Kale and sweet potato salad is simple to make and boasts lots of flavor, color, and texture! Vibrant kale pairs with roasted sweet potatoes and a delicious orange maple dressing.
I’ve been enjoying this salad for the last 10 years or so, and it always tastes best when the weather starts cooling off and I want to add cinnamon to everything.
Kale and sweet potatoes are one of my favorite combos. The sweetness of the sweet potato pairs so well with the slight bitterness in the kale, and you can change them up with whatever dressing you decide.
This is really the perfect simple fall salad. You only need a few staple ingredients to make it, and there isn’t a ton of prep or active cooking.
Serve this fall salad for dinner alongside your favorite protein or keep it in the fridge all week for an easy lunch.
Kale and sweet potato salad ingredients
- Kale
- Sweet potatoes
- Red onion
- Walnuts
- Goat cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
How to make kale and sweet potato salad
- Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large baking sheet. Bake 30-45 minutes at 375ºF.
- In a large bowl, add kale, a few drops of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Using your hands, massage the oil into the kale until it is dark and softened.
- Divide kale, sweet potatoes, onion, walnuts, and goat cheese amongst 4 plates and top with orange maple dressing.
Orange maple dressing ingredients
- Olive oil
- Orange zest
- Orange juice
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Salt & pepper
How to make orange maple dressing
- Add olive oil, orange juice, orange zest, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon to a small mason jar and seal tightly. Shake the jar until everything is combined.
Top tips
How to make the best kale salad
Remove the stems – I usually just hold a kale leaf in one hand and run my other hand down the stalk to remove the leaf from the stem. Sometimes this takes a few swipes, or more careful plucking. You could also cut the stem out, or they make tools like this one to help remove the stem.
Cut it small – I like to cut my kale into pretty small, bite sized pieces. Shredding it would also be a great option. This cuts down on the amount of chewing you need to do so you don’t get tired of eating before you get full.
Massage it – Massaging kale can help break down some of the fibers and make it easier to chew and digest. It can also help reduce the bitterness.
The best way to zest an orange
I love my Deiss microplane (affiliate link) for zesting citrus. You can either hold the microplane at an angle with the tip against a cutting board and run the orange along it on all sides, or hold the orange in your non-dominant hand and use your other hand to move the microplane over the surface to collect the zest.
Always zest your orange before cutting into it, or it will be very difficult.
How to store
This will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I recommend only dressing the amount of salad you’re going to eat and storing the salad and dressing separately in the refrigerator.
Tips for customizing kale and sweet potato salad
- Add a scoop of cooked quinoa or wild rice
- Swap the goat cheese for feta or shredded gruyere, or leave it out to make it vegan and dairy free
- Use a store bought dressing instead of making your own, or try the tahini dressing from my warm kale and quinoa salad
- Top with roasted chickpeas or your favorite protein
- Sprinkle with pepitas or sunflower seeds
FAQ
Curly kale is easy to find and work with. That is what I used for this salad. Lacinato kale is also delicious and would be a fine substitute in this recipe.
Not all goat cheese is vegetarian. Be sure to check the label and look for vegetable rennet, not animal rennet, if this is important to you.
More salad recipes
- Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Vegetarian Autumn Grain Bowl
- Winter Salad with Butternut Squash
- Rainbow Quinoa Salad
- Southwest Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- High Protein Fresh Vegan Salad with Hummus
- Healthy Green Salad with Sriracha Peanut Dressing
- Vegan Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Tofu
- Israeli Couscous Salad with Pistachio Pesto
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
Ingredients
Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
- 2-3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus a few drops for the kale
- Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 5-6 cups stemmed kale, chopped
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Orange Maple Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Zest and juice of one orange
- 1 ½ tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
Instructions
Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Arrange the sweet potatoes on a large baking sheet in a single layer and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil until lightly coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast until lightly browned and soft, tossing once or twice, 30-45 minutes.
- In a large bowl, add the kale along with a few drops of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the olive oil into the kale with your hands for a few minutes until dark and softened.
- To arrange the salad, divide kale, onion, goat cheese, walnuts, and sweet potato amongst four plates. Drizzle dressing over the top, toss to coat, and serve.
Orange Maple Dressing
- Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, orange juice and zest, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon if using. I like to stick it in a mason jar and shake, or you could whisk it all together in a small bowl.
Notes
Tips for customizing kale and sweet potato salad
- Add a scoop of cooked quinoa or wild rice
- Swap the goat cheese for feta or shredded gruyere, or leave it out to make it vegan and dairy free
- Use a store bought dressing instead of making your own, or try the tahini dressing from my warm kale and quinoa salad
- Top with roasted chickpeas or your favorite protein
- Sprinkle with pepitas or sunflower seeds
Elena Eason says
This recipe was absolutely delicious. The only change I made was with the dressing and used honey instead of maple syrup.
Lindsay Moe says
Great swap! I’m glad you enjoyed it.