Description
Embrace the crisp autumn season with this vibrant and nourishing salad. It combines perfectly roasted, caramelized sweet potatoes with fresh arugula, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and toasted pecans. Finished with a zesty lemon-dijon vinaigrette, this salad provides a perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and sharp flavors. It is a hearty, wholesome dish ideal for a quick lunch or an elegant dinner side, designed to leave you feeling energized and satisfied.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
5 ounces fresh arugula or baby kale, washed and dried
1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/2 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
1/3 cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
Roast the sweet potatoes for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized, turning once halfway through.
While roasting, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until emulsified.
In a large serving bowl, combine the arugula or baby kale with the roasted sweet potatoes.
Top the salad with sliced avocado, crumbled goat cheese, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine.
Notes
You can prep the sweet potatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator to save time. For a vegan option, substitute the goat cheese with plant-based feta or toasted chickpeas. Toast your pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant for extra depth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg