Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
A vibrant vegan salad combining roasted sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas with a zesty citrus vinaigrette and fresh herbs. This african-inspired new year (vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs black-eyed peas (cooked), diced red bell pepper, finely diced red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 2 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
- 1 1/2 cups black-eyed peas (cooked)
- 1 cup, diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp, freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 medium peeled and cubed sweet potatoes (about 1 lb) with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, turning halfway until tender and lightly browned.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp maple syrup, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Add the roasted sweet potatoes to the black-eyed pea mixture, pour the citrus vinaigrette over all, and toss gently to combine. Chill for 15 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Citrus 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 black-eyed peas (cooked) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Citrus 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 Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Citrus 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 Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a light yet satisfying New Year meal. The black-eyed peas added a lovely earthiness that balanced the sweet potatoes.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My kids even ate the sweet potatoes without complaining—such a healthy and delicious twist for the holidays.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my New Year's Eve dinner—it was a vibrant, flavorful hit! The citrus vinaigrette tied everything together perfectly.