Southern Sweet Potato and Kale Salad

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

A hearty salad blending roasted sweet potatoes, crisp kale, and a zesty dressing, rooted in Southern comfort food. This southern-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs cubed sweet potatoes, olive oil, kosher salt 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 340 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: 25 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 340 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 lbs cubed sweet potatoes with 3 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp kosher salt. Roast 25-30 minutes until caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Whisk 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp black pepper for the dressing.
  3. Step 3: Toss 2 cups massaged kale with the dressing until coated. Add roasted sweet potatoes and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan.
  4. Step 4: Top with 1/3 cup chopped pecans and a drizzle of olive oil.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern Sweet Potato and Kale Salad take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (25 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 Southern Sweet Potato and Kale 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 cubed sweet potatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Southern Sweet Potato and Kale 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 Southern Sweet Potato and Kale 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.

Is Southern Sweet Potato and Kale Salad 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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