion.
- Step 4: Add the warm roasted sweet potatoes to the greens and toss gently. Drizzle with 1/4 cup vinaigrette and toss until evenly coated. Top with 1/4 cup crumbled feta just before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kent's Fun Day Trip Salad take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Kent's Fun Day Trip Salad?
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 (140g) mixed greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Kent's Fun Day Trip Salad?
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 Kent's Fun Day Trip Salad 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.
What goes well with Kent's Fun Day Trip Salad?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
