Roasted Delco Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
A vibrant salad featuring roasted sweet potatoes and kale from Delaware County, tossed in a sweet and tangy maple vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads ready in about 45 minutes pairs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, kale leaves, stems removed and chopped, olive oil 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
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cups kale leaves, stems removed and chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until tender and caramelized.
- Step 2: While sweet potatoes roast, massage 4 cups chopped kale leaves with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt for 2 minutes until softened and bright green.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and remaining 1 tbsp olive oil until emulsified.
- Step 4: Transfer roasted sweet potatoes to a large salad bowl, add the massaged kale, 1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans, and 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese.
- Step 5: Drizzle the maple vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Step 6: Serve the salad slightly warm or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Delco Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Maple Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 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 Roasted Delco Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Maple 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 Roasted Delco Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Maple 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 Roasted Delco Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Maple 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.
What goes well with Roasted Delco Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Maple Vinaigrette?
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.