There’s something irresistibly fresh and satisfying about a bowl bursting with flavors and textures, and this Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe hits all the right notes. It’s creamy, tangy, nutty, and just a little bit crunchy - trust me, it’s worth adding to your regular salad rotation.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Whenever I make this salad, I’m amazed at how a few simple ingredients come together in such a satisfying way. It’s not your average salad—it's hearty enough for a main dish but effortlessly light and bright on the palate.
- Balance of flavors: The sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes pairs beautifully with the tangy feta and creamy avocado for a harmonious bite every time.
- Easy to prepare: With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
- Versatile dressing: The homemade tahini dressing adds a nutty richness that can be used on other salads and dishes, so it’s a double win!
- Nutritious and filling: Packed with healthy fats from avocado and pepitas, plus fiber-rich sweet potatoes and fresh arugula, this salad keeps you energized without weighing you down.
Ingredients & Why They Work
I love how the ingredients for this Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe complement each other both in taste and texture. When shopping, pick sweet potatoes that are firm and unblemished for the best roasting results, and choose ripe but firm avocados to hold their shape in the salad.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Sweet, tender, and slightly caramelized, they provide a warm, hearty base for the salad.
- Tahini Dressing: Adds a creamy, nutty, and tangy layer of flavor that ties everything together.
- Arugula: Peppery and crisp, arugula offers a fresh contrast to roasted sweet potatoes’ softness.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese: Its salty tang brightens the dish and adds a creamy crumble.
- Avocado: Creamy and rich, avocado brings a buttery texture that balances the bright and earthy flavors.
- Lemon Wedge: A quick squeeze brightens the avocado and lifts all the flavors.
- Toasted Pepitas: Nutty, crunchy pumpkin seeds that add texture and a bit of earthy depth.
- Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all ingredients’ natural flavors.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I enjoy most about this Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to experiment—it’s forgiving and rewarding!
- Variation: I’ve swapped arugula for baby spinach or kale and loved the change in texture and flavor when I wanted a milder green.
- Protein Boost: Adding grilled chicken or chickpeas turns this salad into a full-on meal that's perfect for lunch.
- Nut-Free: If you’re avoiding tahini or nuts, try using a lemony yogurt dressing instead – it still pairs beautifully with the sweet potatoes and avocado.
- Seasonal Twist: In cooler months, I add roasted beets or swap pepitas for toasted walnuts to keep things interesting and festive.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Roast Sweet Potatoes to Perfection
Start by roasting your sweet potatoes. I like to peel them first, then cut into even chunks so they cook uniformly. Toss with a little olive oil and sea salt, then spread out on a baking sheet. Roast in a 400°F (200°C) oven for about 25 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender inside and caramelized at the edges. This slow roasting brings out their natural sweetness and adds that irresistible browned flavor you want.
Step 2: Whip Up the Tahini Dressing
While the sweet potatoes roast, mix your tahini dressing. It’s as simple as combining tahini paste with fresh lemon juice, a little garlic, warm water to thin, and a pinch of salt. Whisk it all together until silky smooth. The dressing should be creamy but pourable—if it’s too thick, add more water one teaspoon at a time.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
On a large serving platter, spread out the arugula and drizzle a little tahini dressing over it to coat lightly. Layer the roasted sweet potatoes and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese. Add sliced avocado on top and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the avocado to prevent browning and add brightness. Drizzle more tahini dressing across the whole salad, then finish with toasted pepitas for crunch. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and serve immediately for the best texture contrast.
Top Tip
Having made this Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe many times, a few tricks have really helped me nail the perfect balance and texture every time.
- Roasting Evenly: Cut your sweet potatoes into uniform pieces for consistent roasting; uneven chunks can lead to some pieces burning while others stay undercooked.
- Tahini Smoothing: If your tahini dressing thickens up, don’t despair—warm water mixed in gradually is your best friend to get a creamy, pourable consistency.
- Avocado Squeeze: Always squeeze fresh lemon juice on sliced avocado immediately to keep it vibrant green and fresh without turning brown.
- Crunch Factor: Toast pepitas just before serving to maximize their crunch and nutty aroma, making your salad pop with contrast.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle extra toasted pepitas for texture and some finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a fresh herbal note. Sometimes a few chili flakes work wonders if you like a hint of heat—it really wakes up the creamy tahini and sweet potatoes.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats like chicken or lamb, or you can serve it alongside warm flatbreads or pita for scooping up every last bit of tahini and salad. For a complete vegetarian meal, I like to add a dollop of hummus or roasted eggplant on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I’ve arranged this salad in individual bowls layered like a beautiful salad jar—arugula first, then sweet potatoes, then feta and avocado on top. It looks gorgeous and guests love mixing it themselves. You can also fill lettuce cups with this salad for fun handheld bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep avocado sliced fresh by adding a little lemon juice before storing. The salad is best eaten chilled or at room temperature rather than cold, so I take it out 15 minutes before serving.
Freezing
This salad isn’t the best candidate for freezing because the avocado and fresh greens lose their texture. I recommend making fresh batches of the salad and dressing when you need them instead.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy warm sweet potatoes, reheat them separately in the oven or microwave before tossing with the salad ingredients. Avoid reheating the whole salad as it can wilt the greens and change the avocado texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! The tahini dressing keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just give it a good whisk before using as it may thicken after chilling.
No worries! You can substitute toastedsunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, or even slivered almonds for pepitas. They’ll all add a nice crunch and nutty flavor.
Yes! Simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with crumbled tofu or a vegan cheese alternative to keep the creamy, tangy element in the salad.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly on the avocado slices as soon as you cut them and before adding them to the salad. This helps slow browning and keeps the avocado looking fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes not just because it’s delicious, but because it’s so effortlessly good for you and endlessly customizable. I hope you’ll give it a try soon—there’s something truly comforting and vibrant about this combination that I think you’ll keep coming back to, just like I do.
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Sweet Potato Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Tahini Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant and nutritious Sweet Potato Salad featuring roasted sweet potatoes, peppery arugula, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and crunchy toasted pepitas, all brought together with a flavorful tahini dressing and a touch of fresh lemon juice. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for dinner.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 roasted sweet potatoes
- 4 cups arugula
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 lemon wedge, for squeezing
- 3 tablespoons toasted pepitas
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tahini Dressing
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2-4 tablespoons water to thin dressing as needed
Instructions
- Prepare Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, toss with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Make Tahini Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup or honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add water gradually, whisking until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Assemble the Salad: On a large platter or salad bowl, arrange the arugula. Drizzle a little tahini dressing over the greens. Top with the roasted sweet potatoes and sprinkle the crumbled feta evenly.
- Add Avocado and Finish: Arrange the sliced avocado on top of the salad. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the avocado to enhance flavor and prevent browning. Drizzle more tahini dressing over everything.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted pepitas on top for crunch. Season with additional sea salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Roasting sweet potatoes brings out their natural sweetness and provides a pleasant caramelized flavor.
- If you prefer a nut-free dressing, substitute tahini with sunflower seed butter.
- Toast pepitas in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant to enhance their flavor.
- Use ripe avocado for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
- This salad can be served warm or at room temperature depending on your preference.
- For a vegan option, omit feta or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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