This fall harvest salad is piled high with spiced roasted sweet potatoes, sweet candied walnuts, and tossed in a tangy maple dressing for a gorgeous Thanksgiving salad you won’t be able to get enough of!
So I’ve decided something, y’all. I’ve decided Thanksgiving dinner might just only need to solely consist of this sweet potato salad.
Forget the turkey or the mashed potatoes. Only a mountain-high helping of this salad is needed.
Consider it a proclamation, guys. I’m only looking out for your salad needs.
And those needs officially involve…roasty sweet potato cubes of perfection, equally-perfect homemade candied walnuts, oodles of greens and other fall glory, and obviously tons of tangy maple dressing.
And I mean every-inch-of-salad-is-DRENCHED kinda tons, guys.
^^^ the only way to do salad, FYI.
So there’s not really a whole lot to say about this gorgeous sweet potato salad, guys, except for the that fact that HOLY MOLY it is the bees knees, pretty much the best fall salad you’re ever gonna meet, and seriously make you question why forks weren’t made 10x larger.
^^ I mean, really, why though?
Not only is this salad piled with all the fall luuuuuurve, but it’s freaking gorgeous, guys. Those colors and aaaaaaall that fall flavah’ belongs in your life forever and ever.
24/7 honestly sounds perf to me.
So. We’re all down with a salad Thanksgiving this year? Consider the bird fired and sweet potato salad HIRED.
And promoted to be in my dinner life every freaking night.
Moroccan Sweet Potato Salad with Candied Walnuts + Maple Dressing
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Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced into 1/2-in cubes
- 2 teaspoons Chinese 5-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Walnuts:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts toasted
Salad:
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shavings
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make sweet potatoes: In a small bowl, combine all sweet potato ingredients until evenly coated. Spread onto a greased baking sheet. Roast sweet potatoes at 400F 20 minutes or until very tender. Set aside to cool.
- Make the walnuts: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring butter, sugar, water, and salt to a boil, stirring occasionally until thickened and golden-brown. Remove from heat and stir in walnuts. Immediately spread walnuts onto parchment paper and let set 10 minutes. Break walnuts into clusters and set aside.
- Make the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, spinach, cranberries, Parmesan shavings, roasted sweet potatoes, and candied walnuts. Set aside for a moment.
- Make the dressing: In a mason jar, shake all salad ingredients until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve salad immediately with dressing. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Make sure you try this killer sweet potato casserole next, y’all!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
I have to say, I’m sort of a salad snob. Being the snob that I am, I know for sure that this salad for sure fits my needs and curriculum for being drool-worthy! Tasty fall perfection!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Mmm I think my Thanksgiving dinner needs this sweet potato salad! It looks SO good, Sarah! I would definitely eat this in place of the regular ‘ole casserole. And that maple dressing sounds so perfect!
Ashley - the recipe rebe says
This might be the most gorgeous salad I’ve ever seen Sarah! SO packed with everyone’s favorite fall flavors!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This is fall salad PERFECTION Sarah! I’m totally going nuts for this gorgeous, drool-worthy bowl. Especially loving those roasted sweet potatoes…mm so good! Must try this ASAP.
mira says
This salad looks gorgeous! Perfect for this time of the year!
annie says
I’m just salivating over all the pretty colors here! Full on confession: I’ve never used five spice powder. Must try!
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Mmm this salad is basically fall in a bowl…and it’s gorgeous! Looks delicious, Sarah 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I’ve made sweet potato salad before but this one sounds extra good and it is oh so pretty.
Kelly says
What can you use instead of the Chinese spice blend?
Going to make this for a ladies luncheon I’m
hosting
Sarah says
Hi! Try garam masala or just 1 extra teaspoon cinnamon in place of the 5-spice powder.