On the table in 30 minutes and perfect for a BBQ or lunch with friends, this healthy Quinoa and Roast Sweet Potato Salad with Feta is easy to put together and completely delicious!
In under a month, we will return to France for holidays. It feels like yesterday that we left. I still recall every nuance as if it were the day before. In my mind, the Pyrenees is abundant in waterfalls, morelle mushrooms waiting to be plucked and my two cats, Mango and Carentan, sunbathing in unblemished skies. It’s been two years since I’ve felt their fur against my face and the vibrations of their purr beneath their plump bellies. Will they remember me? Tears draw to my eyes considering the latter.
In a way, I’m fearful to return. It will mean another series of “au revoirs” – I was never good at saying goodbye.
I miss everything about living there. The streets overflowing in history, freshly baked baguettes and the endless luncheons. I joke to my fiancé that I won’t return. That I’ll lock myself up in his family’s Paris apartment and spend my days reading, attending French classes and drinking wine. His eyes dance, he draws me closer and kisses my forehead endearingly. He knows I’m not joking.
While the weeks melt away into an abyss and our trip approaches, so too does the seasons. In Australia, I’ve recovered my woollen sweaters from under the bed. And I’ve watched as juicy strawberries, mangos and avocados disappear from the market stalls. They are replaced by apples and oranges, fresh from Stanthorpe, and sweet potatoes. Taking them home in the handfuls, I’ve created this comforting and healthy sweet potato salad recipe. It’s easy to prepare and completely delicious. What I love is how the orange zest unites elegantly with the earthy quinoa.
What’s your favourite Autumn dish? I would love to hear in the comments section below. 🙂
Quinoa & Sweet Potato Salad Tips & FAQ
Traditionally, sweet potato salad is a middle eastern salad prepared using sweet potato, olive oil, garlic, ginger, cinnamon spices and served with raisins.
To transform this dish as a main serving, I adapted the recipe to included nourishing quinoa, organic feta and a tart orange salad dressing. I empower you to mix it up a bit, experiment with the ingredients you have available and make the recipe your own.
Sweet potato salad is very easy to prepare and have on the table in under 30 minutes. The key is to prepare your ingredients in advance, and cook them at the same time.
First, while the quinoa is cooking on the stove, roast 2 sweet potatoes with your favourite spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric and cinnamon.
Meanwhile, crumble the feta and prepare your salad dressing of choice. By the time the quinoa has finished cooking and the sweet potatoes have finished roasting, it’s simply a matter of tossing everything together and enjoying the salad for lunch or with friends.
For detailed step-by-step instructions, read my recipe card below.
The secret to any great salad is it’s salad dressing!
For a richer salad perfect for winter you could include a vegan mayonnaise. For a creamy “no mayo” sweet potato salad alternative, this lemon tahini dressing would be perfect.
My favourite dressing for sweet potato salad however, is a simple orange dressing with toasted spices. It’s easy to put together, it’s fresh and it pairs perfectly with the creamy feta.
Simply combine the zest and juice of 1 orange with double the amount of extra virgin olive oil and your favourite toasted spices like cumin and turmeric.
I love experimenting with recipes to establish different tastes and textures. My favourite tried and tested variations of this Healthy Sweet Potato Salad Recipe are:
– Sweet Potato Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing;
– Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberries;
– Black Sweet and Sweet Potato Salad;
– Sweet Potato Salad with Raisins or Pomegranate; and
– Sweet Potato Salad with Avocado.
– Sweet Potato Salad with Kale or Spinach.
Healthy Quinoa and Roast Sweet Potato Salad
Ingredients
Roast Sweet Potato Salad
- 1 cup tri-colour quinoa washed and rinsed
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander, cinnamon and turmeric
- salt and pepper (to season)
- 2 medium organic sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into 2cm cubes
- 1/3 cup almonds
- 125 g feta or vegan equivalent (optional) crumbled
Sweet Potato Salad Dressing
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander, cinnamon and turmeric
- 1 organic orange zest and juiced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- cilantro (to garnish)
Instructions
Roast Sweet Potato Salad
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celcius.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, cook the quinoa covered for 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
- Meanwhile, in a lined baking tray mix the cubed sweet potato with the extra virgin olive oil, cumin seeds, ground coriander, cinnamon and turmeric. Season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for approximately 25 minutes until the sweet potato is golden and slightly caramelised.
- Within the last 5 minutes of roasting the sweet potato, scatter the almonds in the baking tray with the sweet potatoes and roast for a further 5 minutes until the almonds are lightly toasted.
- Tossing gently, combine the roast sweet potato with the quinoa, crumbled feta and toasted almonds.
Sweet Potato Salad Dressing
- In a small saucepan, toast the ground cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon and turmeric for a minute until fragrant. Remove.
- In a small jar, combine the orange juice, orange zest, extra virgin olive oil and spices.
- Drizzle the Orange Salad Dressing over the Quinoa and Roast Sweet Potato Salad. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve. Bon Appètit! 🙂
Notes
Nutrition
HAVE YOU PREPARED THIS RECIPE?
Let me know in the comments section below, or by tagging #CuratedLifeKitchen on Instagram! I love to see what people have created! 🙂
Sweet Potato, Spinach & Quinoa Salad with Feta v.02 – January 2020
Roasted Sweet Potato, Ancient Grain & Quinoa Salad v.01 – May 2018
Hey There, I’m Kylie. My passion is plant-based recipes and I want to help you create something gorgeous!
I believe in taking a slow approach to food – to eat locally, seasonally and consciously.
When I’m not taking photos, you can find me wandering the coastal paths of South-East Australia.
Bespoke Traveler says
Your colors are always so beautifully composed. Having grown up not too far from farms which were abundant with pumpkins, apples, and (further afield) cranberry bogs, these are always the ingredients that bring back autumn for me. Bonnes vacances! Profitez de vos journées sous le soleil des Pyrénées.
Kylie (Author) says
Thank you so much for your comment! I am sure I will love every moment being back in France!
Beth says
This looks absolutely delicious. I’ve been doing no grains the last month or so but want to slowly start incorporating some back into my diet to see how I do. Sweet potatoes have definitely been my carb go-to! So combining that staple with some ancient grains might just be the perfect transition. Thanks for sharing!
Kylie (Author) says
Thank you so much for your comment Beth!
Have you tried soaking your grains in water for 24 hours with a little apple cider vinegar? I know it can help aide with digestion!
Kansas says
This looks like a new option that i’m going to show my husband, he loves sweet potato and loves making new things in the kitchen. I think he will enjoy this.
Kylie (Author) says
Thanks for your comment Kansas! I hope you and your husband enjoy this dish as much as we do!
kumamonjeng says
This looks like a very healthy recipe – sweet potatos and ancient grain salad.
I like how the handful of coriander, spinach and mint are added when it’s served. These are my favorite herbs and vegetables!
Kylie (Author) says
Thanks for your comment Kumamonjeng! I love spinach, mint and coriander too!
Adriana says
YUMMY!! I am always looking for a new salad to make or try and this is defiantly on my to do list
Kylie (Author) says
Thanks for your comment Adriana! I would love to hear how it goes!
Elizabeth O says
This sweet potato salad looks so delicious. Definitely one to try in these warmer months. You photography is absolutely perfect too, it looks great.
Kylie (Author) says
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment Elizabeth!
Regine L. says
I love sweet potato! This looks scrumptious! The pictures really highlight the beauty of the food!
Kelly says
Wow, this recipe looks and sounds so divine! I love sweet potato and the other ingredients would work so well in this dish, I need to make it!
Your photography is gorgeous too.
Kylie (Author) says
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Kelly! I would love to hear how it goes! 🙂
Britney says
I would love to make this with a vegan yogurt. It made my mouth water while reading it. This sounds like a great filling salad!
Esme Sy says
Oh wow, everything looks so nice and I give it a perfect score just from the presentation itself! It’s summer here and I think this will still be a great dish for my weekend. The girls here love salad like this!
Megan says
I want to make this for lunch this weekend– what a great looking recipe! I just started getting into sweet potato recently, so this looks tooooo good.
Rachel says
This looks delicious, would love to have this as a lunch dish.
Natalie says
That looks so beautiful and delicious! I just found out I”m allergic to almonds so I would have to leave that out, but I don’t think it would take away too much. Adding this to my list of recipes to try!
Bindu Thomas says
Thank you for the detailed recipe for the delicious sweet potato salad. I’ll definitely add this to my to-do list.
Kylie - Curated Life Studio says
My pleasure Bindu, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Geneviève says
Sweet Potatoes are some of my favorites!!! I have never had quinoa before because my body won’t allow for it!
Kylie - Curated Life Studio says
That’s a shame! You can substitute the quinoa for something else or omit it completely – the recipe is delicious without it too! 🙂
Jon Maldia says
Adding this to my recipe list. Thanks!
Kylie - Curated Life Studio says
My pleasure! I hope you enjoy it Jon! 🙂
Bella says
Yumm this looks so tasty!! I love salad and from someone who is very allergic to gluten this is totally up my lane!!
Kylie - Curated Life Studio says
Awesome, I hope you enjoy it Bella! 🙂
Rose Ann Sales says
Wow,this looks nice! Sweet potatoes sounds great for a salad.
Kylie - Curated Life Studio says
Thanks so much Rose! Sweet Potatoes are delicious in salads!
tweenselmom says
I have a pack of quinoa in my pantry that I’d love to use. I also miss sweet potato. I’ve bookmarked this recipe and I’m definitely trying it this week.